Netflix's period drama The Leopard, based on the classic Italian novel by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa, has been praised by viewers for its lavish settings and engaging story. The six-episode limited series, set in 19th-century Sicily, follows an aristocratic family as it navigates a changing world.
A Story of Aristocracy and Change
The series explores the fortunes of the Salina family as Italy stands on the brink of unification, with Giuseppe Garibaldi's Redshirt army preparing to seize Sicily. The drama draws from the 1958 novel Il Gattopardo, which charts this turbulent era through the perspective of a Sicilian aristocratic dynasty.
The novel, initially rejected by two publishers before being released posthumously, is now considered one of the most significant novels of the 20th century. The series follows Don Fabrizio Corbera, Prince of Salina, a Sicilian nobleman whose household faces peril when the Redshirts descend upon Palermo, prompting a flight to the Donnafugata estate.
Cast and Reception
Kim Rossi Stuart stars as Don Fabrizio Corbera, joined by Benedetta Porcaroli, known for Baby and The Gentleman, and Deva Cassel as Angelica Sedara. The ensemble also includes Saul Nanni, Paolo Calabresi, and Francesco Colella.
Viewers have shared praise on Rotten Tomatoes, with one noting: "As testaments to the flux of history go, The Leopard manages to be beautiful, engaging and suitably elegiac." Another enthused: "The series can feel like an exquisite Italian cake, created to perfection, a thing of beauty to behold and indeed devour." A third added: "Netflix's The Leopard is a thrilling and dramatic watch with juicy twists and turns."
The Leopard is streaming now on Netflix.
