For years now, Nicolas Winding Refn has been attached to a TV reboot of “Barbarella,” which is set up over at Amazon Studios but has yet to get going. But he’s not giving up on the small screen, and he’s got another project brewing, one that’s both surprising and intriguing.
Variety reports that Refn has been tapped as the showrunner for an Italian noir series titled “Les Italiens.” Based on the book series by Enrico Pandiani, the show will follow an all-Italian group of policemen working in Paris’ Quai des Orfevres headquarters, and their tough and violent inspector, Pierre Mordenti. Sounds like gritty stuff, and getting the ball rolling will be Refn, who will direct the first entry in the series, then take the reins as showrunner for the 8- to 10-episode first season.
Netflix are reportedly in talks to pick up the show, and given their huge international reach it sounds like a good fit. No word yet on when this might roll, but let’s hope it doesn’t get stuck in development hell.
Nicolas Winding Refn showrunner for Italian noir cop show ‘Les Italiens,’ Netflix in talks for show
