‘The Age of Innocence’ Will Begin in February 2027 on Netflix

Netflix has released its first look at its forthcoming adaptation of Edith Wharton's novel The Age of Innocence, and it looks as lush and prestige-y a take on a famously scandalous love triangle as anyone could have hoped for.

Published in 1920, the book was Wharton’s eighth novel and went on to win the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, marking the first time the award was ever given to a woman. But while the series shares a setting with shows like The Gilded Age and the forthcoming The American Heiress, its story and overall vibe are much more serious, exploring themes of forbidden love, duty, and change.

Ben Radcliffe (Masters of the Air) stars as Newland Archer, a wealthy society attorney who is engaged to the sheltered, well-bred May Welland (The Buccaneers’ Kristine Froseth). But when he meets her charismatic cousin, Countess Ellen Oleneska (The Night Manager’s Camila Morrone), he’s helplessly drawn to her unconventional spirit. (Is she about to divorce her husband? Quelle horror!)

As Newland debates whether to leave May for her much more scandalous relation — and what it will mean for his social standing if he does — the story explores themes of duty, class, freedom, and love in all its forms.

Here’s the series’ synopsis.

Based on Edith Wharton’s classic novel of forbidden love in 19th century New York, The Age Of Innocence is a passionate and heart-rending will-they/won’t-they love triangle exploring themes of freedom, duty, identity and love in all its forms. This fresh take is true to Wharton’s novel but will speak to a new generation as we traverse the ballrooms and bedrooms of these young people, asking the question what is love — and what is lust? And should we ultimately be driven by our heads or by our hearts?

Alongside Morrone, Froseth, and Radcliffe, the series also stars Fiona Glascott (Sherlock & Daughter), Belinda Bromilow (The Great), Emma Shipp (Rivals), Anna Madeley (All Creatures Great and Small), John Light (Father Brown), and Margo Martindale (The Sticky).

Emma Frost, best known to Anglophiles for her work on the popular period adaptations The Spanish Princess, The White Queen, and The White Princess, serves as the series showrunner and writer. Shannon Murphy directs the series’ first three episodes, Lisa Brühlmann helms its middle three installments, and Natalia Leite tackles its last two. Frost and Murphy also serve as executive producers, alongside Peter Chernin, Jenno Topping, Tracey Cook, and Pavlina Hatoupis.

The Age of Innocence will premiere on Thursday, February 18, 2027, on Netflix.

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