Summary
Netflix is bringing Edith Wharton’s Pulitzer Prize–winning classic The Age of Innocence back to life in a new limited series. Written by Emma Frost and directed by Shannon Murphy, the show promises to blend period drama, forbidden romance, and modern themes that speak to today’s audience. With casting opportunities on the horizon, actors have a rare chance to join a story that shaped American literature and film.
About The Age of Innocence
Based on Edith Wharton’s celebrated 1920 novel, The Age of Innocence is a story of love, loyalty, and societal expectations in Gilded Age New York. The series follows Newland Archer, a young lawyer torn between duty to his fiancée May Welland and his growing passion for May’s cousin, Ellen Olenska, a divorcee shunned by high society.
Netflix describes the show as “a passionate and heart-rending will-they/won’t-they love triangle” that explores freedom, duty, identity, and the eternal battle between head and heart.
This new adaptation joins the ranks of Netflix’s period hits like Bridgerton, aiming to captivate audiences with lavish ballrooms, intimate scandals, and timeless questions of love and lust.
Cast
Confirmed leads include:
- Ben Radcliffe (Masters of the Air) as Newland Archer
- Camila Morrone (Daisy Jones & the Six) as Ellen Olenska
- Kristine Froseth (The Buccaneers) as May Welland
- Margo Martindale (The Americans) as Mrs. Manson-Mingott
Each actor brings fresh energy to Wharton’s classic characters, setting the stage for a richly emotional adaptation.
Production
- Project Type: Limited Series
- Platform: Netflix
- Production Company: Stillking Films
- Showrunner/Writer: Emma Frost (The White Queen, Shameless)
- Director: Shannon Murphy (Babyteeth) will direct Episodes 1–3
- Additional Directors: Lisa Brühlmann (Killing Eve), Natalia Leite (The Handmaid’s Tale)
- Location: Filming in Prague, Fall 2025
Producers include Emma Frost, Peter Chernin, Jenno Topping, and Tracey Cook in collaboration with Chernin Entertainment.
Outside Information: A Legacy of Adaptations
Wharton’s The Age of Innocence has inspired generations. The 1993 film directed by Martin Scorsese starred Daniel Day-Lewis, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Winona Ryder, earning five Academy Award nominations and one win. This new Netflix version aims to honor that legacy while speaking to a modern audience much like The Queen’s Gambit and Bridgerton redefined classic stories for streaming.
How to Get Cast in The Age of Innocence
1. Monitor Casting Announcements
Casting calls for limited series often appear months before filming. Check Project Casting’s job board for updates on Netflix projects and European productions.
2. Prepare for Period Roles
Casting directors will seek actors who can portray 19th-century New Yorkers with poise, elegance, and depth. Focus your reel on period dramas or roles with heightened emotion.
3. Refine Your Skills in Accent and Diction
Since the series emphasizes upper-class New York society, mastering proper diction and polished mannerisms can give you an edge in auditions.
4. Stay Flexible
Background actors, extras for ballroom scenes, and supporting roles will play a crucial part in building this world. Keep an open mind about opportunities.
5. Network with Casting Agencies
Stillking Films often collaborates with European casting offices. Actors in Prague and nearby regions should connect with local agencies.
Why This Matters
The Age of Innocence stands as one of the great American novels, blending forbidden romance with biting social commentary. Netflix’s adaptation gives today’s actors the chance to participate in a global hit while breathing new life into Wharton’s world. For performers, this project offers a career-defining opportunity in a story that continues to resonate more than a century after publication.
Step Into the Spotlight with Project Casting
Want to join Netflix’s The Age of Innocence? Project Casting is your hub for casting calls, audition tips, and industry updates. Whether you’re chasing your first role or aiming to join a global production, we’ll keep you informed. Visit Project Casting daily so you don’t miss your chance to appear in this timeless love story.
