Elton John and True Blood Creator Alan Ball Are Doing a Pilot and It Sounds Amazing

True Blood creator Alan Ball is set to write and direct a new musical drama named Virtuoso set in 18th century Vienna, for HBO.

Elton John and husband David Furnish are on board to produce with Ball and Peter Macdissi, who will also star in the pilot.

HBO has given the go ahead for the hour-long pilot, which follows a class of young musical prodigies from across Europe at the Academy of Musical Excellence.

The cast includes Alex Lawther, (Imitation Game) Francois Civil, (Rosemary’s Baby) British actor Nico Marallegro and Australian actor Lindsay Farris.

Production of the pilot begins in the spring in Budapest.

[Variety]

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Write to Helen Regan at helen.regan@timeasia.com.