Andrew Scott is the original con man in Netflix's "Ripley"
If you like tales of con artists, you've probably heard of "Ripley's Talent." Patricia Highsmith's 1955 novel and its four sequels have inspired Hollywood for decades, including the 1999 film adaptation starring Matt Damon and Jude Law and the more recent discourse-producing "Salt Burn.") And now Netflix has hired Andrew Scott of "Fleabag" and "All of Us Strangers" to give Tom Ripley an artistic spin. The limited series, from Oscar winner Steven Zaillian of "Schindler's List" and "Night of," will premiere on April 4 and promises a stylish new adaptation.
Set in New York City in the early 1960s, the story follows Tom Ripley (Scott), a cunning crook whose life is changed when he is hired by a wealthy tycoon to convince his vagabond son (Tom's former acquaintance) to return home. Upon arriving in Italy, Tom begins to infiltrate the lives of privileged playboys; the Netflix synopsis announces that "Tom's acceptance of this job is the first step into a complicated life filled with deception, fraud, and murder."
In addition to Scott (who also serves as producer), "Lovesick" and "Emma" actor Johnny Flynn plays Dickie Greenleaf, a wealthy playboy Tom is asked to track down in Italy. Dakota Fanning will also star as Marge Sherwood, Dickie's girlfriend who has suspicions about Tom. Elliot Sumner, Maurizio Lombardi, Margherita Vai, and John Malkovich (who previously played a famous con artist in the 2002 film "Ripley's Game") will also star.
Netflix released the first teaser for the series on January 21, offering stylish and tense footage of Tom Ripley evading arrest while crossing New York and Italy. The film also offers glimpses of scenes familiar to fans of the original, such as Tom falsifying his passport, walking out the door with an Italian detective, and riding in a small boat in the middle of the ocean.
The eight-episode limited series will debut on Netflix on April 4, 2024, with all episodes premiering at once.
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