A fresh literary adaptation is taking shape — and it just added a rising British star to its cast. Leo Woodall is set to co-star opposite Sydney Sweeney in a new film adaptation of The Custom of the Country.
The project, backed by Studiocanal and Charles Finch’s Rabbit’s Foot Films, will be directed by Josie Rourke, who has also adapted the screenplay from Edith Wharton’s 1913 novel.
A Gilded Age Power Play
At the heart of the story is Undine Spragg, played by Sweeney — a fiercely ambitious young woman from the Midwest determined to conquer high society in turn-of-the-century New York.
Undine isn’t a passive heroine. She’s strategic, bold, and unapologetically hungry for status. Armed with charm and relentless ambition, she maneuvers through elite social circles, courting controversy and reshaping her destiny in pursuit of love and fortune.
The novel has long been regarded as one of Wharton’s sharpest critiques of social climbing and Gilded Age hypocrisy. Translating that layered satire to the big screen — especially with modern audiences in mind — is no small task.
Studiocanal Backs the Vision
The film will be fully financed by Studiocanal, which plans to release it theatrically across its territories including the UK, France, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Poland, and the Benelux region. International sales will launch at the European Film Market in Berlin.
Sweeney will also serve as a producer alongside Charles Finch and Monumental Pictures’ team, signaling her continued move toward creative control behind the camera.
Casting director Nina Gold is currently assembling the rest of the ensemble, suggesting more big names could soon join the period drama.
Leo Woodall’s Rising Momentum
For Woodall, this role continues a strong upward trajectory. He gained widespread attention in season two of The White Lotus, and further visibility with Bridget Jones: Mad About A Boy. Most recently, he earned praise for his supporting turn in Nuremberg, sharing screen space with heavyweights like Russell Crowe and Rami Malek.
Up next, Woodall stars opposite Rachel Weisz in Netflix’s limited series Vladimir and leads the Black Bear Pictures film Tuner alongside Dustin Hoffman.
Pairing him with Sydney Sweeney — one of Hollywood’s most in-demand young stars — positions The Custom of the Country as a prestige project with crossover appeal.
Why This Adaptation Feels Timely
Edith Wharton’s exploration of ambition, social mobility, and the price of status still resonates today. In an era obsessed with image, wealth, and influence, Undine Spragg feels surprisingly modern.
With Sweeney’s magnetic screen presence and Woodall’s growing dramatic credibility, the adaptation could balance classic literature with contemporary energy.
Final Words
The Custom of the Country isn’t just another period piece — it’s a story about ambition, reinvention, and the cost of climbing too high.
With Sydney Sweeney leading the charge and Leo Woodall stepping in as her co-star, this literary classic may be ready for a bold new life on screen.
