You can’t have an adaptation about the deadly events that happened in Waco in 1993 without your David Koresh.
Paramount Network, the new name for Spike TV come January 2018, is kicking off its rebranding with “Waco,” a six-part miniseries based on the deadly shootout at the Branch Davidians compound.
The series features an all-star cast including Taylor Kitsch, who’s playing Koresh, the leader of a religious community that became the target of a federal investigation and subsequent standoff.
The 51-day standoff ended in the deaths of 76 men, women and children, including Koresh himself.
Paramount released the first look of Kitsch as Koresh, which you can view below.
And if you’re curious about the resemblance with the real Koresh you can check that out here:
It would’ve been tough to hide Kitsch’s cheekbones and jawline, but the makeup and wig work is there. Koresh is most recognizable in photos due to his big hair and large glasses, so just adding them to any actor probably would’ve done the trick.
“Waco” is based on two biographies: “A Place Called Waco” by Branch Davidian survivor David Thibodeau and “Stalling for Time: My Life as an FBI Hostage Negotiator,” written by the FBI’s Head of Crisis Negotiation Unit Gary Noesner.
The cast also includes Michael Shannon, John Leguizamo, Andrea Riseborough, Rory Culkin, Melissa Benoist, Paul Sparks, Shea Whigham, Camryn Manheim, and Julia Garner.
“Waco” will be one of the first original scripted programs on the Paramount Network. It’ll premiere in Jan. 2018.