Inside Netflix’s “Vladimir”: Rachel Weisz, Forbidden Desire, and a Literary Adaptation

FAST FACTS:

• “Vladimir” premieres on Netflix March 5
• Limited series starring Rachel Weisz and Leo Woodall
• Based on the acclaimed novel by Julia May Jonas
• Follows an English professor who becomes obsessed with a new colleague
• Trailer released Feb. 11, 2026, with 1,198,542 views
• Explores themes of seduction, obsession, and forbidden desires
• The professor has a complicated marriage that’s thrown into chaos
• Netflix title ID: 81737585

Netflix is diving into provocative territory with “Vladimir,” a limited series that explores the dangerous intersection of desire and professional boundaries. Starring Academy Award winner Rachel Weisz and Leo Woodall, the series premieres March 5 with a story about obsession that threatens to destroy everything in its path.

The series follows an English professor whose carefully constructed life begins to unravel when she becomes dangerously fixated on her magnetic new colleague. Netflix describes the professor as “passionate but reckless,” suggesting a character whose impulses override her better judgment.

“Lust can make you do crazy things,” the trailer declares, setting the tone for a series that promises to explore the extremes of desire. The professor’s obsession doesn’t occur in a vacuum — she’s already navigating a complicated marriage, adding layers of betrayal and consequence to her fixation on the handsome newcomer portrayed by Woodall.

Based on the acclaimed novel by Julia May Jonas, “Vladimir” brings a literary source to Netflix’s growing collection of prestige limited series. Jonas’s novel received critical attention for its exploration of female desire, power dynamics in academia, and the complexity of middle-aged sexuality — themes that appear central to the Netflix adaptation.

Netflix’s description promises “a provocative limited series brimming with forbidden desires, razor-sharp wit, and charismatic, unpredictable characters.” The emphasis on wit suggests the series won’t treat its subject matter with complete seriousness, instead balancing dark obsession with sharp dialogue and potentially satirical elements about academic life.

The professor character “risks everything to bring her most scandalous fantasies to life” as “boundaries blur and secrets simmer,” according to Netflix’s promotional materials. This language suggests escalating stakes as the professor crosses increasingly serious lines in pursuit of her colleague.

Woodall’s role as the magnetic colleague positions him as both object of desire and potential catalyst for destruction. Described as “handsome” and “magnetic,” his character appears designed to justify — at least partially — the professor’s dangerous fixation, even as the series explores the consequences of her choices.

The academic setting adds particular resonance to the story. Universities are environments where professional boundaries and power dynamics are supposed to be carefully maintained, making the professor’s obsession especially transgressive. Her career is thrown into chaos alongside her marriage, suggesting professional consequences for her personal choices.

Rachel Weisz brings considerable gravitas to the lead role. As an Academy Award winner known for complex, intelligent performances, she’s well-suited to portray a character whose intelligence doesn’t protect her from destructive impulses. The role appears to offer Weisz material for a nuanced exploration of desire, regret, and the gap between who we think we are and what we’re capable of doing.

The limited series format indicates a complete, contained story rather than an open-ended narrative. This structure suits an adaptation of a novel, allowing the filmmakers to tell Jonas’s complete story without the pressure to extend it beyond its natural conclusion.

The trailer, released Feb. 11, has accumulated 1,198,542 views, suggesting strong viewer interest in the provocative premise. The combination of acclaimed source material, prestige casting, and adult themes positions “Vladimir” as a series targeting Netflix’s more mature audience.

“Seduction and obsession collide in Vladimir,” Netflix declares, promising a series that won’t shy away from the darker aspects of desire and the damage it can cause.

What to watch next:

• Episode count and whether any early reviews address how faithfully the series adapts Jonas’s novel
• Critical discussion of how the series handles themes of female desire and academic power dynamics
• Viewer reception and whether the provocative subject matter resonates with audiences

Sources: Netflix YouTube channel (Vladimir Official Trailer, Feb. 11, 2026)