The question surrounding the upcoming Netflix limited series has been officially answered. Yes, Vladimir is based on a book. The streaming platform is bringing Julia May Jonasโs acclaimed 2022 debut novel to the screen in an eight-episode event starring Rachel Weisz and Leo Woodall.
After months of casting news and production updates, the series finally has a firm release date. Vladimir will premiere on Netflix globally on March 5. The official trailer dropped in mid-February, giving audiences their first real look at the darkly comic and tension-filled story of obsession, power, and forbidden desire on a small college campus .
The Book Behind the Series
Julia May Jonas wrote Vladimir as her first novel, and it became one of the most talked-about books of 2022. Critics at NPR, The Washington Post, People, Vulture, The Guardian, and the New York Public Library all named it a book of the year .
The novel tells the story of an unnamed female English professor whose husband faces allegations of past relationships with students. As his career collapses, she finds herself consumed by thoughts of Vladimir, a young, handsome new novelist who joins the faculty. The book examines female desire, power dynamics, and hypocrisy with sharp wit and uncomfortable honesty.
Jonas is not just the author of the source material. She is actively involved in the Netflix adaptation as the creator, showrunner, writer, and executive producer . Kate Robin, known for her work on The Affair and Dead to Me, co-writes alongside Jonas .
Official Plot: What to Expect from the Series
Netflix has released the official logline for the limited series. It closely follows the novelโs premise but expands the visual storytelling.
As a womanโs life unravels, she becomes obsessed with her captivating new colleague. Full of sexy secrets, dark humor and complex characters, Vladimir is about what happens when a woman goes hell-bent to turn her fantasies into reality .
The streaming service also released a more detailed description with the trailer.
Seduction and obsession collide in Vladimir โ a provocative limited series brimming with forbidden desires, razor-sharp wit, and charismatic, unpredictable characters. As boundaries blur and secrets simmer, sheโll risk everything to bring her most scandalous fantasies to life .
The trailer shows Rachel Weisz staring intently at a shirtless Leo Woodall, their characters growing closer despite the obvious professional and personal risks. The character Vladimir is described as someone who โhas a thing for crazy girls,โ adding another layer of tension to the already complicated dynamic .
Full Cast List for Vladimir
The cast has grown significantly since the project was first announced in March 2025. Here is the complete lineup of confirmed cast members.
Main Cast:
- Rachel Weisz as the unnamed protagonist (professor and narrator)
- Leo Woodall as Vladimir (new faculty member and object of obsession)
- John Slattery as John (the protagonistโs husband)
- Jessica Henwick as Cynthia
- Ellen Robertson as Sid
Recurring Cast:
- Matt Walsh as David
- Kayli Carter as Lila
- Miriam Silverman as Florence
- Mallori Johnson as Edwina
- Tattiawna Jones as Alexis
- Louise Lambert as Dawn
John Slattery, known for his iconic role in Mad Men, plays the husband whose past actions set the story in motion. Jessica Henwick from Glass Onion and Silo takes on the role of Cynthia. Ellen Robertson, recently seen in Mickey 17 and Black Mirror, plays Sid .
Who Is Making Vladimir?
The creative team behind Vladimir brings together award-winning filmmakers and experienced television producers.
Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini are directing multiple episodes, including the pilot. The duo received an Oscar nomination for American Splendor and recently directed episodes of Fleishman Is in Trouble .
Sharon Horgan produces through her company Merman Television. Horgan, the creator of Catastrophe and Bad Sisters, read Jonasโs manuscript and immediately wanted to adapt it.
I fell in love with Juliaโs writing from the very first paragraph. I feel very lucky and incredibly excited for Merman to bring Vladimir to life alongside Small Dog. Getting to partner with Netflix and have Rachel attached is a thrill, and a testament to the brilliance of the scripts .
20th Television serves as the studio behind the series. Jason Winer and Jon Radler of Small Dog Picture Company also executive produce .
Why the Title Matters
The title Vladimir is a deliberate creative choice. Author Julia May Jonas explained the reasoning behind naming the series after the male character.
Itโs a nod to novels that name themselves after the young women whom the man is obsessed with. This is the subject of fixation that weโre going to be talking about, and I wanted to flip the script and have it be coming from a womanโs perspective .
The title immediately signals the role reversal at the heart of the story. The woman is the observer, the desirer, and the narrator. Vladimir is the observed, the desired, and the silent subject of her fantasies.
Rachel Weisz on Adapting the Novel
Rachel Weisz, who won an Oscar for The Constant Gardener and starred in The Favourite, read the novel before she was approached for the role. She spoke about the source material and Jonasโs adaptation.
I had Juliaโs novel, which Iโd read prior to being offered the role, and I had her screenplays. Her writing is so superb. Itโs so funny and mischievous and truthful, and slightly ridiculous. Thatโs what makes it funny .
Weisz also serves as an executive producer on the project. This marks her second major television leading role following Dead Ringers for Amazon Prime Video in 2023 .
Leo Woodall on Working with the Author
Leo Woodall, who broke out with The White Lotus and recently starred in Netflixโs One Day, plays the title character. He praised Julia May Jonas for her leadership on set, especially as a first-time showrunner.
Sheโs extraordinary. It was her first time working on a film set. It was the first time a novel of hers had been made into a TV show, her first time showrunning. She had a lot of responsibility .
Woodall added that having the author present during filming helped the cast understand their complicated characters.
She had so much on her plate, but she dealt with it wonderfully. Sheโs very flexible and collaborative. There were so many points where, being the creator of these characters, she would have insight that was invaluable .
Episode Count and Streaming Release Details
Vladimir consists of eight episodes. All episodes will be available to stream on Netflix starting March 5 .
The series will be available in all Netflix regions, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, India, and worldwide. The release is simultaneous, meaning no waiting period between countries.
Netflix confirmed the March 5 date through its official Tudum press platform in early February 2026, alongside the first look photos and subsequent trailer launch .
Also Read:
The Novelโs Journey to Screen
Julia May Jonas wrote Vladimir while working in academia. The novel was published in early 2022 by Alfred A. Knopf. It quickly became a literary sensation, sparking conversations about the gender politics of desire and the #MeToo movement.
The book deal for television rights was secured before the novel even hit shelves. Sharon Horgan pursued the project aggressively, recognizing the materialโs potential for a limited series format.
Netflix officially greenlit the project in March 2025, with Rachel Weisz attached from the very beginning . Leo Woodall joined the cast in June 2025, and production moved forward quickly . Additional casting announcements followed in July 2025 .
With production now complete and the release date locked, Vladimir stands as one of the most anticipated literary adaptations of the year.
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