Despite a production shutdown and serious doubts, we're now assured HBO's ambitious "Westworld" will air ... sometime this fall.

The cable network confirmed as much this afternoon with an announcement trumpeting the 10-episode "dark odyssey about the dawn of artificial consciousness and the evolution of sin."

Inspired by the 1973 film of the same name by Michael Crichton, the sci-fi thriller is created by Jonathon Nolan and Lisa Joy, who serve as executive producers alongside J.J. Abrams and Bryan Burk.

Here's how HBO describes the series: "Set at the intersection of the near future and the reimagined past, it explores a world in which every human appetite, no matter how noble or depraved, can be indulged."

The ensemble cast includes Anthony Hopkins, Ed Harris, Evan Rachel Wood, James Marsden, Thandie Newton, Jeffrey Wright, Tessa Thompson, Sidse Babett Knudsen, Jimmi Simpson, Rodrigo Santoro, Shannon Woodward, Ingrid Bolsø Berdal, Ben Barnes, Simon Quarterman, Angela Sarafyan, Luke Hemsworth and Clifton Collins Jr.