Django (TV series)

Django

Company type	Television series
Industry	Entertainment
Founded	2023 (2023)
Founder	Leonardo Fasoli, Maddalena Ravagli
Headquarters	Italy, France
Products	Television series
Parent	Sky Atlantic, Canal+

Django is a Western television series developed by Leonardo Fasoli and Maddalena Ravagli, directed by Francesca Comencini, and jointly produced by Sky Atlantic and Canal+. This English-language adaptation reinterprets the 1966 Italian movie originally directed by Sergio Corbucci. The show consists of ten episodes and debuted on Canal+ in France on February 13, 2023, followed by its release on Sky Atlantic in Italy on February 17, 2023, and later on Sky Atlantic in the United Kingdom on March 1, 2023.

Premise

Taking place during the 1860s and 1870s in the Old West, the narrative centers on Django, who arrives in New Babylon—a city established by John Ellis that serves as a refuge for society’s outcasts. After losing his family to murder eight years prior, Django has been relentlessly searching for his daughter Sarah. Upon locating her in New Babylon, where she is engaged to Ellis, Django faces Sarah’s apprehension about his arrival potentially causing conflict. Nevertheless, he is resolute in his desire to reunite with her and remain in the city.

Main

• Matthias Schoenaerts portrays Julian Wright / Django, a man on a quest to find his daughter following the murder of his family.
• Nicholas Pinnock plays John Ellis, the founder of New Babylon, a sanctuary for marginalized individuals. Cache Vanderpuye appears as a young John in flashback sequences.
• Lisa Vicari features as Sarah Wright, Django’s daughter who is betrothed to Ellis. Maya Kelly depicts Sarah during her younger years.
• Noomi Rapace takes on the role of Elizabeth Thurman / The Lady, a fierce adversary of John Ellis and former childhood acquaintance. Millie Ryder appears as young Elizabeth.

Recurring

• Jyuddah Jaymes as Seymour Ellis
• Benny O. Arthur as Kevin Ellis
• Eric Kole as Phillip Ellis
• Joshua J Parker as Adam Thurman
• Camille Dugay Comencini as Margaret Wright
• Tom Austen as Elijah Turner
• Emeline Lambert as Caroline Turner
• Oleksandr Rudynskyi as Spencer Forrest
• Haris Salihovic as Blaine Forrest
• Abigail Thorn as Jess
• Romario Simpson as Reuben Morgan
• Tobi Ibitoye as Harry
• Antal Edgar Miklos as Guardian
• Dakota Trancher Williams as Aaron
• Franco Nero as Reverend
• Slavko Sobin as Isaac Borowka

Development

Announced in April 2015, this series represents an Italian-French collaboration between Sky Italia/Sky Studios and Canal+, with development handled by Cattleya and Atlantique Productions. Initially conceived as twelve episodes of approximately fifty minutes each with potential continuation beyond the first season, Maddalena Ravagli crafted the treatment alongside Francesco Cenni and Michele Pellegrini. The storyline is loosely inspired by the 1966 film Django, directed by Sergio Corbucci. Ravagli co-created and scripted the series with Leonardo Fasoli. Direction of the opening episodes and artistic oversight were assigned to Francesca Comencini.

Casting

In February 2021, Matthias Schoenaerts was confirmed to star as Django. By May 2021, additional casting announcements included actors such as Noomi Rapace, Nicholas Pinnock, and Lisa Vicari, among others.

Filming

The production collaborated with Frame Film, a studio based in Bucharest, to shoot scenes in Romania. Although filming was initially planned to span from November 2020 through December 2021, preparatory work commenced in February 2021. To facilitate shooting, the crew closed off the Racoș volcano region to tourists without prior announcement, causing interruptions to local tourism. Django represents the most extensive television project ever undertaken in Romania, taking advantage of the country's cash rebate programs and its prompt reopening to international film crews, which allowed vaccinated staff to work without quarantine.

Set designer Paki Meduri recreated New Babylon in Racoș by employing authentic period techniques to evoke an Old West atmosphere. Principal photography started in May 2021 with an anticipated duration of six months, including additional filming locations such as Bucharest and areas along the Danube River.

Release

The series debuted with its first two episodes at the Rome Film Festival on October 16, 2022. It premiered on Canal+ in France on February 13, 2023, followed shortly by its launch on Sky Atlantic in Italy on February 17, 2023. Subsequently, it became available on SBS On Demand in Australia starting February 23, 2023, and later aired on Sky Atlantic in the United Kingdom from March 1, 2023.

Reception

Rebecca Nicholson of The Guardian characterized the series as a brutal and absurd take on the Western genre. Meanwhile, Ralph Jones from NME pointed out issues with uneven quality and found the inconsistent actor accents distracting throughout the show.