BBC Fleabag and Sherlock star Andrew Scott is fronting a new drama called Ripley and here's what you need to know.

The Irish actor leads the new limited series on Netflix which includes big stars names like the 'Twilight' actress Dakota Fanning and star of 'Emma' Johnny Flynn.

This is your guide on everything you need to know about the new show from its cast, how many episodes it has, its other adaptations and whether it is based on a true story.

When does Ripley come out on Netflix?

Ripley will drop on Netflix on Thursday, April 4 with all episodes becoming available on the day.

How many episodes are in Ripley?

There are eight episodes in Netflix's new limited drama.

Why is Ripley in black and white?

All eight episodes had Robert Elswit as the cinematographer.

It was decided in the early stages of post-production that Ripley was going to be shown in black-and-white.

The series' director Steven Zaillian explained why in an interview with Vanity Fair: "The edition of the Ripley book I had on my desk had an evocative black-and-white photograph on the cover. As I was writing,

"I held that image in my mind. Black and white fits this story—and it's gorgeous."

Is Ripley based on a true story?

Ripley is not based on a true story but on the book by Patricia Highsmith 'The Talented Mr Ripley'.

The 1955 psychological thriller was the first of five books with the crafty Tom Ripley returning for four novels afterwards.

Although Ripley is a fictional character, the American author did attribute the inspiration behind him to a man she encountered whilst she was in Positano in 1952.

Speaking in the 1989 article with Granta Magazine, she recollected that she had "noticed a solitary young man in shorts and sandals with a towel flung over his shoulder, making his way along the beach from right to left".

She added: He was looking downward... I could just see that his hair was straight and darkish." 

The image obviously stayed with her but, Patricia revealed: "It was only "years later [when] journalists asked me, 'Where did you get the idea of Ripley from?' and as I racked my mind to answer, to recall exactly where [that] the solitary figure on the beach returned to me, and I described his appearance – as I had seen it from two hundred metres or more."

Malvern Gazette: Ripley is released on Netflix on April 4 2024.Ripley is released on Netflix on April 4 2024. (Image: Netflix)

Where does the series Ripley take place?

The new Netflix adaption is set in the early ’60s in New York.

The story follows Tom Ripley who is hired by a wealthy industrialist to travel to Italy and find his son, Dickie Greenleaf, and convince him to return home.

After deciding to take the job, Ripley's life spirals out of control.

Over eight episodes, viewers can expect plenty of tension, fraud and murder to keep them on the edge of their seats.

Ripley cast list

"He's a liar. It's his profession," Netflix said as the streamer re-introduced the world to Tom Ripley, played by All About Us Strangers actor Andrew Scott.

Scott is accompanied by a star-studded cast with Johnny Flynn as Dickie Greenleaf, and Dakota Fanning as Marge Sherwood who is Dickie’s girlfriend.

The series also features other cast members like John Malkovich, Eliot Sumner, Maurizio Lombardi and more.

Recommended reading

Are there other versions of The Talented Mr Ripley?

Since Patricia Highsmith's original novel, the story has been adapted numerous times for the silver screen.

In 1960, Alain Delon played Ripley in Purple Noon in his first major role.

However, perhaps the most famous version was The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999) which starred Matt Damon, Gwenyth Paltrow, Jude Law, Cate Blanchett and Phillip Seymour Hoffman.

Ripley is released on Netflix on April 4, 2024.