Academy Award winner Rachel Weisz (“The Constant Gardener”) stars as “The Protagonist” in the new limited series “Vladimir,” which premiered on Thursday, March 5th on Netlix.
Weisz plays a liberal arts college professor in a small town in upstate New York opposite Leo Woodall.
The synopsis is: When a passionate but reckless professor’s world begins to unravel, she finds herself dangerously fixated on her magnetic new colleague.
Seduction and obsession collide in “Vladimir”—a provocative limited series brimming with forbidden desires, razor-sharp wit, and charismatic, unpredictable characters.
As boundaries blur and secrets simmer, she’ll risk everything to bring her most scandalous fantasies to life.
The show is based on the acclaimed novel (of the same name) by Julia May Jonas.
Taking on a complex character as ‘The Protagonist’
Weisz describes her character as “passionate and fantasist,” as well as a “very good mother.”
Regarding her preparation for this complicated role, who is simply known as “The Protagonist,” she said, “I had Julia’s novel, which I had read prior to being offered the role, and I had her screenplays.”
“Julia’s writing is so superb. It’s so funny, mischievous, truthful, and slightly ridiculous. That’s what makes it funny,” she added.
Weisz on the new series ‘Vladimir’
On her new series “Vladimir,” she remarked, “The show is about my character’s obsession with a younger colleague.”
“The series explores themes related to desire, obsession, sexuality, and lust. It also delves into the world of on-campus gender politics and cancel culture,” she added.
Weisz addresses the tone of the show
Regarding the tone of the series, she said, “The tone of the series is like a heightened fairy tale centering on my character, who becomes obsessed with this younger man.”
“There is definitely comedy and drama. It’s mischievous, and it’s a good tonal cocktail for exploring some very serious subjects,” she added.
Evolution of her character throughout the series
Regarding the evolution of her character throughout the series, she said, “At the beginning of the series, my character and her husband have been the king and queen of the English literary department. They’ve been very celebrated, and they’re a beloved teaching couple.”
“10 years ago, my character’s husband, John, played by John Slattery, had affairs with students who were all over 18,” Weisz said. “This has come to light as the series begins.”
“John has been suspended from teaching, and their professional world is beginning to fall apart. They are both under a lot of stress,” she noted.
“The woman you meet at the beginning of the series is trying to hold on for dear life as the Earth has shifted out from under her, because her husband’s going to be tried at a hearing for his past indiscretions,” she elaborated.
“This affects the protagonist’s standing as a professor because, by association, her reputation is tainted. Students question how she can ‘Stand by her man.’ The protagonist’s world is crumbling. She is losing her throne. They’ve had an open marriage for many years, since they first got together,” she explained.
“It worked well for both of them at first — they both had affairs, but the protagonist hadn’t really been partaking for some time, whereas John continued to have affairs right up to the present moment,” she added.
Weisz on the character Vladimir
The object of her character’s desire is her much younger, newly-hired colleague Vladimir (played by Leo Woodall).
“My character falls into a deep obsession with Vladimir Vladinski, who is played by Leo Woodall. He is kind. He listens. He’s courteous. He has old-school manners. He’s thoughtful. He’s interested in her writing career,” she said.
“Vladimir asks her questions that other people don’t ask her and of course, it’s helpful that he is staggeringly handsome and beautiful. It’s really his personality — his kindness, and the fact that he notices her. She feels seen,” she added.
Working with Leo Woodall as her leading man
In this series, Weisz worked opposite Leo Woodall as her leading man, the title character.
“Leo brings soul to the role. He’s a really soulful young man, and he’s incredibly talented,” she said. “I always tease him: Acting just seems very easy for him. I don’t know how he does it, because I can never see the wheels turning.”
“Leo has empathy, heart and wit, and gentleness. He is also got machismo, which is really natural to him and not put-on. So he’s an interesting cocktail. Like the novel, the story plays out through the protagonist’s perspective,” the Oscar winner elaborated.
Working with John Slattery
On working with John Slattery, Weisz said, “John is an incredibly real and natural actor, intensely funny and intelligent. He has a lightning-speed train of thought and wit. It was a total pleasure.”
Read More: Interview with Miriam Silverman about “Vladimir”
