You are cordially invited to a wine-soaked sex romp in the Italian countryside. 

From creator and showrunner Kathleen Jordan (Teenage Bounty Hunters, American Princess) — and loosely inspired by the iconic short story collection of the same name — comes the soapy dark comedy The Decameron, streaming on Netflix now. 

The series examines the all-too-timely theme of class struggles in the season of a pandemic, as a cast of misfits tries to outlast the bubonic plague pandemic in 1348 Florence. The Decameron stars Tony Hale, Zosia Mamet, Saoirse-Monica Jackson, Tanya Reynolds, and more.

Read on for everything you need to know about the eight-episode series.

What’s The Decameron about?

First published in Italy in the mid-14th century, Giovanni Boccaccio’s The Decameron tells the story of a group of nobles and their servants sheltering in the grand Villa Santa outside Florence as the Black Death rages in 1348. To pass the time, they take turns telling each other stories that range from witty to debauched. The series has a similar premise, but with a twist right out of Lord of the Flies — as time goes on and social rules wear thin, the orgy of riches and liquor collapses into a struggle for survival. Wealthy citizens escaping a plague by engaging in a lavish and insular display of wealth? Doesn’t sound like this could be relevant at all! 

Jordan took Bocaccio’s The Decameron as a loose framework. But the germination of the project came from wanting to explore themes of class disparity. “And when at times of crisis, the chasm between the haves and the have-nots grows wider and wider,” said Jordan.

But it’s not all dour plague at Villa Santa. Jessica Plummer, who plays noble Filomena, compared the antics and silliness of the comedy series to a reality show. “Think, like, Love Island, but back in the day,” she said. “A lot of drama, a lot of sex, a lot of, yeah, craziness.”

What is The Decameron based on?

Loosely inspired by Bocaccio’s collection, the series really stemmed from Jordan’s interest in the bubonic plague, which sparked when she was in fourth grade. In fifth grade, she did a book report on medieval torture devices. In 10th grade, she did a project on serial killers. “I was a bit of a dark child,” she says. “Honestly, I had a bit of a Wednesday vibe.”

Jordan pulled character names from Bocaccio for the series, but during writing sessions, the series became its own thing. She and her team delved into history to understand day-to-day medieval life. To inform story and joke ideas in the series, they read books about the plague in Florence.

Where can I watch The Decameron trailer?

Up top! The pestilence of the Black Plague is everywhere in 1348 Firenze. But a few weeks in the Italian countryside can do wonders for one’s health. At least, that’s what the trailer for The Decameron offers its guests at Villa Santa. Watch the trailer above to see Firenze’s finest attempt to eat, drink, and move into a bright new future. Just don’t expect them to live by the laws of civility.

Who’s in The Decameron cast?

A cast of comedy all-stars — including Tony Hale (Veep, Being the Ricardos), Zosia Mamet (The Flight Attendant, Girls), Saoirse-Monica Jackson (Derry Girls), and many more — make up the motley set of aristocrats and misfits that descend upon the Villa Santa. To get a closer look at each reveler and their character posters, check out Tudum’s cast guide here. 

The Decameron Pronunciations 101

How do you pronounce the characters’ names in The Decameron?

On behalf of The Decameron cast, Hale would like to apologize to the Italian community for butchering the names in the video above. Learn how to pronounce each guest at Villa Santa’s name — along with the cast — now. It may feel “like a test,” as Amar Chadha-Patel says, but don’t worry, it’s all part of the fun!

Why do The Decameron actors speak in their own accents?

When you watch the series, you’ll notice that every actor uses their native accent for their character. Jordan thought it made more sense for each actor to bring their own accent, rather than learn the “only logical accent” for the series, which would be Italian.

To have the actors speaks in their voices telegraphs race blind casting early on for viewers and urges them to look past the surface early on in the series.

Watch The Decameron Season 1 Teaser

Where can I watch a teaser for The Decameron?

Right here! Set to New Order’s “Blue Monday,” it’s revelry galore for the guests of Villa Santa in the first teaser for The Decameron. But their depraved escape sours when partygoers begin to fall ill and social mores fall by the wayside …

Can I see some photos from The Decameron?

Yup! Grab your goblet and toast to these first-look photos of The Decameron above.

Who’s the creative team behind The Decameron?

The Decameron is produced through Jenji Kohan’s (GLOW, Orange Is the New Black) company, Tilted Productions. “Kathleen Jordan is the real freakin’ deal,” says executive producer Kohan. “I am so excited and grateful that I get to work with her and we get to make this awesome, funny, timely, weird show together for Netflix.”

Blake McCormick (Teenage Bounty Hunters) and Tara Herrmann (Orange Is the New Black) serve as executive producers alongside Kohan and Jordan, while Ratched and American Crime Story director Michael Uppendahl directs. “I’m absolutely thrilled that I get to work with Jenji, Tara, Blake, and Netflix again,” Jordan says. “I can’t wait for people to meet this ridiculous group of characters. I’m sure Giovanni Boccaccio would be ... confused?”

Where is The Decameron filmed?

The exteriors of the extravagant Villa Santa were filmed in Vignanello, Italy, about an hour outside of Rome. During production, the cast and crew primarily lived and worked in Rome, living la dolce vita. Interiors were shot at an iconic location in cinema history: the Cinecittà in Rome, a studio where Federico Fellini filmed. It was a “big honor” for production designer Luca Tranchino to build the villa set on Stage 5, which is the Cinecittà’s biggest, most legendary stage. 

Tranchino and his team, including set decorator Erica Facchini, were diligent about historical accuracy, designing pieces like the beds from scratch so every character’s bedroom felt distinctive. Licisca’s room has walls painted in flowers as a nod to spring. They also painted mottos and affirmations from Latin and Roman philosophers to herald her time of rebirth and revenge. 

“The production design is just so beautiful. It's so stupid good. Those Italians, their artistry is on really another level,” says Hale. “A lot of this show is about surprise for the actors, like what surprises are coming with the writing and all that stuff. But we were constantly surprised by what the production team brought.”

The team include Easter eggs from art history in the sets as well. In the dining room, they took reference from paintings including Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper” and Paolo Veronese’s “The Wedding Feast at Cana.” The atrium features paintings from Giotto.

But Tranchino and his team occasionally would bend realities. People in medieval Florence didn’t typically drink out of glasses that were translucent, but in the show, the characters do, so we are able to see what they’re imbibing. 

When is The Decameron’s release date?

The party started July 25 on Netflix.

Join the revelry of The Decameron now, only on Netflix.