The newest take on Zorro has arrived in North America, now streaming on MHz Choice, and early reviews are zeroing in on one thing. Oscar winner Jean Dujardin is carrying the show.
MHz Choice, a streaming service available in the United States and Canada, is the exclusive home for the French-language series. The reboot runs for eight episodes, with the first two released on June 30 and new episodes set to drop weekly through Aug. 11, 2026.
Dujardin, best known for his Academy Award-winning role in The Artist, steps into the role of Don Diego de la Vega. Critics say his version leans into humor more than past versions, which often played the masked hero straight. That shift has sparked debate, but most reviewers agree his performance works.
ZORRO Trailer | Premiering June 30th on MHz Choice
JoBlo praised the actor’s approach, stating that “Jean Dujardin is a perfect fit for Don Diego,” while calling the series “a fun experiment” that brings a lighter tone to the character. The outlet compared it to the playful style of the classic Batman TV era, noting it may not match what longtime fans expect but still delivers an entertaining twist.
A review from RogerEbert.com highlighted Dujardin’s range, saying he “makes for a charismatic leading man,” blending awkward sincerity with dry humor in a way not often seen with the character.
The L.A. Times also pointed to the complexity of the performance, noting that Dujardin manages to make both Diego and Zorro feel distinct while still believable as the same man, even as the story pushes those identities closer together.
The series was filmed in Spain and is set in 1821 Los Angeles. It follows an older Diego who has stepped away from his masked past and taken on the role of mayor after his father’s death. He soon finds the city buried in debt and under the influence of Don Emmanuel, played by Eric Elmosnino. When politics fails, Diego returns to the mask, but juggling both lives proves difficult.
The character of Zorro dates back to 1919, when Johnston McCulley introduced him in The Curse of Capistrano. Since then, the swordsman has appeared across film, television, and comics, becoming one of the most recognizable heroes in pop culture. A new comic series titled Zorro’s Legacy is also set to launch this summer, continuing that long run.
With strong early reactions and a clear shift in tone, this version of Zorro is betting that audiences are ready for something different. So far, critics seem willing to go along for the ride.
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English (US) · 