Netflix commissions adaptation of 14th century story collection The Decameron

Netflix has commissioned a soapy adaptation of the 14th century short story collection The Decameron.

Jenji Kohan

The eight-part period drama comes from creator and showrunner Kathleen Jordan (Teenage Bounty Hunters, American Princess) and is produced by Orange Is the New Black creator Jenji Kohan, who has an overall deal with the streamer.

Written by Giovanni Boccaccio and first published in Italian in the 14th century, The Decameron takes place in 1348 and follows a group of nobles taking shelter near Florence at the height of the Black Death plague. In order to pass the time, they take turns to tell witty and debaucherous stories.

The series will have a similar premise, said Netflix, but with a twist: as time goes on, the liquor and riches run out and the nobles collapse into a struggle for survival.

Jordan is executive producing alongside Kohan, Blake McCormick and Tara Herrmann. Mike Uppendahl, whose credits include Ratched and American Crime Story, will direct.