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 cable network, set to debut this December.

Based on his cult film of the same name, the supernatural crime saga will play out as an hour-long series that will premiere on the El Rey Network in the first quarter of 2014. The series 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, 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”) will play Sheriff Earl McGraw in a recurring role.

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.

“If the movies the short story, the series is the novel,” says Rodriguez. “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. The special effects team will be spearheaded by Bob Trevino.

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.