The “Dangerous Liaisons” series at Starz has cast Alice Englert and Nicholas Denton in the two lead roles, Variety has learned.
A reimagining on the Pierre Choderlos de Laclos book of the same name, the series tells the origin story of how the Marquise de Merteuil (Englert) and the Vicomte de Valmont (Denton) meet as passionate young lovers in Paris on the eve of revolution. Driven to right the wrongs of their past, we follow the couple as they rise from the slums of Paris and scale the heights of the French aristocracy, seducing and manipulating both the nobility and each other to survive.
Englert recently appeared in shows like “The Serpent” and “Ratched.” She is also known for “Top of the Lake,” “Beautiful Creatures,” and “Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell.” Denton, meanwhile, is known for projects such as “Glitch” and “Pillars.”
Denton is repped by United, Megan Silverman Management, and UTA. Englert is repped by Hamilton Hodell and CAA.
Leonora Lonsdale will direct the first four episodes of the season. The series is created and written by Harriet Warner, who also serves as executive producer. Warner previously created the series “Tell Me Your Secrets” and also worked on shows like “Call the Midwife.” The series is produced by Lionsgate Television and Playground. Playground’s Colin Callender, Tony Krantz of Flame Ventures, Bethan Jones, Scott Huff, and Christopher Hampton also executive produce. Coline Abert, James Dormer, and Rita Kalnejais will serve as writers on the series alongside Warner.
The “Dangerous Liaisons” series was originally ordered at Starz in 2019. The novel has been adapted variously for the stage and the big screen, most famously in 1988 by Warner Bros. and British director Stephen Frears. That iteration was headlined by Glenn Close as Merteuil, John Malkovich as Valmont and won three Oscars for adapted screenplay, costume design and production design.