‘Billy The Kid’ Series From Michael Hirst Ordered By Epix

VIKINGS Creator Michael Hirst Developing a New Western Series BILLY THE KID

The creator of Vikings and The Tudors, Michael Hirst, is developing a new western series titled Billy The Kid, which is obviously based on the famous American outlaw.

The series is described as an,

“epic romantic adventure based on the life of Billy the Kid, also known as William H. Bonney — from his humble Irish roots, to his early days as a cowboy and gunslinger in the American frontier, to his pivotal role in the Lincoln County War and beyond.”

The series will come to us from Epix, and Otto Bathurst is set to direct the first two episodes of an eight-episode first season. Hirst said in a statement:

“Billy the Kid has always been a hero of mine since I was – well, a kid! I grew up in the North of England but it made no difference! Billy was a special kind of outlaw. For a start he was so young – and for another thing, he wasn’t a psychopath who enjoyed killing, nor a criminal who robbed for material gain. He was an outlaw most of his life, but he never wanted to be. Born into a poor Irish family of immigrants, he always wanted to go straight, to be a ‘new American’. But he was never allowed to.

“Billy’s story is much more than a fantastic drama about a charismatic cowboy – although it is that! It’s also the story of the immigrant, and the story of the creation of the new America from the lawless, violent chaos of the mid-West and its many nations. So in the end it’s not just a story at all – it’s an American myth!”

Michael Wright, President of Epix added,

“Michael Hirst has created a series that will take the audience on an entirely unexpected, thrilling ride, turning what they thought they knew about this iconic character on its head. We can’t wait to see how this talented creative team unfolds this story and brings it to life for our viewers.”

Rola Bauer, MGM’s President of International Television Productions went on to say,

“Billy the Kid reunites Michael Hirst and MGM, whose epic sagas with global appeal remain unmatched. It is an immigrant story at its heart and an international perspective to this legendary American character. Exciting to collaborate once again with our partners at Epix and NENT/Viaplay.”

Billy the Kid has been the center point of many films over the years, most notably by Emilio Estevez in Young Guns, but with such a classic tale, we will gladly go back to the Old West once more.