Lesley Manville’s “spectacular” period drama with Aidan Turner gets first-look photos

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The period drama Les Liaisons Dangereuses, featuring Lesley Manville and Aidan Turner, has shared its first images after debuting in London’s West End last month.

This production at the National Theatre’s Lyttelton Theatre is based on Pierre Choderlos de Laclos’s classic 1782 novel, a story that has inspired many well-known adaptations.

The film centers on Marquise de Merteuil (Manville), a woman skilled at navigating a harsh world, who expertly uses her power and control. She and the charming Vicomte de Valmont (Turner) treat seduction as a game, using desire to manipulate and control others.

However, when their partnership breaks down and they become enemies, the resulting conflict puts everyone around them in danger, according to a description of the show, which runs until June 6th (via National Theatre).

After the show premiered on March 21st, we’re now getting a first look at production photos. These images feature Manville and Turner in costume, and the outfits are quite elaborate.

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So, I’ve been checking out the buzz about this new take on the old story, and honestly, it seems like most people are really digging it! Time Out specifically gave a shout-out to the actors – they were apparently fantastic – and said the director, Marianne Elliott, did an amazing job. It sounds pretty spectacular, and I’m definitely getting curious!

The writers praised Manville as an exceptionally talented actor, truly one of the best ever, and also complimented Turner’s performance. They felt that Manville and Turner were the clear stars of the show, set in a glamorous and slightly unsettling atmosphere, and deservedly so.

I was absolutely blown away by this production! Lesley Manville is just incredible – she’s both commanding and playfully flirty. And Aidan Turner? He plays this wonderfully wry, almost gloomy character that’s so captivating. Honestly, the Evening Standard nailed it when they said Manville alone makes the whole thing worth seeing – I totally agree!

Hey everyone, if you can’t make it to the theatre to see this, don’t worry! They’re going to show it in cinemas after the theatre run is over. It starts on June 25th, and I already saw Cineworld and Odeon are letting you book tickets now, so get ’em while you can!

Christopher Hampton wrote the play, which first appeared in London’s West End in 1985 before transferring to Broadway in 1987. In 1988, director Stephen Frears adapted it into the film Dangerous Liaisons.

The 1999 movie Cruel Intentions, featuring Sarah Michelle Gellar and Reese Witherspoon, moved the story’s location to contemporary New York City. A remake as a TV series on Starz, also with Manville in the cast, aired in 2022 but was later cancelled.

The National Theatre will be showing Les Liaisons Dangereuses until June 6th. A filmed version of the performance will then be shown in cinemas starting June 25th.

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2026-04-03 15:19