Entertainment

Sydney Sweeney to Star in Edith Wharton Adaptation ‘Custom of the Country’ as ‘Original Dangerous Woman’

January 21, 2026

Jan 21, 2026 12:45pm PT Sydney Sweeney to Star in Edith Wharton Adaptation ‘Custom of the Country’ as ‘Original Dangerous Woman’ By Rebecca Rubin Plus Icon Rebecca Rubin Senior Film and Media Reporter rebeccaarubin Latest Box Office: Chris Pratt’s ‘Mercy’ Targets $12 Million Debut, Aims to Dethrone ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ in Sixth Weekend 4 hours ago Netflix Lands Martin Short Documentary ‘Marty, Life Is Short,’ Sets May Release Date 1 day ago ‘Marty Supreme’ Surpasses $100 Million Globally, Fourth A24 Film to Hit Box Office Milestone 2 days ago See All Gilbert Flores/Variety Sydney Sweeney will star in and produce a film adaptation of “Custom of the Country.” Josie Rourke (“Mary Queen of Scots”) is directing and writing the adaptation of the classic Edith Wharton novel. Sweeney plays Undine Spragg, an ambitious Midwest woman who attempts to ascend the social ladder in the turn of the century New York. As described in the official press release, Undine Spragg, “armed with beauty, daring/hustle and sheer force of will and unwavering ambition, battles an entrenched elite, fearlessly courting controversy, until love and fortune align.” Related Stories Cineverse Launches 'Return to Silent Hill' Alternate Reality Game Ahead of Film's Release (EXCLUSIVE) Casting director Nina Gold is in the process of building the ensemble around Sweeney, according to a press release.

Sydney Sweeney at 's 2025 Power of Women Los Angeles, Presented by Lifetime at the Beverly Hills Hotel on October 29, 2025 in Beverly Hills, California

Credit: Variety

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Principal photography is expected to begin imminently.
Popular on Variety Rourke describes Undine Spragg as the “original dangerous woman” and feels the casting of Sweeney is kismet, adding that it’s as if “Wharton sat down a century ago and wrote the role for her.” “Edith Wharton’s character has forever fascinated, seduced and infuriated readers.
‘The Custom of the Country’ was Wharton’s great American novel and Undine Spragg sweeps across America and through Europe at top speed, during a time of immense economic and social change,” Rourke said in a statement.
“The book whistles with modernity and as I was writing this adaptation, Sydney Sweeney lived in my head as this iconic character — it’s as if Wharton sat down a century ago and wrote the role for her.” Filmmaker Sofia Coppola had planned in 2020 to turn Wharton’s novel into a miniseries starring Florence Pugh, but the project, set at Apple, never came to fruition.
Charles Finch, Sweeney, Alison Owen of Monumental Pictures and StudioCanal will produce.

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Sydney Sweeney to Star in Edith Wharton Adaptation ‘Custom of the Country’ as ‘Original Dangerous Woman’

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Sydney Sweeney to Star in Edith Wharton Adaptation ‘Custom of the Country’ as ‘Original Dangerous Woman’

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