The Age of Innocence First Look Unveiled by Netflix

Netflix has unveiled the premiere date and first photos for The Age of Innocence, the new limited series adapted by Emma Frost from Edith Wharton’s classic novel. All eight episodes premiere on February 18, 2027.

Starring Camila Morrone, Kristine Froseth, Ben Radcliffe, Fiona Glascott, Belinda Bromilow, Emma Shipp, John Light, and Margo Martindale, the contemporary reimagining of Wharton’s tale of forbidden love in 19th-century New York is a heart-rending romance exploring freedom, duty, identity, and love in all its forms.

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?

Morrone (who plays Ellen Olenska), Froseth (as May Welland), and Radcliffe (as Newland Archer) star as the love triangle at the heart of the series. “Newland, the perfect society gentleman, is newly engaged to the perfect society young woman, May. Into that comes May’s cousin Ellen, who is beset by scandal,” Frost explained to the Netflix blog Tudum.

“Newland knew Ellen as a child and falls passionately in love with her. The story is about the choice between following your heart or staying with duty and convention.”

Frost is excited for viewers to be enchanted by her starring trio. “Ben Radcliffe was a revelation as Newland. Cami is fearless as a performer,” Frost said. “Kristine made May effervescent and open, innocent, and hopeful.” See the actors embody Newland, May, and Ellen in the first-look images.

Frost (The White Queen, The White Princess, Jamaica Inn, Shameless), Peter Chernin, Jenno Topping, and Tracey Cook executive produce. Shannon Murphy (Dying for Sex, Babyteeth) directs alongside Lisa Brühlmann (Killing Eve) and Natalia Leite (The Handmaid’s Tale).

The Age of Innocence cast includes Kristine Froseth (The Buccaneers; Oh, Canada) as May Welland, a kind and genuine woman who is a product of her social class. May is a rule follower and a believer in the status quo, but she nonetheless has a rebellious streak.

Camila Morrone (Daisy Jones & the Six, Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen) plays Ellen Olenska, May’s intelligent and independent cousin who returns to New York after a failed marriage to a Polish nobleman. Ellen is a free spirit who is playful, smart, and strong-willed, yet carries conflict and guilt surrounding her new position in society.

Ben Radcliffe (Masters of the Air, Anatomy of a Scandal) stars as Newland Archer, a handsome, progressive, and intelligent gentleman of society. Newland craves a deeper and more passionate connection to the world.

Margo Martindale (The Americans, Justified) portrays Mrs. Manson Mingott, May and Ellen’s grandmother, who is entertaining, scurrilous, defiant, capricious, stubborn, and greedy. Fiona Glascott (Julia, Brooklyn, Fantastic Beasts) plays May’s traditional and loving mother, Augusta Welland.

Belinda Bromilow (The Great, The Roses) plays Adeline Archer, Newland’s mother, an independent, well-informed widow who prefers solitude. Emma Shipp (Rivals, What It Feels Like for a Girl) is Newland’s sister, Janey Archer, who is unmarried and desperately wishes to change that.

Hayley Mills (Trap, Arthur’s Whiskey) stars as Louisa van der Luyden, Adeline’s cousin and an influential and regal member of New York society. Michael Cochrane (Downton Abbey, Sharpe) plays Henry van der Luyden, Adeline’s regal, reserved, and old-fashioned cousin, who is also a descendant of British royalty.

Ryan Morgan (Mix Tape, The Mongoose) portrays Lawrence Lefferts, Newland’s snide yet sociable friend. Kel Matsena (Mad Heidi, Mix Tape) plays Ned Winsett, a friend of Newland’s and an editor at a radical women’s magazine.

Lucia Balordi (A testa alta) is Nastasia, Ellen’s lady’s maid who has become a close friend and confidant. Steven Pacey (MobLand, Nuremberg) plays John Welland, May’s father, a learned yet absent and unemotional judge.

Will Tudor (Industry, Wolf Hall) plays Sillerton Jackson, Newland’s friend with a lofty demeanor, a taste for gossip, and secrets of his own. Elly Roberts (Sex Education, Black Cake) is Edith Mingott, the sweet and unassuming cousin of May and Ellen.

Jack Cutmore-Scott (Buffy the Vampire Slayer: New Sunnydale, Frasier) portrays Julius Beaufort, an arrogant banker at the center of society; Anna Madeley (Fatherland, All Creatures Great and Small) plays Aunt Medora, Ellen’s lively, amoral aunt and former guardian; and John Light (Around the World in 80 Days, Showtrial) is Mr. Lovell Mingott, May and Ellen’s pious and community-minded uncle.