Bridgerton fans urged to watch new Netflix series that's 'Love Island but back in the day'

If you're looking for a brand-new series to sink your teeth into this weekend, look no further than this steamy period drama.

Fans of the equally raunchy Bridgerton have been urged to check out the latest Netflix series that's being hailed as 'Love Island but back in the day'.

The eight-part 'wine-soaked romp' is is loosely inspired by the iconic short story collection of the same name published by Giovanni Boccaccio’s in mid-14th century Italy.

The brand-new period drama just dropped on Netflix yesterday (25 July). (Netflix)

The soap-style dark comedy examines the all-too-timely theme of class struggles in the season of a pandemic, as a cast of misfits tries to outlast the bubonic plague pandemic in 1348 Florence.

It boasts a star-studded cast of familiar faces including Tony Hale (Arrested Development), Zosia Mamet (Girls), Saoirse-Monica Jackson (Derry Girls), Tanya Reynolds (Sex Eduation), Amar Chadha-Patel (Willow), Jessica Plummer (The Girl Before), Douggie McMeekin (Harlots) and Karan Gill (I May Destroy You).

Yep, the series is none other than The Decameron and it's just dropped on Netflix yesterday (25 July).

Check out the official trailer here:

Many have since rushed to social media to share their excitement with one X user writing: "Nice! Can't wait to see them in action. Looking forward to it!"

A second chirped: "Counting down the days! Can't wait to see Zosia Mamet and Saoirse-Monica Jackson in The Decameron this July!"

"There better be 100 episodes in this," joked a third while a fourth gushed: "What? Not @netflix bringing The Decameron to the screen! Of course my history nerd self will be watching this one."

A fifth praised: "Hotter than hot! Keep these winners coming my man."

Another penned: "This looks incredible! Can't wait to see the talented cast of The Decameron in action this July! The premise sounds gripping and intense!"

And a final X user echoed: "Honestly can't wait."

The 'wine-soaked romp' boasts an ensemble cast of some very familiar faces. (Netflix)

Creator and showrunner Kathleen Jordan, the mind behind Teenage Bounty Hunters and American Princess, said that she thought of Bocaccio’s The Decameron as 'short little horny tales' and used that idea as framework for the series.

However, the project also came from wanting to explore themes of class disparity.

She told Tudum: "And when at times of crisis, the chasm between the haves and the have-nots grows wider and wider.

Jessica Plummer, who plays noble Filomena, compared the antics and silliness of the comedy series to the modern-day reality TV show, Love Island.

"Think, like, Love Island, but back in the day," she told Tudum. "A lot of drama, a lot of sex, a lot of, yeah, craziness."

Well, that's this weekend's plans sorted!

The Decameron is currently available to stream on Netflix,