Netflix has unveiled the first tantalising glimpse of its upcoming, provocative limited series, Vladimir, featuring acclaimed actors Rachel Weisz and Leo Woodall in the central roles. The streaming giant has released a series of first-look photographs, building anticipation for the show's global premiere scheduled for March 5th.
A Story of Dangerous Obsession
The series, based on Julia May Jonas's 2022 novel of the same name, promises a gripping and intense narrative. Rachel Weisz, 55, stars as a character known only as M, a passionate professor whose life begins to unravel. The official synopsis reveals she becomes dangerously fixated on her magnetic new younger colleague, Vladimir, portrayed by 29-year-old Leo Woodall.
"As boundaries blur and secrets simmer, she’ll risk everything to bring her most scandalous fantasies to life," the description teases, setting the stage for a drama exploring power, desire, and consequence.
First-Look Images and Star-Studded Cast
The newly released promotional images offer a direct preview of the series' charged atmosphere. One striking photo captures M and Vladimir in an intimate, close-up moment, seemingly leaning in for a kiss, visually emphasising the central tension.
The cast extends beyond the two leads, featuring a strong ensemble. Mad Men veteran John Slattery takes on the role of M's husband, John. They are joined by a talented supporting lineup including Ellen Robertson, Matt Walsh, Jessica Henwick, Kayli Carter, Miriam Silverman, Mallori Johnson, Tattiawna Jones, and Louise Lambert. Henwick, notably, plays Cynthia, Vladimir's wife, adding another layer of complexity to the storyline.
Early Fan Reactions and Anticipation
Following the release of the first-look photos on social media platform X, viewers have been quick to share their excited reactions, with many already marking their calendars for the March debut.
One fan commented on the palpable tension, writing, "The chemistry, the danger; this already feels intense. March 5 can’t come soon enough." Another echoed the sentiment, stating, "Looks intense. Rachel Weisz + Leo Woodall already has me hooked."
Further reactions praised the premise, with users describing it as "messy and addictive" and expressing eagerness to see how the on-screen chemistry unfolds. One succinct post read, "Rachel Weisz + chaos? Sign me the hell up," while another noted, "Dangerous fixation stories always hit harder."
Leo Woodall on Age-Gap Dynamics
For Leo Woodall, this role continues his exploration of romantic leads within significant age-gap dynamics. He recently appeared as Roxster, the younger love interest to Renée Zellweger's Bridget Jones in Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy, a pairing with a 27-year age gap in real life.
In previous interviews, Woodall has addressed the 'toyboy' label often associated with such roles. Speaking to The Telegraph, he clarified that while he doesn't take the phrase too seriously, his character in Bridget Jones was "more than just a toyboy," highlighting a genuine relationship and connection.
He argued that audiences are simply less accustomed to seeing the older woman/younger man dynamic on screen compared to its reverse, which has been portrayed "countless times." Defending such storylines to Stellar Magazine, Woodall stated, "When two people find a connection, why shouldn't they see where it goes without judgment?" He added, "Both dynamics should be equally normalised. It's a good thing that we're getting the reverse... Because it's not uncommon – it's just not portrayed much in movies."
All eight episodes of the highly anticipated limited series Vladimir will be available for streaming on Netflix globally from March 5th.
