Netflix will premiere the Italian period drama The Leopard in 2025, bringing to the screen a fresh adaptation of Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa’s acclaimed novel.
The six-part series, announced to the press on Monday, delves into the story of Don Fabrizio, the Prince of Salina, as he navigates the decline of the old aristocracy during Italy’s unification.
The star-studded cast includes Kim Rossi Stuart as Don Fabrizio, Saul Nanni as his nephew Tancredi, Deva Cassel as Tancredi’s fiancée Angelica, and Benedetta Porcaroli as Concetta, Don Fabrizio’s daughter.
Filming took place in Palermo, Siracusa, Catania, and Rome.
A Landmark Project for Netflix Italy
Tinny Andreatta, Netflix’s vice president of content for Italy, described The Leopard as the first project she pursued upon joining the streaming platform.
“I have worked in the Italian television industry for nearly 30 years,” Andreatta said in a video statement. “When I started my adventure at Netflix, The Leopard was the first project I wanted to produce for its importance and ambition.”
The screenplay, written by Richard Warlow and Benji Walters, spans six episodes. Direction is led by Tom Shankland, with Giuseppe Capotondi helming episode four and Laura Luchetti directing episode five.
A New Perspective on a Timeless Story
Andreatta revealed a teaser trailer during the press event, featuring Don Fabrizio reassuring his loved ones with the line, “You are all safe here,” while betraying a sense of unease. She acknowledged Luchino Visconti’s 1963 cinematic masterpiece starring Burt Lancaster, Alain Delon, and Claudia Cardinale but emphasized that there is “much more to the story.”
“The Leopard captures an iconic moment in Italian history,” Andreatta noted. “But it’s also the story of a man confronting the end of an era, with an uncertain future ahead. In this sense, it is both modern and universal.”
With its high production values and powerful storytelling, The Leopard promises to be a standout addition to Netflix’s growing slate of Italian originals.
