Since its release on October 26, 2025, the IT prequel series IT: Welcome to Derry has been dominating the HBO Max streaming charts. After all, with a story that tells the origin of one of horror’s most spine-chilling characters, viewers were at the edge of their seats to press play. But while the show has certainly gripped viewers this past month, a new HBO Max series might be coming for its crown. On November 14, 2025, the new series The Seduction premiered, and it’s enticing storyline plus impressive cast might certainly seduce viewers. Currently, the series sits at #3 on HBO Max’s streaming charts worldwide, a position it might quickly surpass.
What Is ‘The Seduction’ About?
Inspired by the classic 18th-century novel Les Liaisons Dangereuses, a.k.a. Dangerous Liaisons, by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos, The Seduction is all about sex, power and revenge. The series starts off with main character Isabelle (Anamaria Vartolomei), an orphaned woman with no family or title, as she’s seduced and tricked into a sham marriage by the Vicomte de Valmont (Vincent Lacoste). While still reeling from the betrayal, Isabelle confronts Valmont’s aunt, Madame de Rosemonde (Diane Kruger), and the two agree to an unusual deal. Rosemonde will welcome Isabelle into her home and mentor her to become one of Paris’ most sought-after courtesans, and, in exchange, Rosemonde will use her as a pawn.
Under Rosemonde’s guidance in Paris, Isabelle learns the rules of Parisian high society, including the fundamentals of seduction. That’s when Isabelle’s first mission comes to light: for an unknown reason, she’s tasked with seducing Valmont’s rival, the alluring yet cruel Comte de Gercourt (Lucas Bravo). But once Isabelle’s rejection of the Comte hits a sore spot, he becomes determined to take her down. With no other option, Isabelle then marries a much-older nobleman (Jean-Pierre Lorit) and earns the esteemed new title of Marquise de Merteuil. Now, she has the power and influence of exacting her own revenge too.
Also starring in The Seduction are Noée Abita as the devoutly religious Madame de Tourvel, Julien de Saint-Jean as the handsome and naive Louis de Germain, and Fantine Harduin as the innocent Cécile de Volanges. The six-episode first season, which has released only two episodes so far, is directed by Jessica Palud and created by Jean-Baptiste Delafon.
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‘The Seduction’ Might Be Exactly What HBO Viewers Are Looking For
While The Seduction hasn’t been out for long, it’s no wonder that the series has quickly risen through the streaming ranks. After all, not only is Dangerous Liaisons a hint for all the steamy and twisty storylines in the show, but the series is also filled with familiar faces. While Kruger is a Hollywood powerhouse, who unsurprisingly steals every scene she’s in on the show, Vartolomei recently starred in Mickey 17, and Bravo has been garnering fans for years in his role as Gabriel in Emily in Paris. With the trio alone, viewers would already be tuning in.
For HBO Max subscribers specifically, the series is debuting at the perfect time. After all, not only is the series the antithesis to the horror and gore featured in IT: Welcome to Derry, but the streaming platform is currently on a break from its most beloved period series, The Gilded Age. The series, which first premiered in 2022, aired its third season in the summer of 2025. And while fans certainly rejoiced in July when the series was renewed for Season 4, the next chapter is still a long way away. Now, The Gilded Age fans have another period piece to fill the gap.
With that said, while It: Welcome to Derry has been HBO Max’s streaming hit for the past month, the brand-new series The Seduction is giving the prequel some competition. With a stacked cast, and a wickedly erotic story about sex and revenge, the series has all the ingredients to become another streaming hit, especially with The Gilded Age on a break.
Release Date
November 14, 2025
Network
HBO Max
Directors
Jessica Palud
Writers
Jean-Baptiste Delafon, Choderlos de Laclos, Gaëlle Bellan, Jessica Palud
Anamaria Vartolomei
Merteuil
