Vladimir
Genre Comedy drama
Created by Julia May Jonas
Based on Vladimir
by Julia May Jonas
Starring
  • Rachel Weisz
  • Leo Woodall
  • Jessica Henwick
  • Ellen Robertson
  • John Slattery
Music by Tim Phillips
Country of origin United States
Original language English
No. of episodes 8
Production
Executive producers
  • Sharon Horgan
  • Jason Winer
  • Jon Radler
  • Julia May Jonas
  • Stacey Greenberg
  • Kira Carstensen
  • Robert Pulcini
  • Shari Springer Berman
  • Rachel Weisz
Producer Chris Pavoni
Cinematography
  • Tim Orr
  • Francois Dagenais
Editors
  • John Grenham
  • Tim Streeto
  • Ken Eluto
  • Meg Reticker
Running time 27–32 minutes
Production companies
  • Merman
  • Astral Projection
  • Small Dog Picture Company
  • 20th Television
Original release
Network Netflix
Release March 5, 2026 (2026-03-05)

Vladimir is an American television comedy drama limited series starring Rachel Weisz and Leo Woodall. It is an adaptation of the Julia May Jonas book of the same name. The series was released on March 5, 2026.

Cast

Main

  • Rachel Weisz as M[1]
  • Leo Woodall as Vladimir, a recently hired assistant professor for the English Department
  • Jessica Henwick as Cynthia, Vladimir's wife and a recently hired adjunct professor
  • Ellen Robertson as Sid, M and John's 27-year-old daughter and an attorney in New York City
  • John Slattery as John, M's husband and the chair of the English Department who is recently suspended due to sleeping with students

Recurring

  • Matt Walsh as David, the interim head of the English Department while John is suspended
  • Miriam Silverman as Florence, M's work frenemy
  • Kayli Carter as Lila, M's former student and a complainant against John's case
  • Milton Barnes as Andre
  • Elisa Moolecherry as Priya
  • Mallori Johnson as Edwina

In addition, Louise Lambert co-stars as Dawn, an adjunct professor.

Guest stars

  • Tattiawna Jones as Alexis, Sid's 35-year-old girlfriend
  • Kari Matchett as Lynn, the college president's wife

Production

The eight-part limited series is created by Julia May Jonas based on her novel of the same name, with Rachel Weisz leading the cast. Weisz and Jonas executive produce the series alongside Sharon Horgan, Stacy Greenberg and Kira Carstensen of Merman as well as Jason Winer and Jon Radler of Small Dog Picture Company. 20th Television, where Small Dog had an overall deal, is the studio.[2] Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini direct episodes, including the pilot. Berman and Pulcini also serves as executive producers.[3]

In June 2025, Leo Woodall joined the cast as the titular character Vladimir.[4] The following month John Slattery, Ellen Robertson and Jessica Henwick joined the cast as series regulars as well as Tattiawna Jones, Matt Walsh, Kayli Carter, Miriam Silverman, Louise Lambert and Mallori Johnson in recurring roles.[5]

Filming began in Toronto on July 2, 2025, running into September 2025.[6]

Tim Phillips composed the score for the series.[7]

Episodes

No. Title Directed by Written by Original release date Prod.
code
1 "We Have Always Lived in the Castle" Shari Springer Berman & Robert Pulcini Julia May Jonas March 5, 2026 (2026-03-05) 1RJA01
2 "The Awakening" Shari Springer Berman & Robert Pulcini Julia May Jonas March 5, 2026 (2026-03-05) 1RJA02
3 "Enormous Changes at the Last Minute" Francesca Gregorini Susan Soon He Stanton March 5, 2026 (2026-03-05) 1RJA03
4 "Bad Behavior" Josephine Bornebusch Matthew Capodicasa March 5, 2026 (2026-03-05) 1RJA04
5 "Play It As It Lays" Josephine Bornebusch Jeanie Bergen March 5, 2026 (2026-03-05) 1RJA05
6 "Because It Is Bitter And Because It Is My Heart" Francesca Gregorini Colette Burson March 5, 2026 (2026-03-05) 1RJA06
7 "Everything That Rises Must Converge" Francesca Gregorini Julia May Jonas March 5, 2026 (2026-03-05) 1RJA07
8 "Against Interpretation" Shari Springer Berman & Robert Pulcini Julia May Jonas March 5, 2026 (2026-03-05) 1RJA08

Release

The series premiered on March 5, 2026, on Netflix.[1]

Reception

The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported a 66% approval rating based on 29 critic reviews. The website's critics consensus reads, "Vladimir is a promisingly erotic and academic endeavor that cuts through the clichéd noise of typical sex comedies with inspired vigor and actors who make discussions about desire exciting, intellectual, and affecting."[8] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 65 out of 100 based on 18 critics, indicating "generally favorable".[9]

References

  1. ^ a b Gomez, Dessi (January 27, 2026). "Netflix Sets 'Vladimir' Limited Series Premiere Date And First-Look Photos". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 27, 2026.
  2. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (March 4, 2025). "Rachel Weisz To Star In 'Vladimir' Limited Series Ordered By Netflix". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 18, 2025.
  3. ^ Grobar, Matt; Cordero, Rosy (July 7, 2025). "John Slattery, Jessica Henwick & Ellen Robertson Join Netflix's 'Vladimir' As Series Regulars; Six More Aboard As Recurring". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 8, 2025.
  4. ^ Grobar, Matt; Cordero, Rosy (June 26, 2025). "Leo Woodall To Lead Netflix Limited Series 'Vladimir'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 26, 2025.
  5. ^ Otterson, Joe (July 7, 2025). "John Slattery, Jessica Henwick Among 9 Cast in Netflix Limited Series 'Vladimir' Opposite Rachel Weisz, Leo Woodall". Variety. Retrieved July 8, 2025.
  6. ^ Gittins, Susan (July 2, 2025). "Netflix's VLADIMIR With Rachel Weisz & Leo Woodall Begins Filming in Toronto". Hollywood North Buzz. Retrieved July 8, 2025.
  7. ^ "Tim Phillips Scoring Netflix's 'Vladimir'". Film Music Reporter. February 27, 2026. Retrieved March 4, 2026.
  8. ^ "Vladimir: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved March 6, 2026.
  9. ^ "Vladimir: Season 1". Metacritic. Retrieved March 6, 2026.