The Leopard: Tale of Beauty, Power & Change

Glorious palaces, serene nature, and beautiful women in gorgeous dresses — everything about the setting of this 19th-century Sicilian story is alluring and seductive. In just six episodes, each about an hour long, the creators of The Leopard have managed to capture the island’s lavish atmosphere, where — against the backdrop of splendid balls and luxurious dinners — both the intricate twists of individual destinies and the shared future of an entire country are decided.

The Revival of Lampedusa’s novel

The series is based on Il Gattopardo, the novel by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa, first published in 1958. It explores the historical landscape of Italy’s unification in the 1860s through the fate of the noble Corbera family. The book became one of the best-selling novels in Italy’s history and was first adapted for the screen in 1963 by renowned Italian filmmaker Luchino Visconti.

In 2025, Il Gattopardo has been brought back to the screen again by British director Tom Shankland, with Benji Walters and Richard Warlow as screenwriters. With its evocative image and compelling storyline, the series has already become one of the most popular titles on Netflix to date.

A Divided Family

At the center of The Leopard is Don Fabrizio Corbera (played by Kim Rossi Stuart) — a sharp-minded, middle-aged aristocrat struggling to find his place in a post-revolutionary world. Constantly torn between strict morality and ordinary human weaknesses, between family warmth and cold political decisions, Fabrizio embodies the inner conflict of a man caught between two eras.

He also shares a deep bond with his nephew, Tancredi Falconeri (portrayed by Saul Nanni), whose fiery temperament and impulsiveness often get him into trouble. Unlike Fabrizio, however, Tancredi holds different priorities — he does not place family above his own ideals and convictions, setting him apart and creating ongoing tension within the family.

Complex Dilemmas and Sultry Love Stories

While the main political storyline unfolds around Fabrizio, Tancredi finds himself at the center of a love triangle, which serves as one of the emotional cores of the series. He is torn between his cousin, the intelligent and well-mannered Concetta Corbera, played by Benedetta Porcaroli, and the seductive, ambitious, and free-spirited Angelica Sedara (Deva Cassel).

The series offers a rich cast of well-developed, multidimensional characters and outstanding performances, making it appealing to a broad audience — especially for those who enjoy complex moral dilemmas intertwined with love stories, that are set against the backdrop of significant historical events.

Light and Darkness Within

While visually stunning with its elegant aesthetics and 19th-century fashion, The Leopard is much more than just a beautiful picture. It delves deeply into themes of adaptation to shifting realities and the struggle of those used to holding power to find their place within new systems of authority. And though on a personal level, it’s easy to sympathize with their efforts, in a broader context it leaves viewers with mixed feelings.

The reason for such an effect is that The Leopard doesn’t divide the world into black and white. Every well-crafted character carries both light and darkness within, inviting viewers to judge their actions rather than labeling them as entirely good or bad. This moral complexity, combined with a rich exploration of universal themes, makes The Leopard a series where anyone can find something to connect with and reflect on.