The Leopard is an upcoming television series set to premiere on the streaming service Netflix on March 5, 2025. It is based on the classic novel of the same name by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa. Set against the backdrop of the unification of Italy in the 1860s, the series revolves around a Sicilian prince who confronts the clash between his family's long-standing privilege and the revolutionary changes sweeping the country. Considered by many to be one of the greatest Italian novels of all time, tells the story of Don Fabrizio Corbera, the Prince of Salina, who lives a life of beauty and wealth. However, as Italy moves toward unification and the old aristocratic order is threatened, he realizes that his family's future is at risk. New allegiances must be formed, each presenting a challenge to his beliefs.
Eventually, Don Fabrizio faces an impossible choice. He has the power to arrange a marriage between the rich and beautiful Angelica and his nephew Tancredi, which could secure his family’s legacy. However, in doing so, he would break his daughter Concetta's heart. Based on Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa’s classic novel, *The Leopard* is both a political tale and a deeply personal story of a family navigating nationwide upheaval.
The cast of The Leopard includes:
· Kim Rossi Stuart (Senza pelle)
· Benedetta Porcaroli (Immaculate)
· Deva Cassel (The Beautiful Summer)
· Saul Nanni (Brado)
· Paolo Calabresi (Boris)
· Francesco Colella (The Good Mothers)
· Astrid Meloni (The Swarm)
· Francesco Di Leva (The Children’s Train)
The series was filmed in Sicily, featuring locations such as Palermo, Catania, and Syracuse, and offers a unique glimpse into 19th-century Sicilian life through its costumes. More than 60 years after the cult film of the same name directed by Luchino Visconti, the six-episode TV series, also titled "The Leopard," based on the novel by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa, premieres on March 5th. Produced by Netflix, Indiana Production, and Moonage Pictures, and written by Richard Warlow and Benji Walters, this adaptation promises to surprise viewers with fresh insights and reinterpretations, exploring themes of love, power, and progress. Tom Shankland directs episodes 1, 2, 3, and 6, while Giuseppe Capotondi directs the fourth episode, and Laura Luchetti directs the fifth. It’s important to highlight the costumes, which play a significant role alongside the cast — including Kim Rossi Stuart as Don Fabrizio Corbera, Principe di Salina, Benedetta Porcaroli as Concetta, Deva Cassel as Angelica, and Saul Nanni as Tancredi — revealing secrets and nuances of their characters.
The costume designers on the Netflix Series are by Carlo Poggioli and Edoardo Russo. Dimitri Capuani is the art director. According to them the design would generally take three to four weeks per model. The overall costume development took about a year, starting in December and continuing until May, with some garments finished later. Shoes also played a crucial role; they needed to be perfect in shape and heel height for ease of movement. They made over 2,000 pairs of shoes and around 400 dresses using fantastic taffeta materials. Benedetta Porcaroli will showcase about 50 looks, while Deva Cassel will present over 30 outfits. The followed the imprint of the "Viscontian" style only to a certain point, in order to embody a sense of lightness and authenticity in every costume. Lucchino Visconti's aesthetic was flawless because, as an aristocrat, he understood the rules of nobility very well. However, for the Netflix series the costume designers took into consideration the hot climate of Sicily. For instance, we often depicted the male characters as sweaty and wearing unbuttoned shirts.
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