A classic story of power and betrayal returns to screens with a fresh perspective. The Seduction, a new HBO Max series, serves as a prequel to the famous French novel Les Liaisons Dangereuses. Instead of retreading the familiar plot, the show delves into the origin story of one of literature’s most cunning characters, offering a modern feminist take on 18th-century Paris. The series begins its weekly release on November 14, 2025 .
The Story Behind The Seduction
The Seduction rewinds the clock to explore the early years of Marquise Isabelle de Merteuil. The series charts her journey from a bright but underestimated young woman into the sophisticated and powerful figure known from the original novel. After experiencing a brutal betrayal, Isabelle learns to navigate the restrictive world of pre-revolutionary Paris, turning her hunger for vengeance into a masterful skill for seduction . She climbs the ranks of the city’s glittering elite, using her intellect and charm to gain control in a society dominated by men .
Director Jessica Palud has described the series as an “18th-century #MeToo story,” focusing on Isabelle’s independence and trauma . The story reconfigures the well-known characters and their plotlines, breaking up and redistributing their traits to focus on psychological wounds and the question of whether love can exist amidst cruelty and trickery . The show is a French-language production, filmed entirely in French, which enriches its authentic setting .
Meet the Key Cast and Characters
The series brings together a talented cast to portray the iconic roles. The story revolves around the dynamic between four central characters, whose risky alliances and personal vendettas create rich, intimate drama .
- Anamaria Vartolomei plays the lead role of Isabelle de Merteuil, the young woman at the heart of the story whose rise to power the series follows .
- Vincent Lacoste portrays Valmont, the elitist playboy whose betrayal of Isabelle sets her on her new path .
- Diane Kruger stars as Rosemonde, Valmont’s aunt who becomes a mentor to Isabelle, navigating a complex friendship with her own agenda .
- Lucas Bravo takes on the role of the devious Gercourt, Isabelle’s ex-lover who is presented as a villain embodying the worst patriarchal traits .
The supporting cast includes Noée Abita as Madame de Tourvel and Fantine Harduin as Cécile de Volanges, rounding out the world of French aristocracy .
Release Schedule and How to Watch
The first season of The Seduction will consist of six episodes, each about 50 minutes long . The series will not drop all at once; instead, it will follow a weekly release schedule on HBO Max. The first episode arrives on Friday, November 14, 2025, and the season will run for six weeks, with the finale scheduled for December 19, 2025 .
The show is an HBO Max original and will be available exclusively on that platform. Plans for the streaming service start at $10.99 per month . Viewers should be aware that the series is rated TV-MA and features explicit content, making it one to watch in private rather than public or family settings .
A Modern Take on a Classic Tale
The creative team behind The Seduction has taken deliberate steps to frame this classic story for a modern audience. Director Jessica Palud emphasized the feminist angle of this reinterpretation, connecting Isabelle’s story to contemporary movements.
“In the book, we understand she experienced some trauma because she was taken advantage of by Valmont. In ‘The Seduction,’ we made her much more feminist. You could say that the story of Merteuil is really the #MeToo of the 18th century,” said Palud .
This approach also involved creating a more complex relationship between the two main female characters, Isabelle and Rosemonde. Palud noted that they wanted to explore the dynamic between a woman who is evolving and wants to speak out and another who is still trapped in the patriarchal ways of the old world . The series also aims to show that seduction is about more than just sex; it is about intellect and the intricate power plays required for a woman to survive and gain respect in a man’s world .
While the series has been praised for its gorgeous visuals, engaging acting, and successful establishment of a separate identity from previous adaptations, some reviews note that the emotional narrative can lack pull at times, with the manipulations lacking a certain spice or mischief . However, the performance of Lucas Bravo as Gercourt has been highlighted as a standout, allowing the actor to break free from his Emily in Paris persona and play a dark and villainous role . The show is described as a French-language feast of machinations that interrogates the differences between how male and female rule-breakers were treated in aristocratic society .
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