Netflix's Italian Period Drama 'The Leopard' to Roar Onto Screens in March
Deva Cassel as Angelica in "The Leopard"
(Photo: Lucia Iuorio/Netflix © 2024)
The success of Netflix's slate of international originals continues to grow in recent months, with hits like the German drama The Empress, the Norwegian series La Palma, and, of course, the Korean language juggernaut that is Squid Game. The streamer is clearly hoping for similar mainstream success with its forthcoming Italian period drama The Leopard, which will reportedly premiere in March.
Based on Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa’s 1958 novel, Il Gattopardo, the story is set in the author's native Sicily during the late nineteenth century. The story follows the fictional Don Fabrizio Corbera, Prince of Salina, and his aristocratic family through the social upheaval of the Risorgimento.
Don Fabrizio leads a life of wealth and privilege, but when the possible unification of Italy threatens the established social order, he breaks with tradition to secure his family's security. He arranges a marriage between his nephew Tancredi and the wealthy middle-class daughter of an influential Sicilian citizen, all while knowing his decision will break the heart of his beloved daughter Concetta. Major themes of the book include the inevitable tension between life, mortality, decay, eternity, and legacy.
The six-part series is Netflix's most ambitious Italian original yet, meant to rival sprawling English language dramas like The Crown or Downton Abbey. The production reportedly involves thousands of extras and custom-made costumes, furnishings, and sets created after intense study of the period in which it is set.
Kim Rossi Stuart and Astrid Melon in Netflix's "The Leopard"
(Photo: Lucia Iuorio/Netflix)
Here's the series' synopsis.
The Leopard is a dazzlingly sensuous epic, set against the backdrop of revolution in 1860s Sicily. At its heart is Don Fabrizio Corbera, the Prince of Salina, who leads a life surrounded by beauty and privilege. But as Italy moves towards unification and the old aristocratic order is threatened, he realizes that his family’s future is in jeopardy. New allegiances must be made, each one a threat to his principles. Eventually Don Fabrizio is faced with an impossible choice. He has the power to engineer a marriage, between the rich and beautiful Angelica and his nephew Tancredi, that could secure his family’s legacy, but doing so he would break his favorite daughter, Concetta’s heart. The series will be a modern exploration of timeless themes – power, love, and the cost of progress.
The Leopard stars Kim Rossi Stewart (Romanzo Criminale) as Don Fabrizio, alongside Deva Cassei (The Beautiful Summer) as Angelica Sedara, Saul Nanni (Love & Gelato) as Tancredi Falconeri, and Benedetta Porcaroli (Baby) as Concetta. The ensemble cast includes Paolo Calabresi, Francesco Colella, Astrid Meloni, and Greta Esposito.
Creator Richard Warlow co-wrote the first season alongside Benji Walters. Tom Shankland is the series' lead director, helming four of its six episodes, with Guiseppe Capotondi and Laura Luchetti each tackling one of the remaining installments. The director of photography is Nicolaj Bruel, with costume designs by Carlo Poggioli and Edoardo Russo.
Producers include Fabrizio Donvito, Daniel Campos Pavoncelli, Marco Cohen, and Benedetto Habib for Indiana Production and Will Gould, Frith Tiplady, and Matthew Read for Moonage Pictures.
The Leopard is set to premiere March 5 on Netflix.
