Sydney Sweeney to play a high-society bride hunter.

Sydney Sweeney to Lead Film Adaptation of Edith Wharton's Classic Novel 'The Custom of the Country'

Studiocanal and Rabbit's Foot Films have officially greenlit a film adaptation of Edith Wharton's celebrated novel, 'The Custom of the Country'. Sydney Sweeney, the breakout star of 'The Handmaid', is set to play the lead role of Undine Spragg, an ambitious and ruthless social climber who has long symbolized defiance and the dismantling of high-society conventions.

This project marks a significant step for the actress towards major literary adaptations and complex dramatic roles.

A Classic of American Literature Hits the Big Screen

Published in 1913, 'The Custom of the Country' is considered one of Edith Wharton's seminal works. The novel delves into the morals of the early 20th-century American elite, exploring social ambition, marriage as a tool for status, and the clash between old money and the aggressive new energy from the provinces.

The protagonist, Undine Spragg, is a young woman from the Midwest who will stop at nothing to break into the high society of New York and eventually Europe. Her journey, marked by a series of marriages, scandals, and social maneuvers, reflects an era of rapid economic and cultural change.

The Vision of Director Josie Rourke

Josie Rourke, who previously directed the historical drama 'Mary Queen of Scots', will helm the project and pen the screenplay. In a statement, Rourke emphasized the significance of the novel's central character.

Rourke described Undine Spragg as one of literature's first truly "dangerous" women—a heroine who defies society's moral expectations and acts solely in her own interests. The director noted the novel's striking relevance, stating that Undine's character feels remarkably contemporary even over a century after the book was written.

While working on the script, Rourke envisioned Sydney Sweeney for the lead role, believing the actress perfectly suited to embody this complex and contradictory character.

Plot: Ambition, Scandal, and the Fight for Status

The story centers on an incredibly determined young woman, armed with beauty, audacity, and an unshakeable belief in her own rightness. Undine challenges the insular world of New York's elite, which shuns outsiders, and fearlessly navigates a whirlwind of social intrigue, marriages of convenience, and public conflicts.

The narrative spans America and Europe, underscoring the scale of her aspirations and the destructive impact she has on the world around her.

A New Chapter for Sydney Sweeney's Career

'The Custom of the Country' represents a logical progression in Sydney Sweeney's remarkably successful career trajectory. In 2026, the thriller 'The Handmaid', featuring Sweeney, crossed the $200 million mark in global box office revenue, and a sequel is already in development.

Furthermore, the actress earned critical acclaim for her portrayal of boxer Christy Martin in the biographical drama 'Christy', showcasing her capacity for deep dramatic transformation.

Now, Sweeney is set to take on one of world literature's most complex and controversial female characters—a heroine who simultaneously attracts, irritates, and destroys everything she touches.

Production Details

Filming for 'The Custom of the Country' is scheduled to begin shortly. While an official release date has not been announced, anticipation for the project is already high, given the status of the source material, the director's reputation, and Sydney Sweeney's rapidly rising star power.