#Vladimir, a new eight-episode limited series on Netflix is based on playwright Julia May Jonas’ 2022 novel of the same name. Both the novel and the series center on a literature professor (Rachel Weisz) who teaches at a liberal arts college. Her husband (John Slattery) is under investigation for misconduct at the school as she becomes infatuated with a new colleague named Vladimir (leowoodall). Jonas wrote the pilot several years ago without a particular actor in mind for the lead character, who narrates the novel as if she were delivering an ongoing monologue. Weisz had read the book — it was recommended to her by a friend — before she was sent the script. “It was a damn good piece of writing, the novel and the pilot,” she says. It led to a meeting with Jonas. “Ultimately, I think I was really intrigued about getting into the skin of this character,” Weisz adds. “I thought it would be challenging and hopefully fun.” Weisz talked to The Times about the show, getting into character a...