Starz orders a "timely" and "relevant" remake of Dangerous Liaisons

Deadline

The premium cable network has given an eight-episode order for a prequel series based on Pierre Choderlos de Laclos’ classic 18th Century tale of seduction, betrayal and revenge set in the world of the French aristocracy shortly before the French revolution. Dangerous Liaisons was first published in 1782, telling the story of Marquise de Merteuil and the Vicomte de Valmont, two narcissistic rivals and ex-lovers who use seduction to control and exploit others. According to Deadline, "the series will tell the origin story of the early years of both characters when they meet as passionate young lovers in the slums of 18th century Paris. It will be told from the perspective of Merteuil, informed by her line from the novel, 'Born to avenge my sex and conquer yours, I have succeeded in inventing strategies for doing so that before me had never been conceived.'" The book was turned into a Stephen Frears-directed Oscar-winning movie in 1988, starring Glenn Close, John Malkovich and Michelle Pfeiffer, with supporting roles from Keanu Reeves, Uma Thurman and Peter Capaldi. Harriet Warner will write and serve as showrunner on Dangerous Liaisons. “In Harriet Warner’s brilliantly re-imagined world of Dangerous Liaisons the character of Merteuil is placed center stage as a woman quietly challenging the status quo of sexual politics, holding others to account, particularly for the abuse of sexual power and male privilege," said executive producer Colin Callender. "In the wake of the #MeToo movement, a story about the claiming of female power in a world where women are objects of male domination feels strikingly timely and powerfully relevant.”