It’s no secret that audiences want to be seduced by their screens every now and again.

With globe-trotting franchises such as the Fifty Shades films or intimate historical reboots of Lady Chatterley’s Lover, the ‘sexy’ film has become a genre in itself. So it’s no surprise that Netflix is taking on an adaptation of a novella known for its exploration of the dangers of lust and the morals behind desire. 

Here’s what you need to know, then, about Obsession.

What’s Obsession about?

When the enigmatic Anna Barton embarks on a passionate affair with her fiancé’s father, William, who finds himself drawn into an obsessive spiral. But how long can they keep their secret hidden before someone gets hurt?

Well, considering the synopsis promises “devastating consequences for the whole family”, we imagine not long at all.

Watch the trailer for Obsession below:

What happens in Damage, the book upon which Obsession is based?

Josephine Hart’s novella Damage follows the story told from what we assume to be William’s point of view. The narrator has recently been promoted into the cabinet, where he is introduced to his son’s girlfriend, Anna. He instantly falls for her and the two begin a scandalous and secret affair.

Safe to say, it doesn’t end well.

The book itself was a success, becoming an instant classic in the genre of erotic obsession and an unflinching look at the consequences that come with such actions.

Who stars in Obsession?

The series is set to star Richard Armitage (The Hobbit, Stay Close, The Stranger) as Anna’s tantalising romantic interest, William. Peaky Blinders’ Charlie Murphy will be taking on the role of Anna, with Rish Shah (Strangers, Ms Marvel) as her fiancé, Jay. They will also be joined by Indira Varma (This Way Up, The Capture) and Pippa Bennett-Warner.

Armitage previously starred in another hit Netflix thriller, The Stranger, which captured the attention of audiences everywhere with its enticingly mysterious plot and break-neck pace. He is also currently filming another novel adaptation, The Boy In The Woods, based on the 2022 Maxwell Smart book. 

Who works behind the scenes on Obsession?

The script for Obsession has been penned by Morgan Lloyd-Malcolm and Benji Walters (Noughts And Crosses) alongside directors Glenn Leyburn and Lisa Barros D’Sa. The series will be produced by Gina Carter, who previously worked on See How They Run and 24 Hour Party People.

It’s not the first time that Hart’s sensual novel has been adapted for the big screen. It was given the film treatment in 1992, in a feature that starred Jeremy Irons, Juliette Binoche and Miranda Richardson. It was also a major instalment in the awards season that followed, with Richardson winning the Bafta for best supporting actress and nominated in both Oscar and Golden Globe categories. 

Though the events of the book take place in the 1990s, it seems that the new adaptation will be a more contemporary take on the story of passionate duplicity.

What are people saying about Obsession?

When the feminist playwright Morgan Lloyd Malcolm first pitched for the job of adapting Damage, she laid out some big ambitions for the drama.

“I loved the book, which is an amazing page-turning, erotic thriller, but it was written entirely from a man’s point of view. Anna, his lover, is portrayed as a kind of vamp who comes into the family, blows everything up and then disappears. Her primary function is to serve the purpose of what the male lead needs.

“I said, ‘If I’m going to do this, I want to make sure I dig into Anna and why she behaves in the way she does.’ I wanted to try and understand the characters in the story – and especially Anna – in a way that wasn’t just two-dimensional.”

The sex scenes, she says, were scripted with an unashamedly female gaze and early conversations with the intimacy coordinator, Adelaide Waldrop, confirmed they were in total agreement about how the sex Morgan had written should be transferred on screen.

“It was about portraying the sex in a way that makes us realise the connection and the obsession without becoming voyeuristic. We wanted an equality in terms of who we’re looking at, too, and who’s having to expose themselves. It isn’t about women baring themselves and men keeping their clothes on. In fact, during this couple’s first sexual encounter the reverse is true. But, often in the past, there’s been a real imbalance here.”

When and where can we watch Obsession?

The new Netflix series will take place over four episodes and is due to become available for streaming from 13 April. Be sure to check back here for more updates.

Images: Netflix; Getty