Spike TV is set to rebrand as Paramount Network in January of 2018, with a slew of new shows debuting in that month. One of those shows is Waco, a six-part scripted miniseries that follows events from 1993 in which the Branch Davidians (a small Christian cult) clashed with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF).
At the center of this clash was David Koresh, leader of the Branch Davidians, and some say it was his zeal that led to the 51-day standoff with the ATF. The standoff ended in a fire that engulfed the Branch Davidian compound, killing 76 men, women and children (including Koresh).
Now, Paramount Network has released the first photos of Taylor Kitsch as Koresh, and he looks pretty much dead-on:
Waco was written and directed by John Erick Dowdle, and is based on multiple books written about the standoff, including works by both Branch Davidians and FBI agents involved in the hostage negotiation. Aside from Kitsch, it will also star Michael Shannon, John Leguizamo, Melissa Benoist and Shea Wigham.
Waco will premiere in January.