It’s not every day that you see the words ‘survival drama’, ‘lavish Italian villa’ and ‘the Black Death’ used in the same sentence – but there’s a first time for everything, right?

That’s what we imagine the people at Netflix said when they decided to make a twisted adaptation of The Decameron – Giovanni Boccaccio’s 14th century short story collection that follows a group of nobles and their servants as they escape Black Death-ridden Florence to lounge in a lavish Italian villa.

In the short story collection, the group passes the time by telling each other stories – but the new adaptation doesn’t quite stop there. Keep reading to find out everything we know about the series so far, including the star-studded cast members who will be front and centre.  

Netflix’s eight-part version of The Decameron takes on a similar premise as the original, but adds a Lord Of The Flies-esque twist into the mix as the show continues. 

Indeed, as the synopsis reads: “Based on Giovanni Boccaccio’s short story collection originally published in the mid-14th century, the upcoming series follows a group of nobles and their servants who flee to a grand villa to escape the Black Death in 1348. 

“As the city of Florence succumbs to the plague, this exclusive handful of invites indulge in a wine-soaked and debaucherous holiday as they wait out the deadly pandemic. However, this lavish retreat in the Italian countryside quickly descends into madness as they all scramble for survival.”

Speaking to Netflix’s Tulum, Jessica Plummer, who plays noble Filomena, said, “Think, like, Love Island, but back in the day. A lot of drama, a lot of sex, a lot of, yeah, craziness.”

Consider us intrigued.

The Decameron boasts an extensive and impressive cast. 

Derry Girls’ Saoirse Monica-Jackson, who will be playing a servant called Misia, is one of the most exciting names on the list. Other names on the cast list include Sex Education’s Tanya Reynolds, The Girl Before’s Jessica Plummer and The Flight Attendant’s Zosia Mamet. You can check out the full list of actors, including the details of the characters they’ll be playing, below.

• Willow’s Amar Chadha-Patel as Dioneo, a cocksure physician who sits in the frustrating limbo between the upper and lower classes.
• I Hate Suzie’s Leila Farzad as Stratilia, the stalwart backbone of the villa who works hard to protect her secrets and stay out of the chaos.
• Julia’s Lou Gala as Neifile, a God-fearing and highly libidinous woman who has a deeply transformative time at the villa.
• I May Destroy You’s Karan Gill as Panfilo, the charming and cunning son of a prominent political family who ends up becoming a formidable presence at the villa.
• Veep’s Tony Hale as Sirisco, the villa’s steward who is affable, ill-prepared and eager to please. 
• Derry Girls’ Saoirse-Monica Jackson as Misia, the co-dependent servant of Pampinea, who derives much self-worth from pleasing her demanding master.
• The Flight Attendant’s Zosia Mamet as Pampinea, the soon-to-be lady of the villa, who is full of hope but lacking in self-awareness.
• Harlots’ Douggie McMeekin as Tindaro, a rich noble from a prominent family, who has an insufferable attitude and blunt disdain for women. 
• The Girl Before’s Jessica Plummer as Filomena, the last surviving child of her noble family with a chip on her shoulder.
• Sex Education’s Tanya Reynolds as Licisca, an obedient yet unpredictable servant with a heart of bronze, whose life has been dominated by her work – until now.

The team behind The Decameron is just as exciting as the cast. 

The soapy adaptation of the iconic short story collection is being led by creator and showrunner Kathleen Jordan (Teenage Bounty Hunters) and is being produced through Jenji Kohan’s (Orange Is the New Black) company, Tilted Productions. 

Is there a trailer for The Decameron?

Yes, Netflix has dropped the first trailer and we could hardly keep up. Clearly, this show is going to be a frenzied, wine-soaked romp in the Italian countryside, filled with everything from romance to partying to outrageous headpieces to murder. 

The Decameron is due to land on Netflix on 25 July.

Images: Getty