French Period Drama 'The Seduction' to Premiere on HBO Max This November

Given the global expansion of virtually every streaming service, the production of foreign language content is more important than ever. If those series, shot in the languages of their home countries, manage to cross over and become hits in America, well, that's all to the better. There's a proven formula for it — just look at the success of shows like Squid Game, Money Heist, Lupin, and Red Queen. It was only ever a matter of time before HBO (and/or HBO Max) decided to dip their proverbial toes into the water. 

The network's first Spanish-language original, Why No One Sees Us, dropped earlier this year in March, and its first French offering, The Seduction, is set to follow this Fall. Previously titled simply Merteuil but renamed for audiences outside of France, the series appears to serve as a prequel of sorts to Pierre Choderlos de Laclos’s famous novel Les Liaisons Dangereuses. An origin story for the iconic character Marquise de Merteuil, it will put a youthful, feminist spin on her early life, showcasing the fierce determination and intelligence that allowed her to access high society and taste sexual freedom. 

The series also aims to explore some aspects of her life that aren't in the source material, such as the relationship between Merteuil and her mentor, Madame de Rosemonde, the aunt of the future Vicomte de Valmont. And, of course, there's the question of what Merteuil's early connection with Valmont was like. In the book, it's hinted that she experienced some sort of trauma because of that relationship, which ultimately made the two adversaries and occasional frenemies. But how this series will choose to interpret that — or portray them during a warmer phase of their relationship — is anyone's guess.

Since the novel’s original publication in 1782, Les Liaisons Dangereuses has been adapted into many different formats. These include everything from multiple feature films and television programs to a stage production, an opera, and even a ballet. While the short-lived Starz series prequel Dangerous Liaisons is the most recent take on de Laclos’s novel, American audiences are probably most familiar with the 1988 film version, which was nominated for eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, and Best Adapted Screenplay. 

Here's the series' logline.

To be the hero of your own story, you sometimes have to be the villain in others’. Marquise de Merteuil, betrayed by Valmont, embarks on a daring journey to become Paris’ leading courtesan. Freely adapted from the novel “Les Liaisons Dangereuses” by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos, a thrilling exploration of the price of emotional & sexual freedom in a world where women had little.

Previously announced cast members include Anamaria Vartolomei (The Count of Monte-Cristo) as Isabelle de Merteuil, alongside Diane Kruger (The Shrouds) as Madame de Rosemonde, Lucas Bravo (Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris) as the Comte de Gercourt, and Vincent Lacoste (Irma Vep) as the Vicomte de Valmont. 

Additional members of the ensemble include Noée Abita (My Summer with Irene) as Madame de Tourvel, Julien de Saint-Jean (Le Fantôme de L'Opéra) as Louis de Germain, Fantine Harduin (Cette nuit-là) as Cécile de Volanges, Samuel Kircher (Wild Foxes) as Chevalier Danceny, and Sandrine Blancke (Love According to Dalva) as Madame de Volanges.

The series is created by Jean-Baptiste Delafon (Of Money and Blood), who wrote all episodes in collaboration with Jessica Palud and Gaëlle Bellan. Jessica Palud directs all installments. Producers include Clément Birnbaum and Joachim Nahum for NABI Productions (UGC Group) and Marie Guillaumond for Felicita Films (TF1 Studios Group). 

The Seduction will premiere on Friday, November 14, 2025, on HBO Max, with one episode released weekly until its finale on Friday, December 19.