Netflix is bringing another classic novel adaptation to the screen.Edith Wharton’sThe Age of Innocence, which was previously filmed byMartin Scorsesein 1993, is being adapted into a miniseries at the streamer. The news comes on the heels, coincidentally, of Miramax announcing plans to produce a series adaptation ofGangs of New York, another Scorsese film that, likeThe Age of Innocence, also starredDaniel Day-Lewis.
Netflix has tapped British screenwriterEmma Frost, a veteran ofShameless,The Spanish Princess, andThe Man in the High Castle, to showrun the series. Frost is not to be confused with the Marvel Comics character of the same name, although she did write forThe White Queen. It will attempt to stay true to the novel’s original themes, while also bringing the novel to a new, younger audience. The series is the latest in Netflix’s attempts to mine the literary canon for content. Two weeks ago, they announced a new version ofJane Austen’sPride and Prejudice, which will starJack Lowden,Emma Corrin, andOlivia Colman.
What Is ‘The Age of Innocence’ About?
First published in 1920 and set in the 1870s at the height of the Gilded Age,The Age of Innocencecenters around Newland Archer, a wealthy and well-connected lawyer who is engaged to the sheltered and naive May Welland (Winona Ryder). However, as his wedding day grows near, he meets and is instantly entranced by Countess Ellen Olenska (Michelle Pfeiffer), May’s vivacious cousin. She’s everything May isn’t, and she’s just scandalized New York society by separating from her husband, a Polish count. Soon, Newland is caught between the two women…and he may learn that May is not as naive as she seems. Wharton won the Pulitzer Prize for the book in 1921, making her the first woman to win it. It has been adapted for the screen three times, including a 1928 silent version that is now lost, and a 1934 version starringIrene DunneandJohn Bowles. However, its most famous adaptation came fromMartin Scorsese; his 1992 rendition stars Day-Lewis as Newland, Winona Ryder as May, and Michelle Pfeiffer as Ellen. It was a success at the box office, earning $68 million USD on a $34 million budget, and was nominated for five Oscars, winning one for Best Costume Design.
In addition to showrunning the series, Frost will executive produceThe Age of InnocencewithPeter Chernin,Jenno Topping, andTracey Cook. The series will be a production of Chernin Entertainment.The Age of Innocenceis in development, butno release date has yet been announced. Stay tuned to Collider for future updates.
The Age of Innocence
