David Farnor | On 20, Nov 2014

The new Amazon original series Mozart in the Jungle will be released on Tuesday 23rd December.

The comedy-drama, which was one of Amazon’s second batch of original TV show pilots, is set in the underbelly of the New York classical music scene and stars Gael Garcia Bernal as a sexy conductor.

Based on the critically acclaimed memoir (Mozart in the Jungle: Sex, Drugs & Classical Music) by Blair Tindall, the show follows young oboist Hailey (Lola Kirke), who tries to navigate through the egos and eccentricities of a world renowned orchestra and new conductor Rodrigo (Bernal), an enfant terrible whose passion for music threatens the plans of the orchestra’s old guard.

That old guard is represented by Thomas (Malcolm McDowell), the reluctantly outgoing conductor, and Gloria (Bernadette Peters), the chairwoman of the board, who wonder what they have wrought by bringing Rodrigo into the fold. The musicians themselves, a colourful family of disparate personalities, are struggling to deal with this new regime. Along with her friends Alex (played by Peter Vack), a dancer on the brink of success, Cynthia (Saffron Burrows), a worldly cellist, and Lizzie (played by Hannah Dunne), a world class partier, Hailey searches for what it means to dedicate your life to music.

As well as Malcolm McDowell and France Ha’s Hannah Dunne, series guest stars include Debra Monk, Wallace Shawn, Mackenzie Leigh, Nora Arnezeder, Jerry Adler and Santino Fontana,

The talent behind the camera is no less exciting: the series is Executive Produced by Roman Coppola, Jason Schwartzman, Paul Weitz and John Strauss (There’s Something About Mary). Weitz and Coppola directed episodes, along with Bart Freundlich, Adam Brooks, Daryl Wein, Tricia Brock and Daisy Mayer.

“Jason, Roman, Paul and John have brilliantly tapped into this microcosm brought to life by an unparalleled ensemble cast,” says Roy Price, Vice President of Amazon Studios.

“Classical music has always interested me. By being part of this show I’ve been able to immerse myself in this fascinating world. I think the viewer will be equally as surprised and intrigued as I was with what goes on behind the curtain at the symphony,” comments Coppola.

Given Amazon’s unique approach to commissioning new shows – which makes the pilots available for public feedback – the first episode is already available to stream on Amazon. The remaining nine episodes will be released all at once on Tuesday 23rd December for Amazon Prime Instant Video members(a subscription costs £5.99 a month).

After the incredible quality of their previous original series, Transparent, we have high hopes for this one.

Did we mention Gael Garcia Bernal plays a sexy conductor?

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