El Rey Network in association with FactoryMade Ventures, today announced the production start of From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series, the first scripted original to air on Robert Rodriguez’s new genre-busting cable network set to debut this December. Based on his cult classic film of the same name, the supernatural crime saga, hour-long series (which will premiere on El Rey Network in Q1 2014) began filming in Austin this week with Rodriguez set to direct the first two installments.

The 10-episode serialized drama, created, directed and executive produced by Rodriguez (Sin City, Machete, Desperado) and based on the 1996 cult classic he created with Quentin Tarantino, will feature a principal cast including: D.J. Cotrona (Dear John, G.I. Joe: Retaliation) as Seth Gecko, the role that famously launched the film career of George Clooney. Zane Holtz (Holes, The Perks of Being a Wallflower) stars as Richie Gecko, and Jesse Garcia (Quinceañera, Sons of Anarchy) plays Texas Ranger Freddie Gonzalez, a new character created for the series. Don Johnson (Django Unchained, Nash Bridges) joins in a recurring role as Sheriff Earl McGraw. Other cast will be announced in the coming weeks. Miramax, producing studio and distributor of the original film, is distributing the series internationally in all territories with the exception of Canada, China, India and UK.

Rodriguez said: “If the movie’s the short story, the series is the novel.” He added: “We have assembled an amazing cast and crew, and viewers can expect to be part of a wild ride when the series premieres on El Rey Network next spring.”

Rodriguez is joined in the Executive Producer ranks by Carlos Coto (who is also showrunner); and FactoryMade Ventures and El Rey Network co-founders John Fogelman and Cristina Patwa. Diego Gutierrez is writer and co-executive producer. The gritty look and feel of the series will be brought to life by production designers Steve Joyner and Caylah Eddleblute, set designer Jeff Adams, director of photography Eduardo Mayén and costume designer Nina Proctor. Special effects team will be spearheaded by Bob Trevino.

Based on the thrill-ride film, From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series is a supernatural crime saga centered around bank robber, Seth Gecko (Cotrona) and his violent, unpredictable brother, Richard “Richie” Gecko (Holtz), who are wanted by the FBI and Texas Rangers Earl McGraw (Johnson) and Freddie Gonzalez (Garcia) after a bank heist left several people dead. While on an escape route to Mexico, Seth and Richie encounter former minister Jacob Fuller and his family who they take hostage. Using the family RV to make a run for the Mexican border, chaos ensues when the group detours to a strip club that is unknowingly populated by vampires, and forces them to fight until dawn in order to get out alive. The series deepens the tone of the film, adds new characters and backstories and expands the Mesoamerican mythology behind the vampires.

From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series is an El Rey Network production in association with FactoryMade Ventures.