Netflix’s adaptation of "luxurious" love triangle period drama gets yearning-filled first look

While all eyes are on the upcoming adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, Netflix has quietly released some first-look pictures of another period drama that's a masterclass in yearning. Releasing in February, The Age of Innocence adapts Edith Wharton's Pulitzer Prize-winning 1920 novel of the same name, centred on a love triangle in high-society 1870s New York.

The eight-part series features Kristine Froseth - who also stars in Apple TV's adaptation of Wharton's final, unfinished novel, The Buccaneers - as well as Ben Radcliffe and Camila Morrone as the three points of the love triangle.

The plot centres on Radcliffe's Newland Archer and Froseth's May Welland, who are engaged to be married. However, the couple's plans are thrown into chaos by the arrival of May's cousin, Ellen Olenska (Morrone).

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Written by The White Queen's Emma Frost, Netflix's take on Wharton's classic novel promises to "be true" to the source material while offering a fresher look at the story. Frost also serves as showrunner and executive producer.

With the title referring "to a world that's lost its innocence" (via Tudum), Netflix's limited series "will speak to a new generation as it traverses the ballrooms and bedrooms of its young characters, asking what love is - and what lust is.".

It adds: "And, should we ultimately be driven by our heads or by our hearts?"

Meanwhile, a host of longing-filled first-look images anticipate the heartache of the series, with Newland wistfully glancing at Ellen during a dinner party. Meanwhile, a different close-up of Newland and May suggests tension brewing for the pair.

Related: How Olivia Colman and Emma Corrin left crew "sobbing" in Netflix's Pride and Prejudice

Rounding out the cast of The Age of Innocence are Fiona Glascott, Belinda Bromilow, Emma Shipp, John Light and Margo Martindale. The latter's role as Ellen and May's grandmother, Mrs Manson-Mingott, is revealed in a first-look snap.

Wharton's acclaimed novel was previously adapted for the screen in Martin Scorsese's Oscar-winning 1993 film, starring Winona Ryder as May, Michelle Pfeiffer as Ellen, and Daniel Day-Lewis as Newland. The movie remains one of Scorsese's most arresting projects, with The Guardian calling it "a luxurious work of art".

All eight episodes of The Age of Innocence are released on Netflix on 18 February.

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Reporter, Digital Spy

Stefania is a freelance writer specialising in TV and movies. After graduating from City University, London, she covered LGBTQ+ news and pursued a career in entertainment journalism, with her work appearing in outlets including Little White Lies, The Skinny, Radio Times and Digital Spy. 

Her beats are horror films and period dramas, especially if fronted by queer women. She can argue why Scream is the best slasher in four languages (and a half).