Inspired by Stephen Frears’ 1988 movie, “Dangerous Liaisons,” starring Glenn Close and John Malkovich, French director Jessica Palud’s six-episode adaptation for HBO offers viewers a deeper look at the main character’s early days as a French courtesan. The series—which stars Anamaria Vartolomei as Marquise Isabelle de Merteuil, Vincent Lacoste as Vicomte de Valmont, Diane Kruger as Madame de Rosemonde, and Lucas Bravo as the Comte de Gercourt—will debut on Nov. 14, 2025, with one episode released per week via the network’s streaming platform, HBO Max. Palud directed the series—which was created by Jean-Baptiste Delafon and co-written by Palud, Delafon, and Gaëlle Bellan—but her influence can be felt in everything from the costumes to the set design, as she worked to make sure every element of the production brought her youthful, feminist vision for the story to life.
JUMP TO
Loosely adapted from Pierre Choderlos de Laclos’ cult novel “Les Liaisons Dangereuses” (“Dangerous Liaisons”), “The Seduction” brings a feminist take to a tale about sexual desire and power plays in an era when women had little to no freedom. Starring Vartolomei as Marquise Isabelle de Merteuil, the series follows the feisty persona as she pursues her goal of becoming the most sought-after courtesan in all of Paris. Moving beyond the 1988 film, Palud’s approach works as an origin story of sorts, as she explores Merteuil’s cunning determination to elevate her status in a world where women didn’t have much control over their own fate. Palud ultimately opted to rewind the clock and imagine how the Merteuil of the book and subsequent film became the strong-willed woman who refuses to let any man get the best of her.
Although there’s no main casting director tied to the show at this time, Ozal Emier and Sophie Thurin are responsible for casting the series’ background actors. To learn more about background acting, our guide on what it takes to be an extra can help.
HBO has not yet renewed “The Seduction” for Season 2, but these gig roundups just might feature a role that’ll steal your heart:
Our casting directory pages also offer constant access to the latest listings as they become available:
From its period setting to that French allure, “The Seduction” has all the makings of one addictive binge. So, whether you are seeking a regular role or a background part, you’ll need to know a bit about how to bring this world to life:
Once you have mastered those essential elements, you’ll want to bring that appeal to the audition room. Here’s how you can leave those CDs wanting more: