Zorro Returns in Style: Jean Dujardin Leads Bold New French TV Reboot in First Trailer

The 2024 French television series Zorro is a modern reimagining of the classic masked hero, starring Jean Dujardin as an older Don Diego de la Vega who returns to the cape after years of living a quiet life. The series is based on the legendary character created by Johnston McCulley in 1919 and was produced as a co-production between France, Belgium, the USA, and Paramount+.

According to information from France Télévisions and production details shared in media reports, the show was developed as a more mature and European take on the Zorro myth. It follows Don Diego, who is now an important public figure in Los Angeles, California in 1821.

He has taken over his father’s role as mayor and is married to Doña Gabriella. On the surface, he has built a stable life, but he quickly realizes that corruption and injustice still exist in the town. This forces him to bring Zorro back, even though it creates tension in his home life because his wife does not know his secret identity.

The trailer for Zorro was officially released by IGN, giving fans their first proper look at Jean Dujardin’s return as the legendary masked hero. The preview highlights the series’ mix of action, humor, and drama, while also teasing the older, more complex version of Don Diego de la Vega as he is forced to bring Zorro back into his life. The footage quickly drew attention for its cinematic style and its modern European take on the classic swashbuckling character.

The series mixes action, drama, romance, and comedy. It also focuses heavily on Don Diego’s double life and the personal problems that come with it. His secret identity becomes harder to manage as he tries to balance being a husband, a mayor, and a masked vigilante. The story also explores how aging changes a hero who was once fearless, making this version of Zorro more human and emotionally complicated.

Jean Dujardin leads the cast as Don Diego de la Vega and Zorro. He is joined by Audrey Dana as his wife Doña Gabriella, André Dussollier as his father Don Alejandro, and Salvatore Ficarra as Bernardo, his loyal servant. The supporting cast includes characters from the town of Los Angeles, soldiers, and other figures who add to the political and social conflicts in the story.

In production notes shared by France Télévisions and co-producers, the creative team explained that they wanted a Zorro who feels older, more realistic, and emotionally layered. One producer described the series as “very European” and more focused on character drama than simple hero action. Writer Benjamin Charbit also said that the series tries to mix comedy with drama and romance in a natural way, even if that balance is sometimes difficult to achieve.

Filming took place in southern Spain, mainly in the Almería region, which was chosen for its landscapes that resemble the American West. Large sets were built, including a version of Los Angeles, along with villages and interior locations filmed in Toledo. Post-production was handled in Belgium, showing the international nature of the project.

Zorro premiered on September 6 2024 and later aired in Belgium and France on RTL TVI and France 2.

The series consists of eight episodes and has been noted for its large production budget and cinematic style. France Télévisions also launched an interactive feature on its platform that allows viewers to create personalized Zorro-themed posters.

Oscar winner Jean Dujardin (The Artist) plays the title role in this eight-episode series, subtitled in English, that premieres June 30 exclusively in the U.S. and Canada on Kino Lorber’s MHz Choice, with two episodes and a “making of” special debuting at launch followed by weekly episodes every Tuesday through August 11.

The reception has been mixed. According to several French media outlets, some critics praised the humor, performances, and modern take on the character, while others felt the series struggled to balance its tone. Some reviews highlighted Jean Dujardin’s performance as a major strength, especially his ability to switch between comedy and drama in the dual role of Don Diego and Zorro.

Overall, this version of Zorro is presented as a fresh but unusual take on a classic hero, focusing more on personal conflict, aging, and identity than traditional swashbuckling adventure.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!