Netflix’s ‘The Leopard’: A Lavish Tale of Love and Power Set in 1860s Sicily!

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Netflix made a grand debut with its highly anticipated limited series “The Leopard,” adapted from Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa’s timeless Sicilian novel. This is one of Netflix’s largest ventures into Italian productions to date.

On Tuesday, Netflix unveiled their packed press event at the ornate ballroom within Rome’s Hotel Plaza, a location that has previously featured in one of their shows. The highly anticipated series, “The Leopard,” will make its official debut in Rome on March 3 with an elegant gala taking place at the Opera Theatre. Following this, the show will become available worldwide on March 5.

A grand, contemporary retelling of a passionate Sicilian tale, much like “Downton Abbey” or “The Crown,” has the capacity to leave an indelible mark worldwide. This narrative is reminiscent of the historical tapestry woven by Luchino Visconti in his iconic film, which starred Claudia Cardinale, Alain Delon, and Burt Lancaster. This timeless masterpiece clinched the 1963 Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival.

Eleonora Andreatta, Netflix’s Vice President of Italian Originals of Italian descent, boasted that “The Leopard” demonstrates the reach of Netflix’s production aspirations in Italy. This series has even caught the attention of Ted Sarandos, Netflix’s Chief Content Officer, during his recent L.A. presentation. As Andreatta stated, they have created a lavish and emotionally intense show that truly encapsulates the relevance of the novel in today’s society. However, when asked about the show’s budget, she chose not to disclose the figure, with estimates placing it over €40 million ($42 million).

In a six-episode series, Deva Cassel, daughter of Monica Bellucci and Vincent Cassel, plays Angelica Sedara – a character previously portrayed by Cardinale in the original. This drama unfolds amidst the turmoil of social change in 1860s Sicily. For Cassel, this is a significant breakthrough role; she made her acting debut in Laura Luchetti’s “The Beautiful Summer” (2023) and will soon appear in an adaptation of “Phantom of the Opera,” inspired by “Twilight” and directed by Alexandre Castagnetti.

In the movie adaptation of “The Leopard,” I step into the shoes of Don Fabrizio Corbera, Prince of Salina, a role previously brought to life by Lancaster. Meanwhile, Saul Nanni takes on the part of Tancredi Falconeri, a character that Delon portrayed in the original film. And as for me, I play Concetta, who is deeply smitten with Tancredi, a role previously embodied by Benedetta Porcaroli.

At the heart of this series, primarily filmed in stunning Sicilian backdrops, lies the dilemma of Don Fabrizio. He’s presented with a challenging decision: he could arrange a marriage between his wealthy, attractive, and ambitious niece Angelica and his nephew Tancredi. This union could safeguard his family’s heritage and financial security. However, this choice would bring sorrow to his beloved daughter Concetta. The story delves into enduring topics such as power, love, and the sacrifices required for progress, as suggested by the synopsis.

Cassel commented at the press conference that “Angelica is a complex character.” Originating from simple beginnings, she encounters an opportunity to ascend into the ranks of nobility, but struggles with this new environment. She desperately holds onto Tancredi, yet as events unfold, she starts to understand she harbors a secret side of herself.

Tom Shankland, a British director known for Netflix’s true crime series “The Serpent,” is the main director on “The Leopard.” Richard Worlow, who has collaborated with Shankland in the past on “The Serpent,” co-wrote the script along with Benji Walters. For episodes 4 and 5, Italian directors Giuseppe Capotondi and Laura Luchetti took charge.

As a movie buff, I’m thrilled to share that the production of this show is a joint venture between Fabrizio Donvito from Indiana Production in Italy and Moonage Pictures, the U.K. studio renowned for their work on “Peaky Blinders.” Together, they are taking the lead in bringing this project to life!

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2025-02-25 18:16