Show summary Hide summary
Leo Woodall just joined Sydney Sweeney‘s ambitious adaptation of Edith Wharton‘s classic novel Custom of the Country. The exciting casting announcement happened in February 2026, adding star power to the Studiocanal film. This pairing marks a major moment for period drama adaptation.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Announcement Date: February 17, 2026 via exclusive Deadline report
- Director: Josie Rourke adapted script from Wharton’s classic 1913 novel
- Production: Studiocanal financing with Rabbit’s Foot Films producing
- Leo Woodall: Rising star known for One Day, White Lotus, and Bridget Jones
A Dream Pairing of Rising Talent and Prestige
Leo Woodall, aged 29, represents a new generation of leading men in Hollywood. The British actor earned widespread recognition for his Netflix miniseries One Day opposite Ambika Mod. His breakthrough moments include season two of The White Lotus and a 2025 role in Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy.
Pairing him opposite Sydney Sweeney creates chemistry between two of entertainment’s most compelling young performers. The Euphoria star brings proven dramatic range and box office appeal to Undine Spragg, the novel’s fiercely ambitious protagonist.
Undine Spragg Takes Center Stage in New Adaptation
Sydney Sweeney plays an unapologetic Midwestern woman determined to climb early 20th-century New York society’s rigid social ladder. Undine Spragg uses beauty, cunning, and relentless self-promotion to challenge an entrenched elite guarding their exclusive circles.
The character embodies Wharton‘s biting critique of Gilded Age ambition and materialism. Sweeney‘s interpretation promises to modernize this timeless character for contemporary audiences while honoring the novel’s sharp satirical edge.
Production Details and Creative Team
| Detail | Information |
| Release Date | TBA |
| Director | Josie Rourke |
| Financing | Studiocanal (full budget) |
| Producing Companies | Studiocanal, Rabbit’s Foot Films |
Josie Rourke, director of Mary Queen of Scots, helms the adaptation and penned the screenplay based on Edith Wharton‘s 1913 masterpiece. Nina Gold, renowned casting director, continues assembling the ensemble cast around Sweeney. Studiocanal fully finances the project and plans theatrical releases across multiple territories including the UK, France, Germany, and Australia.
“Leo Woodall is set to co-star opposite Sydney Sweeney in a movie adaptation of Edith Wharton‘s classic novel Custom of the Country for Studiocanal and Charles Finch’s Rabbit’s Foot Films.”
— Deadline Hollywood, Entertainment News
Leo Woodall’s Stellar Recent Projects and Rising Star Status
Woodall recently completed work on Vladimir, a Netflix limited series starring Rachel Weisz that debuted March 6, 2026. He also leads Black Bear Pictures’ thriller Tuner alongside Dustin Hoffman and Havana Rose Liu, launching this spring.
His filmography demonstrates an actor capable of commanding prestige projects and complex male leads. Three years of consistent career growth have positioned Woodall as one of entertainment’s most bankable talents. His collaboration with Sweeney on Custom of the Country elevates both performers to new dramatic heights.
Will This Adaptation Finally Capture Wharton’s Satirical Masterpiece for Film?
Edith Wharton’s novel has never received a major theatrical adaptation, despite its status as a literary classic. The story explores how Undine navigates New York, Paris, and European aristocratic circles through ruthlessness and manipulation. Her journey challenges gender roles, class structures, and societal expectations with remarkable nuance.
Rourke‘s screenplay adaptation must balance Wharton’s philosophical depth with visual storytelling that engages modern audiences. The period setting, intricate social politics, and character-driven narrative demand exceptional acting and directorial vision. Will Sweeney and Woodall deliver the transformative performances this material requires?
Sources
- Deadline Hollywood – Exclusive casting announcement of Leo Woodall in Custom of the Country
- Studiocanal – Official production and financing details for the film adaptation
- Variety – Sydney Sweeney to star and produce Custom of the Country adaptation