For those feeling a void after finishing Bridgerton and seeking a new binge-worthy series to dive into, Netflix’s latest offering, the steamy comedy-drama Vladimir, might just be the perfect antidote. This intriguing new show transports viewers into the hallowed halls of academia, where it centres on a middle-aged English college professor. Her life takes a dramatic turn as she finds herself infatuated with a younger colleague, all while her husband grapples with serious allegations of misconduct within the faculty.
Based on the critically acclaimed novel of the same name by Julia May Jones, the eight-part series delves into a complex tapestry of themes. It fearlessly explores middle-aged desires, the pervasive impact of cancel culture, and the generational divides in perspectives on sensitive subjects. The cast is brimming with familiar faces, ensuring many viewers will recognise talents from their previous on-screen endeavours.
Where You’ve Seen the Cast of Vladimir Before
Let’s take a closer look at the actors bringing Vladimir to life and where you might have encountered them previously.
Rachel Weisz
Oscar-winning Hollywood luminary Rachel Weisz takes on the role of the narrator in Vladimir, a character who notably breaks the fourth wall. Weisz’s career-defining moment arrived in 1999 with her iconic portrayal of Evelyn Carnahan in The Mummy and its sequel, a role that remains etched in cinematic history.
Her career in the 2000s was marked by a string of successful films, including the war drama Enemy At The Gates, the Nick Hornby adaptation About A Boy alongside Hugh Grant, and the supernatural thriller Constantine with Keanu Reeves. In 2005, she earned an Academy Award for her compelling performance as an activist in the thriller The Constant Gardener. More recently, Weisz has graced the big screen in major blockbusters such as The Bourne Legacy and Black Widow. In 2018, she received another Oscar nomination for her role as Sarah Churchill in the period drama The Favourite. Beyond her professional life, Rachel Weisz married Daniel Craig in 2011, and the couple welcomed a daughter in 2018.
Leo Woodall
Leo Woodall, who embodies the titular character Vladimir, first captured widespread attention in the second season of The White Lotus, where he played Quentin’s “naughty nephew.” Following this success, he made appearances in two episodes of Richard Madden’s Amazon Prime action series Citadel. He then starred as Dexter in the popular Netflix adaptation of David Nicholls’ novel One Day.
Last year, Woodall took on a leading role in the Apple TV+ thriller Prime Target, portraying a mathematician who stumbles upon an international political conspiracy. He also garnered significant acclaim for his performance in the World War II drama Nuremberg, alongside Russell Crowe and Rami Malek, with critics hailing his work as one of the year’s most underrated. Interestingly, Vladimir isn’t Woodall’s first foray into portraying a younger character involved with an older love interest. In 2025, he appeared in the fourth Bridget Jones film, Mad About The Boy, as Roxster, a younger romantic interest for the iconic diarist. Woodall’s career is set for continued growth, with upcoming projects including Tunner with Dustin Hoffman, the sci-fi film Nomad, and the Anthony Bourdain biopic Tony.
John Slattery
John Slattery is perhaps most recognised for his indelible portrayal of Roger Sterling in the critically acclaimed series Mad Men, a role for which he received four Emmy nominations and secured two Screen Actors Guild Awards.
Beyond Mad Men, Slattery has graced numerous television shows. He played Will Truman’s brother, Sam, in Will & Grace, Amy’s estranged husband in Judging Amy, and the politician with a secret, Bill Kelley, in Sex and the City. He also starred as Gabrielle Solis’s second husband in Desperate Housewives. On the silver screen, Slattery appeared as Julia Roberts’ character’s boyfriend in Mona Lisa Smile, held a role alongside Matt Damon in The Adjustment Bureau, and portrayed journalist Ben Bradlee Jr. in the Oscar-winning drama Spotlight. Within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Slattery played Howard Stark, Tony Stark’s father, in flashback sequences. More recently, he portrayed the real-life prison warden Burton C. Andrus in the film Nuremberg.
Jessica Henwick
British actor Jessica Henwick rose to prominence in 2015 with her role as Nymeria Sand in the globally popular series Game of Thrones. In the same year, she took on the part of Resistance pilot Jessika “Testor” Pava in the Star Wars reboot The Force Awakens.
Henwick’s filmography also includes a leading role as Bugs in The Matrix Resurrections, Carmichael’s subordinate Suzanne in The Gray Man, and Kate Hudson’s character’s assistant in the second Knives Out film, Glass Onion. On television, she has played Colleen Wing in several Marvel TV series and starred as Helen in the Apple TV+ science fiction thriller Silo. Audiences can look forward to seeing her next alongside Glen Powell in How To Make A Killing, and in the upcoming Taron Egerton comedy Everybody Wants To ** Me.
Matt Walsh
It’s important not to confuse him with the controversial political commentator of the same name. Matt Walsh boasts a prolific career that has consistently brought laughter to audiences both on the big and small screens. He is widely recognised for his role as Mike McLintock in the satirical comedy Veep. Fans of sitcoms will undoubtedly have seen him in a multitude of comedy appearances, including Brooklyn Nine-Nine, The Conners, and Curb Your Enthusiasm. On the big screen, he has delivered memorable supporting performances in comedies such as Old School, Be Kind Rewind, and Ted.
Ellen Robertson
Before making her mark in Hollywood, English writer-comedian Ellen Robertson was a beloved figure on the British fringe comedy circuit. Robertson’s acting debut came in the 2020 BBC Agatha Christie adaptation The Pale Horse. She also featured in single episodes of comedies like In My Skin, Pls Like, and Stephen Merchant’s The Outlaws. She had minor roles in the standout Black Mirror episode “Joan Is Awful” and Lena Dunham’s Netflix dramedy Too Much. Her first feature film role arrived in 2025, where she starred alongside Robert Pattinson, Toni Collette, and Mark Ruffalo in Mickey 17.
Miriam Silverman
Miriam Silverman is known for her roles as Bernice in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and Gretchen in Your Friends & Neighbours. Vladimir marks a reunion for Silverman with Rachel Weisz, as she previously appeared alongside the English star in Prime Video’s Dead Ringers. Viewers may have also recently seen Silverman in the American drama Landman, where she played Greta, a TCU admissions officer. On stage, she is a Tony Award winner, recognised for her performance in the 2023 Broadway revival of The Sign In Sidney Brustein’s Window.
Kayli Carter
Kayli Carter is already a familiar face to regular Netflix viewers for her role as Sadie in the miniseries Godless. She also portrayed the fictional housewife Pamela in the political miniseries Mrs. America, sharing the screen with Cate Blanchett, Rose Byrne, and Elizabeth Banks. In film, Carter appeared in Bad Education, opposite Hugh Jackman and Allison Janney, and also featured in Kevin Costner’s Western Let Him Go. In 2019, she earned an Independent Spirit Award nomination for her performance in Paul Giamatti’s comedy-drama Private Life. Most recently, Carter played the real-life folk musician Maria Muldaur opposite Timothée Chalamet in the Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown.
Elisa Moolecherry
Canadian actor Elisa Moolecherry has been a consistent presence in the industry for over two decades. She is best known to some as Joey Jeremiah’s girlfriend, Sydney, in seasons three and four of Degrassi: The Next Generation. Her other credits include smaller roles in The Girlfriend Experience, Designated Survivor, and Suits. She recently appeared in Tiny Pretty Things as the journalist Zandara.
Tattiawna Jones
Tattiawna Jones has been a regular fixture on our screens since her debut on Flashpoint in 2011. While well-known in Canada throughout the early 2010s, she gained international recognition in 2017 with her role in the second season of The Handmaid’s Tale. She played Lillie, a Handmaid initially assigned to Commander Glen, who later becomes involved in the Red Centre Bombing. Jones also had a seven-episode arc in the post-apocalyptic drama The 100 and was a lead in the 2019 remake of Lost In Space. Since then, she has played Dr. Chaudhary in Station Eleven, portrayed a corporate security agent in the Orphan Black off-shoot Echoes, and had a leading role alongside Alexander Skarsgård in the Apple TV+ science fiction comedy Murderbot.
Mallori Johnson
You might recognise Mallori Johnson from her role in the 2022 miniseries WeCrashed, starring alongside Anne Hathaway and Jared Leto. She also played the lead role of Dana James in the sci-fi adaptation Kindred. As a rising star, Johnson is set to appear next in Is God Is, a big-screen thriller featuring Janelle Monáe and Sterling K. Brown.
All episodes of Vladimir are currently available to stream on Netflix.
