AceShowbiz - The Custom of the Country, the upcoming film adaptation of Edith Wharton's 1913 novel, is currently in production and has assembled an impressive cast with actors from acclaimed series such as Game of Thrones, The Wire, and Hannibal. Leading the cast is Sydney Sweeney, who stars as Undine Spragg, a "new money" Midwestern woman determined to secure an "old money" husband in New York City.

Joining Sydney Sweeney and previously announced co-star Leo Woodall are a host of notable performers including Josh Finan (How to Get to Heaven From Belfast), Louis Garrel (The Dreamers), Matthew Goode (The Crown), Rose Leslie (Game of Thrones), Martha Plimpton (The Regime), Irene Jacob (The Affair), Hugh Dancy (Law & Order), Ian Hart (Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone), James McArdle (Andor), Rosie Sheehy (Pillion), Louisa Harland (Hamnet), Ronk? Adék?lu??j?? (Doctor Who), Dominic West (The Wire), and Miranda Richardson (Good Omens).

The film is written and directed by Josie Rourke, known for her acclaimed stage work and her 2018 feature film Mary Queen of Scots. This marks her second big-screen project. The production is handled by Studiocanal and Rabbit's Foot Films, with producing credits including Sydney Sweeney, Charles Finch, and Alison Owen.

The story centers on Undine Spragg's ambitious social climb during the Gilded Age, exploring themes of wealth, class conflict, and the pursuit of status. These themes are deeply rooted in the social fabric of Wharton's work, which remains strikingly relevant over a century after the novel’s original publication.

Edith Wharton's influence on contemporary adaptations continues to expand. Besides The Custom of the Country, her final unfinished novel, The Buccaneers, has been adapted into a series on AppleTV, which recently began production on its third season with Paul Wesley from Star Trek: Strange New Worlds joining the cast.

Additionally, Wharton’s most famous novel, The Age of Innocence, which was previously adapted into a film by Martin Scorsese in 1993, is being reimagined as a Netflix miniseries. The new adaptation stars Kristine Froseth (also featured in The Buccaneers), Ben Radcliffe, Camila Morrone, and Margo Martindale.

While not a direct adaptation, HBO’s The Gilded Age draws inspiration from Wharton’s themes and style. The series is currently in production for its fourth season, further cementing the lasting impact of Wharton’s storytelling on modern television and cinema.

Production on The Custom of the Country is actively underway, though no official release date has been announced yet. Fans of period dramas and literary adaptations can anticipate a richly detailed portrayal of the Gilded Age, brought to life by a talented ensemble cast and led by Sydney Sweeney.

Stay tuned for further updates and announcements about this promising film adaptation from Collider.