'Zorro' (2024) date, plot, cast, and other fun facts about the new Prime Video swashbuckler
Series name: Zorro
Platform: Prime Video
Country of origin: Spain
Date of Release: January 19, 2024
Genre: Adventure/Thriller
Created by: Carlos Portela
Full cast: Rodolfo Sancho, Renata Notni, Miguel Bernardeau, Paco Tous, Estibalitz Ruiz, Mireia Mambo, Eva Camacho, Julien Lacabe
Who is 'Zorro'?
If you've been living under a rock and have not heard of the swashbuckling masked hero Zorro, then here's a primer. Zorro is the alter ego of Don Diego de la Vega who lives in California. Diego (or Zorro) comes from the wealthiest family in the territory and whose father -- Don Alejandro Vega -- is a major landowner. While ranching and helping with the family business is his day job, as Zorro, Diego fights to uphold the rights of the indigenous people living around him. Battling evil rustlers, ne'er-do-wells, bandits, corrupt cops, and unscrupulous businessmen and politicians, Zorro carves his signature 'Z' wherever he battles foes. Supported by his trusty steed Tornado, Zorro is the quintessential caped crusader. He even has a cavernous hideaway like that other crime-fighting tycoon living in Gotham. Also like Bruce Wayne, very few people know that Zorro is actually the rich playboy Diego.
What is the plot of 'Zorro' the TV series?
While the Zorro stories are set in California, the Prime Video series seems to be set in Spain. Here Zorro's father Don Alejandro Vega has been killed and Zorro carves an avenging path through the surrounding area in search of his father's murderers. But does Zorro/Diego know everything about his family? And will his quest for justice bring out the skeletons best kept hidden?
Is Zorro based on a comic or a novel?
You'd be excused for thinking Zorro emerges from the pages of a classic Spanish novel a la Dumas' Musketeers, but in fact, Zorro is the creation of Ottawa-born American pulp fiction writer Johnston McCulley. The first Zorro novel -- 'The Curse of Capistrano' -- was published in 1919 and serialized in the magazine 'All-Story Weekly'. That seemed to be that until newlyweds Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford decided that 'The Curse of Capistrano' would form the basis of their first movie together. What emerged was 1920's 'The Mask of Zorro'. The movie was such a big hit that McCulley would go on to write over 60 more Zorro novels.
Is 'Zorro' based on a real person?
There is speculation that McCulley based Zorro on Joaquin Murrieta (also known as the Robin Hood of El Dorado). There is very little factual information on the life of Murrieta apart from John Rollin Ridge's 1854 novel 'The Life and Adventures of Joaquín Murieta: The Celebrated California Bandit'. Legends vary with Murrieta being hailed as a hero and bandit in equal measure.
'Zorro' Main Cast
Miguel Bernardeau
Miguel (who plays Zorro in the series) may be a relative newcomer, but don't let that fool you into thinking his short career hasn't rattled off some serious hits. Most notable is his role as Guzmán Nunier in the massive Netflix hit 'Elite'. Lauded roles in 'Todo lo otro' and 'Playa Negra' followed before Netflix further elevated his star with the role of Ángel in the spooky cult hit '1899'. Fans can also see him flex his acting chops in the upcoming gritty miniseries 'Querer'.
Renata Notni
Renata plays Lolita in 'Zorro'. Lolita is a stunning noble who has fallen on hard times. She falls head-over-heels for the dashing Zorro while actively loathing the dandyish Diego. Needless to say, she has no clue they are the same person. Renata's first acting role was an eternal 200-episoder in which she played Andrea Garza Durán in the ever-popular 'Código postal'. She went on to further emphasize her staying power when she starred in 205 episodes of 'Amorcito corazón' in which she played María Soledad 'Marisol' Lobo Ballesteros. She has also starred in such acclaimed series as 'Quiero amarte', the musical 'Yo quisiera' and the outstanding 'The Five Juanas'. Fans can catch her next in the upcoming horror movie 'Open Wounds'.
Rodolfo Sancho
Rodolfo has been enthralling Spanish audiences since the 1980s. He made a name for himself in the hit 1995 TV series 'Curro Jiménez: El regreso de una leyenda' where he starred opposite the Spanish screen icon Sanch Gracia. But it was as Nico Medina Prieto in the hugely popular Spanish series 'Al salir de clase' (he starred in 453 episodes) that he truly became a household name in the Spanish-speaking world. Star turns in 'Policías, en el corazón de la calle', 'Amar es para siempre', 'Isabel' and 'The Plastic Sea' furthered his status as a bonafide star. Fans can see him next in the upcoming comedy 'Un paseo por el Borne'.
Is 'Zorro' (2024) worth watching?
Zorro is immortal and while there have been some mediocre efforts to bring him to life, it's very difficult to cock-up the character. Giving it a Spanish touch should be interesting to say the least and we are looking forward to the series. Our earnest hope though, is that they don't skimp on the swashbuckling sword fights.
What are the other 'Zorro' movies or series available?
The 1920 Douglas Fairbanks film 'The Mark of Zorro' is, in our opinion, peak swashbuckling; the 1925 sequel (also with Fairbanks) 'Don Q, Son of Zorro' not so much. The 1974 TV movie 'The Mark of Zorro' with the late, great, Frank Langella playing Zorro is also pretty decent. The most famous of all Zorro portrayals was of course 1998's 'The Mask of Zorro' starring Anthony Hopkins as an aging Zorro and Antonio Banderas as the young heir to the mask and cape. The love interest is played by Catherine Zeta-Jones. The 2005 sequel 'The Legend of Zorro' with Banderas and Zeta-Jones reprising their roles was pretty dire. There are also a couple of strange takes on the Zorro story, not least being 1981's 'Zorro, the Gay Blade' in which George Hamilton plays 'two Zorros', one the archetypal lady's man and the other a stereotypical (of its time) gay man. It's pretty funny in parts, but you'll never see that being attempted ever again. There was also an erotic Zorro for those of you who like a bit of swordplay. The 1972 sex comedy 'The Erotic Adventures of Zorro' (Ed: no synopsis required, thanks) actually went on to rake in more than $1 million at the US Box Office, so in a way everyone got off.
MEAWW Watch ranking
3 out of 5
'Zorro' trailer