Some shows arrive quietly. Vladimir is not one of them. Netflix’s adaptation of Julia May Jonas’ bestselling 2022 novel brings together an Oscar winner, a critically acclaimed author making her showrunning debut, and a premise sharp enough to cut.
Jonas’ novel topped year-end lists at NPR, the Washington Post, Vulture, the Guardian, and several others upon release (Via Tudum). Now it’s heading to the small screen with Rachel Weisz at the helm, both in front of and behind the camera as executive producer. It premieres March 5.
SHOW DETAILSINFORMATIONCreated ByJulia May JonasBased OnVladimir, novel by Julia May Jonas (2022)StarringRachel Weisz, Leo Woodall, John SlatteryRelease DateMarch 5Streaming OnNetflix
What Is Vladimir on Netflix About?
M is a literature professor at a small liberal arts college. She doesn’t have a name in the show; she just has a life coming apart at the seams. Her husband is under investigation for professional misconduct. Her marriage has gone cold. Then a younger colleague, Vladimir, walks in, and whatever restraint she had left starts disappearing fast.
The show leans more toward dark comedy than straight drama. M narrates her own spiral directly to the camera, but don’t mistake that for honesty. Jonas was deliberate about this. “I wanted to flip that to where she’s talking to someone and she’s always trying to massage the truth or sometimes outright lie,” the author told the L.A. Times. “She’s a completely unreliable narrator.”
The title carries its own commentary. Jonas told Netflix’s Tudum.
It’s a nod to novels that name themselves after the young women whom the man is obsessed with. I wanted to flip the script and have it be coming from a woman’s perspective.
Each episode runs about 30 minutes. All eight drop on March 5.
Vladimir Netflix Main Cast
Rachel Weisz (The Favourite, The Constant Gardener) plays M. She executive produces the series alongside her acting duties, and spent part of the editing process still trying to figure out the character. “Is she right? Is she wrong? Is she psycho? Is she sane?” Jonas told the L.A. Times. “You can’t pin her down.”
Leo Woodall (One Day, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy) plays the titular Vladimir. He’s a fellow writer and professor, and the object of M’s obsession. Woodall noted that Weisz’s approach kept even him on his toes on set. “She loves as much spontaneity as possible,” he told the L.A. Times.
John Slattery (Mad Men, Spotlight) plays John, M’s husband, a man caught in his own professional and personal dead end. Jessica Henwick (Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, Silo) and Ellen Robertson (Mickey 17, Black Mirror) round out the core cast as Cynthia and Sid, respectively.
Vladimir Netflix Supporting Cast
Rachel Weisz and Leo Woodall in a still from Vladimir | Credits: Netflix
The show fills its academic world with a strong supporting lineup. Kayli Carter (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) plays Lila. Miriam Silverman (Your Friends & Neighbors) appears as Florence. Matt Walsh (Veep) plays David, and Mallori Johnson (Is God Is) takes on the role of Edwina. Tattiawna Jones (Murderbot, Station Eleven) plays Alexis, with Louise Lambert (Ginny & Georgia) rounding out the cast as Dawn.
CHARACTERACTORMRachel WeiszVladimirLeo WoodallJohnJohn SlatteryCynthiaJessica HenwickSidEllen RobertsonLilaKayli CarterFlorenceMiriam SilvermanDavidMatt WalshEdwinaMallori JohnsonAlexisTattiawna JonesDawnLouise Lambert
Jonas wrote, created, and showran the series, her first time doing all three simultaneously. Sharon Horgan executive produces through her Merman banner. “I fell in love with Julia’s writing from the very first paragraph,” Horgan said to Tudum when the project was announced.
Are you excited to watch the show? Comment below.
Vladimir premieres March 5 on Netflix.
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