Matthias Schoenaerts stars as Django in the new ten-part series being made by CANAL+ Création Originale and Sky Original

Billed as a high-concept reimagining of the classic Western Django (loosely based on the Sergio Corbucci feature film) starring Matthias Schoenaerts (The Danish Girl, The Mustang, Bullhead, Rust and Bone), Django promises a fresh new take on the Western genre with a contemporary and psychological twist.

The first episodes will be directed by Francesca Comencini (Gomorrah the Series), who will also be the series’ artistic director. Django was created and written by Leonardo Fasoli (Gomorrah the Series, ZeroZeroZero) and Maddalena Ravagli (Gomorrah the Series), who, together, also co-wrote the series treatment with Francesco Cenni and Michele Pellegrini, with two episodes written by Max Hurwitz (ZeroZeroZero, Manhunt).

The announcement (courtesy Sky) sets the context for the series:

The Wild West in the 1860s and 1870s. Sarah and John have founded New Babylon, a city of outcasts, full of men and women of all backgrounds, races and creeds, that welcomes everyone with open arms.

Haunted by the murder of his family eight years earlier, Django is still looking for his daughter, believing she may have survived the killing. He is shocked to find her in New Babylon, about to marry John. But Sarah, now a grown woman, wants him to leave, as she fears he will put New Babylon in jeopardy if he stays. However, Django, believing the city is in danger, is adamant that he will not lose his daughter twice.

We’ll bring you word on further casting and release dates as they emerge.