Netflix’s ‘The Age of Innocence’ Series Reveals Its First Look Ahead of a Winter Premiere

Netflix’s take on ‘The Age of Innocence’ is shaping up to be one of the streamer’s most anticipated period dramas. Based on Edith Wharton’s 1920 novel, which won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction in 1921, the limited series brings one of the most celebrated love triangles in American literature back to the screen.

The story has a famous screen history. Martin Scorsese adapted the novel in 1993 with Daniel Day-Lewis, Michelle Pfeiffer, Winona Ryder and Miriam Margolyes. More than 3 decades later, Netflix is giving the tale a fresh, long-form treatment as part of a wider wave of classic romance adaptations, including its ‘Pride and Prejudice’ miniseries.

Now fans finally have a look at the series. Vanity Fair has revealed the first images from Netflix’s adaptation, and the streamer has confirmed the show will premiere on February 18.

The first-look images lean into the story’s romance and tension. One shows a dark-haired man in formal evening wear leaning close to a young woman in pearls, captured in soft, moody lighting. Another offers a glimpse of an elegant, candlelit interior, hinting at the lavish society settings of 19th-century New York.

Exclusive First Look: Netflix’s Not-So-Innocent ‘Age of Innocence’ When Netflix asked Emma Frost if she’d be interested in adapting Edith Wharton’s ‘The Age of Innocence’ for a new series, Frost fell down a Whartonian rabbit hole—learning everything about the late-in-life sexual awakening that inspired her book. “Once you actually delve into the Wharton archive, there’s all sorts of unpublished works that are explicitly about this experience of being a very sexual woman,” Frost says—even though the published version of ‘Innocence’ contains no actual sex. “The yearning, and the tension, and the longing, and the looks, and all of that delicious stuff is so important. I’ve been really obsessive in trying to capture that, and be very faithful to it.” https://t.co/ExV3eCKy7f
— VANITY FAIR (@VanityFair) November 10, 2026

The series centers on a classic love triangle. It follows the wealthy Newland Archer, his bride-to-be May Welland, and May’s cousin, Countess Ellen Olenska. Netflix’s logline promises a passionate will-they, won’t-they story exploring freedom, duty, identity and love in all its forms. The streamer has said the adaptation stays true to Wharton’s novel while aiming to speak to a new generation, asking whether people should follow their heads or their hearts.

The lead roles feature a strong group of rising stars. Ben Radcliffe plays Newland Archer, while Kristine Froseth plays May Welland. Camila Morrone plays Ellen Olenska, and Emmy winner Margo Martindale plays the cousins’ grandmother, Mrs. Manson-Mingott.

First look at the series adaptation of Edith Wharton’s ‘THE AGE OF INNOCENCE.’ Premieres February 18 on Netflix. 🔗 https://t.co/qbfva0sNEr https://t.co/pdRom8QJZq
— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) November 10, 2026

Several of the leads bring period-drama experience. Froseth is known for ‘The Buccaneers’, Morrone broke out in ‘Daisy Jones & the Six’, and Radcliffe appeared in ‘Masters of the Air’ and ‘Anatomy of a Scandal’.

The ensemble goes much deeper. Fiona Glascott, Belinda Bromilow and Emma Shipp join as series regulars, playing Augusta Welland, Adeline Archer and Janey Archer. The supporting cast also includes Hayley Mills, Will Tudor, John Light and Anna Madeley.

The series is led by an experienced period-drama showrunner. Emma Frost, known for ‘The White Queen’, ‘The White Princess’ and ‘The Spanish Princess’, wrote every episode and serves as showrunner and executive producer.

Behind the camera, Shannon Murphy of ‘Dying for Sex’ directs the first 3 episodes. Lisa Bruhlmann of ‘Killing Eve’ and Natalia Leite of ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ also direct, and Chernin Entertainment produces.

Production took place in Europe. Filming began in Prague in October 2025. The show seems designed to appeal to a wide audience. Deadline noted that the project is clearly aimed at fans of Netflix’s hit period romance ‘Bridgerton’, which is also based on books.

With a Valentine’s season-adjacent release, a romantic premise and a cast full of rising stars, ‘The Age of Innocence’ could become Netflix’s next big period drama. Fans of ‘The Buccaneers’ or the Gilded Age era in particular may find plenty to enjoy. Viewers won’t have to wait long now that a premiere date is set. The first look offers a taste of the series’ moody, romantic style before its arrival on Netflix in February.