Oscar Isaac Joins Martin Scorsese’s High-Stakes Vegas Series for Netflix

If you feel like Netflix never stops churning out intriguing projects, guess what—they haven’t. The latest: Oscar Isaac is heading to the world of high-rolling casinos in a brand new, yet-to-be-titled Las Vegas drama. And it isn’t just any drama: Martin Scorsese is on board as executive producer. Yeah, you read that right. Scorsese, Vegas, Oscar Isaac. That alone basically sells it.

Meet 'Bobby Red'

This series is set in the present-day Las Vegas casino scene, but don’t expect Ocean’s Eleven flashiness or old-school Rat Pack nostalgia. According to Netflix’s own preview, the show’s version of Vegas is just as cutthroat (if not more so) as the legendary past. Oscar Isaac’s playing Robert 'Bobby Red' Redman, a casino boss who’s apparently the guy you want to watch… unless you’re trying to take him down.

He’s the president of the city’s hottest hotel-casino, constantly gambling with both chips and his own livelihood as he tries to stay at the top of a very dangerous heap. Or, as Netflix describes it: 'The hourlong drama is set in the high-stakes, sharp-elbowed present-day Las Vegas casino business, which is a modernized but still dangerous version of the legendary city. At the center of it all stands Robert “Bobby Red” Redman, president of the hottest hotel casino in town, who has to make some long odds moves to try and secure his position and take more ground.'

Who’s Actually Making This?

If you’ve watched Billions or Rounders, the names Brian Koppelman and David Levien might ring a bell—or at least trigger memories of people in expensive suits making ruthless deals. They’re writing and showrunning this one, so expect plenty of power plays and betrayals. Oscar Isaac himself is also executive producing, with the team rounded out by a who’s-who of producers: Julie Yorn, Rick Yorn, Paul Schiff, Beth Schacter, and J.C. Chandor (who’s directing the first two episodes). Kerry Orent is also in the mix as co-EP.

Key detail: Aside from Oscar Isaac, the rest of the cast is still a mystery. Apparently, Netflix wants to keep us in suspense a little longer.

When Can You Watch It?

That’s the catch—Netflix hasn’t dropped a release window yet. If you’re hoping to binge this tomorrow, you’ll have to settle for something else in the meantime.

Oscar Isaac: Busy Guy

In case you’ve missed it, Isaac’s face has been basically everywhere. He just turned up in the second season of Beef (yep, also on Netflix), and played Dr. Frankenstein in Guillermo del Toro’s upcoming Frankenstein movie—so he’s definitely not hurting for projects.

If you want your Isaac fix before this Vegas show drops, keep your eyes peeled for In the Hand of Dante. That’s a Netflix film landing later this year, directed by Julian Schnabel and starring, honestly, half of Hollywood: Gal Gadot, Gerard Butler, Scorsese (yes, acting), John Malkovich, Al Pacino, Jason Momoa… You get the point. It’s an adaptation of Nick Tosches’ novel, in case you’re trying to get ahead on your reading list.

Quick Recap: The Essentials

• Oscar Isaac will star as casino boss Bobby Red in a still-untitled Netflix Las Vegas drama
• Martin Scorsese is executive producing, along with Isaac, Koppelman, Levien, and others
• Brian Koppelman and David Levien (of Billions fame) are writing and showrunning
• J.C. Chandor directs the first two episodes; rest of the cast and launch date not announced yet
• If you want more Isaac, catch him later this year in In the Hand of Dante—which ALSO features Scorsese, but in front of the camera

So: Oscar Isaac, Martin Scorsese, contemporary Vegas, lots of backroom deals, and high-octane drama—this new Netflix show is basically engineered to be unmissable for anyone who likes their TV with a little bit of edge. Watch this space, because I’ll be updating as soon as Netflix drops more info (or, let’s be honest, at least a better title).