Netflix's period drama 'The Leopard,' set in 19th-century Sicily, is being hailed as a 'masterpiece' by viewers, making it a perfect watch for fans of Downton Abbey and The Gilded Age.
What Is 'The Leopard' About?
Adapted from Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa's 1958 novel, the six-part Italian series follows the Prince of Salina and his aristocratic family during the Risorgimento, the unification of Italy. The story unfolds against a backdrop of political and social upheaval as various states form the Kingdom of Italy.
A Netflix synopsis describes it as 'a dazzlingly sensuous epic, set against the backdrop of revolution in 1860s Sicily.' At its heart is Don Fabrizio Corbera, the Prince of Salina, who faces an impossible choice to secure his family's legacy through a marriage between his nephew Tancredi and the rich Angelica, breaking his daughter Concetta's heart.
Cast and Critical Acclaim
The ensemble cast includes Kim Rossi Stuart as Don Fabrizio, Benedetta Porcaroli as Concetta, Saul Nanni as Tancredi, and Deva Cassel as Angelica. Other cast members include Astrid Meloni, Paolo Calabresi, and Gaetano Bruno.
Viewers have given the series rave reviews. One wrote: 'Cinematography is absolutely stunning. What a beautiful period piece; costumes magical. This is a stunningly visually crafted masterpiece of a series.' Another called it 'an absolute must-see series,' adding, 'It could have actually been a cinema film, this is the perfection of its film making.'
Comparisons to Other Period Dramas
One reviewer noted: 'The Gilded Age could learn a lesson from The Leopard's creative team.' The series has been praised for its aesthetic accuracy and literary roots, with a viewer commenting: 'I wish there were MORE series like this: based on literature, ravishingly beautiful and (99%) aesthetically accurate.'
'The Leopard' is now streaming on Netflix.
