Alicia Vikander Starring in HBO Limited Series

HBO has greenlit Irma Vep, a crime thriller limited series starring and executive produced by Oscar winner Alicia Vikander.

Written and directed by Olivier Assayas and loosely based on his 1996 feature film of the same name, Irma Vep will center on American movie star Mira (Vikander), who is disillusioned by her career and a recent breakup. Arriving in France to star as Irma Vep in a remake of the French silent film classic Les Vampires, Mira struggles as the distinctions between herself and the character she plays begin to blur and merge.

Irma Vep will debut on HBO and be available to stream on HBO Max. A24 is producing the limited series along with Kevin Turen and Sam Levinson. It is executive produced by Assayas, Vikander, Sylvie Barthet, Sam Levinson, Ashley Levinson, Kevin Turen through Little Lamb and Stuart Manashil.

Francesca Orsi, executive VP of HBO Programming, said: “When the opportunity arose to partner with Alicia and Olivier we jumped at the chance. Olivier is a master at weaving unique narratives imbued with levity and drama and Alicia is one of the most versatile, celebrated actors of our time. They have an undeniable, distinct vision for the reimagining of Olivier’s cult classic film, and we can’t wait to tell it with them.”

Vikander said: “I have been a long-time admirer of Olivier and his work. I am very excited for us to work together, and to be a part of the expanded universe of his superb cult classic, Irma Vep. There are a lot of brilliant people coming together and I am delighted to be partnering with HBO and A24 on this special project.”

Assayas added: “I am immensely grateful to Alicia, A24 and HBO for giving me the incredible opportunity to explore and expand Irma Vep in a series format. This is a comedy that will try and catch the zeitgeist the same way the original Irma Vep did, in a very different world, a very different era, that right now feels light-years away.”