Is Netflix's Ripley Series a True Story? Inspiration Explained

Ripley Netflix true story: Andrew Scott as Tom Ripley in Ripley
Credit: Showtime Studios | Endemol | Shine North America Entertainment | 360 FILMRIGHTS | Diogenes


Ripley Netflix true story: Andrew Scott as Tom Ripley in Ripley
Credit: Showtime Studios | Endemol | Shine North America Entertainment | 360 FILMRIGHTS | Diogenes

To this day, Matt Damon's The Talented Mr. Ripley movie continues to be highly praised and referenced by film critics. Its success paved the way for a limited series on Netflix. But is Ripley on Netflix based on a true story? Here's what we know.

What is Ripley About?

Ripley Netflix true story: Andrew Scott as Tom Ripley in Ripley
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Credit: Showtime Studios | Endemol | Shine North America Entertainment | 360 FILMRIGHTS | Diogenes

In 1999, a movie, entitled The Talented Mr. Ripley, was released on the big screen. The movie starred Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Jude Law. When it came out, the movie was awarded five Academy Award nominations.

And now, 25 years later, Netflix is releasing its limited series on the same character. This time around, however, the titular character will be portrayed by Andrew Scott.

In this limited series, Scott plays Tom Ripley, who is a grifter scraping by. Like its source material, Ripley is set in New York during the early 60s.

But for the limited series, Ripley's roots as a con artist are explored. He then meets the wealthy industrialist who asks him to convince his son to return home from Italy.

The show follows Ripley's foray into a life of deceit, fraud, and even murder.

You can watch the trailer here:

Is Ripley on Netflix, a True Story?

Ripley Netflix true story: Andrew Scott as Tom Ripley in Ripley
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Credit: Showtime Studios | Endemol | Shine North America Entertainment | 360 FILMRIGHTS | Diogenes

If you're unfamiliar with The Talented Mr. Ripley, you might be wondering if Ripley on Netflix is a true story. The answer, however, is no. Instead, the limited series is based on the bestselling novels written by Patricia Highsmith.

Highsmith has written a total of five psychological thrillers, which all follow the adventures of a con man named Tom Ripley. In each of these books, Ripley gets real close to getting killed or caught.

Netflix's Ripley series will be based on Highsmith's first book entitled The Talented Mr. Ripley.

Hopefully, the Netflix adaptation will become a hit so that more of Highsmith's novels will get adapted into another season.

Ripley will be coming out on Netflix on April 4, 2024, with all eight episodes coming out on the same day. If you were a fan of Matt Damon's The Talented Mr. Ripley, you'll love Scott's portrayal of the titular character too.

Were you able to watch the first movie in the past? Let us know in a comment below.

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