‘Masterpiece’ period drama based on ‘one of the best novels’ is on Netflix now

Netflix has the perfect costume drama for those who love shows set in a different era.

A woman in a red dress sits at a table with candles on it
The Leopard has been hailed by many as a masterpiece (Image: NETFLIX)
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Fans missing Downton Abbey and The Gilded Age should try this delicious Netflix period drama.

Based on Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa’s 1958 novel of the same name, The Leopard is a sumptuous period drama set in 19th century Sicily.

The six-part Italian period drama follows the Prince of Salina and his aristocratic family during a period of upheaval.

The Leopard is set against the backdrop of Risorgimento, or the unification of Italy, as various stats and the Italian peninsula all were brought into the Kingdom of Italy.

A woman looks serious as she dances with a man

The show came out in 2025 and has wowed audiences (Image: NETFLIX)
During this time, there was much political and social movement as well as rebellions and revolutions before it became the Kingdom on Italy.

A summary of the show from Netflix reads: “Based on what many consider to be one of the greatest Italian novels of all time, The Leopard is a dazzlingly sensuous epic, set against the backdrop of revolution in 1860s Sicily.

“At its heart is Don Fabrizio Corbera, the Prince of Salina, who leads a life surrounded by beauty and privilege. But as Italy moves towards unification and the old aristocratic order is threatened, he realizes that his family’s future is in jeopardy.

“New allegiances must be made, each one a threat to his principles. Eventually Don Fabrizio is faced with an impossible choice.

“He has the power to engineer a marriage, between the rich and beautiful Angelica and his nephew Tancredi, that could secure his family’s legacy, but doing so he would break his favorite daughter, Concetta’s heart.

“The series will be a modern exploration of timeless themes – power, love, and the cost of progress.”

A woman in a pink dress stands next to a man in a suit

The Leopard is a sumptuous 19th century period drama (Image: NETFLIX)

The Leopard features an impressive cast, including Everybody Loves Diamonds star Kim Rossi Stuart as Don Fabrizio Corbera, Prince of Salina, Benedetta Porcaroli from Netflix’s Baby as Concetta Corbera di Salina, Love & Gelato’s Saul Nanni as Tancredi Falconeri, and The Beautiful Summer star Deva Cassel as Angelica Sedara.

Other cast members include Astrid Meloni, Paolo Calabresi, Gaetano Bruno, Francesco Di Leva, Alessandro Sperduti, Jozef Gjura, and Romano Reggiani.

One person posted in their 10/10 review: “Cinematography is absolutely stunning. What a beautiful period piece ; costumes magical, This is a stunningly visually crafted masterpiece of a series.”

A second top-tier review declared it a “masterpiece” and the reviewer said: “This is an absolute must-see series! It could have actually been a cinema film, this is the perfection of its film making. An epic construction of story telling, acting, costumes, scenery and music offers an utter delight to watch.”

A third top-rated review said it was an “absolute masterpiece” and explained: “The journey is beautiful, poignant, and brutally honest.”

Yet another gave it 10/10 and hailed it a “masterpiece” as they wrote: “I wish there were MORE series like this: based on literature, ravishingly beautiful and (99%) aesthetically accurate.”

They added, comparing it to Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes’ other big show: “The Gilded Age could learn a lesson from “The Leopard’s” creative team.”

The Leopard is streaming on Netflix now

CRE: https://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/2215976/masterpiece-period-drama-based-one