The Seduction
Original title: Merteuil (French)
Genre: Period drama
Created by: Jean-Baptiste Delafon
Based on: Les Liaisons dangereuses by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos
Director: Jessica Palud
Stars: Anamaria Vartolomei (Isabelle de Merteuil (née Dassonville), Diane Kruger (Madame de Rosemonde), Vincent Lacoste (Vicomte de Valmont), Lucas Bravo (Comte de Gercourt), Noée Abita (Madame de Tourvel), Julien de Saint Jean (Louis de Germain), Fantine Harduin (Cécile de Volanges), Samuel Kircher (Chevalier Danceny), Sandrine Blancke (Madame de Volanges)
Premise: The series is both a prequel and a loose adaptation of the plot of the novel, and follows Isabelle de Merteuil (Vartolomei) as she is trying to get revenge on the Vicomte de Valmont (Lacoste) after he betrayed her.
The day after her marriage, Isabelle Dassonville discovers that the ceremony was fake and that her husband was in reality the Vicomte de Valmont who was manipulating her. Condemned to take a vow of silence in a convent, her only way to escape is to follow Valmont’s aunt, Madame de Rosemonde, who wants to use her to seduce the Comte de Gercourt in Paris for her own mysterious motives. But when Rosemonde’s plan fail, Isabelle decides to marry the Comte de Merteuil in order to become a Marquise and gain power to help her to get revenge on Valmont.
The series is available for streaming on platforms including HBO Max/Max, Apple TV, and Prime Video.
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Season 1 – Episode 1
Episode title: Isabelle
Original release date: November 14, 2025
Episode plot: The episode opens with Isabelle Dassonville’s shock discovery that her marriage to the ruthless Vicomte de Valmont was a sham, leaving her ruined and condemned to a convent. Desperate for escape, she is rescued by Valmont’s manipulative aunt, Madame de Rosemonde, who forces her into a plot to seduce the Comte de Gercourt in Paris. When Rosemonde’s scheme collapses, Isabelle seizes control of her fate. Shunning victimhood, she marries the Comte de Merteuil, transforming herself into the powerful, title-holding Marquise to launch a calculated campaign of dominance and exact her ultimate revenge on Valmont.
The Seduction – S01E01 – Isabelle | Transcript
[Isabelle] I was born in a forgotten province very far from here. I had no money, no name, no family. I had only one freedom. To marry the man I loved. And this was everything to me. But it was taken from me.
ONE YEAR EARLIER
[scrubbing]
[novices laughing]
[Lavender] Isabelle.
He’s here.
[upbeat instrumental music playing]
You burn for me.
I can’t live without you.
No, Monsieur. Words are beautiful, but insufficient.
[Valmont] Isabelle, I write to you as we throw ourselves into the void, to prove to you one last time how far my love goes. You opened your heart to me. I offer you mine, and I will risk everything to fulfill my destiny and get you out of this workhouse to return your freedom, your life. I met you in a place made to extinguish souls, yet you were burning.
[priest] The body of Christ.
The body of Christ.
[Valmont] In your eyes, I saw a miracle. That of two beings promised to each other, whose passion must never be extinguished. And so, since words are insufficient, I come with a wish. Marry me.
Marry me. [gasps]
[novices laughing]
My life is yours.
My life is yours.
Lucien Beaucaillou.
Lucien Beaucaillou.
[sighs]
[Valmont] You’ll flee tomorrow.
[dramatic music playing]
I have found a priest who has agreed to marry us. I know you are without family. My aunt will be your witness. My best friend will be mine. You and I, forever.
[priest] Isabelle Dassonville.
Lucien Beaucaillou.
Before God and these witnesses, I join you in holy matrimony.
For better or for worse.
MARRIAGE CONTRACT
[panting]
My love.
[heavy breathing]
[“Iron” by Woodkid playing]
[birds chirping]
[tense music playing]
[Rosemonde] Show her in.
I was waiting for you.
Hello, Mademoiselle. Where is my husband?
Monsieur Beaucaillou? Come, Mademoiselle. There never was a Monsieur Beaucaillou.
Your marriage was just a stage play.
A ruse so my nephew simply could savor your charms.
You’re lying.
The man you spent the evening with is named Valmont.
He’s a Vicomte.
He’ll never be your husband nor will you ever see him again.
[Reverend Mother] I can’t keep you in this workhouse, Isabelle.
I can’t abandon you either.
You’d soon be found with your throat slit in a brothel in Saint-Malo.
Only a life of silence and prayer can redeem your soul.
We have arranged for you to go to the Convent of the Black Cross.
No. No. No. No, pity me!
[screaming]
No!
[dramatic orchestral music playing]
[footsteps approaching]
[Jacques] Madame.
Shall we return to Paris for the Count de Gercourt’s party?
Have I received an invitation?
It would seem I’m no longer invited.
[Jacques] Right, Madame.
What’s going on here?
I need money.
I want you out of my home now.
You’ve driven me to this place, Madame.
You and your nephew.
Jacques, throw her out.
I’m not leaving.
Now I have nothing.
They want to take me away to a convent.
And would it be so awful to go there?
I want to live.
I wasn’t made for saying Mass till I’m on my deathbed in a cell.
It’s all right, Jacques.
You’re right. It would be a shame to lock up such youth and beauty when one could easily use them to their advantage.
I might have a proposal to offer.
What do I have to do?
Madame.
What do I have to do, Madame?
First, I need you to capture the attention of a man.
Who though?
Valmont?
[scoffs] Forget Valmont.
It’s too early to be sure, though.
First, we have to find out whether you’re capable.
You will come with me to Paris.
Observe me, listen to me, and of course, you will obey me, without ever thinking and without question.
[dramatic orchestral music with vocalization playing]
[Prince Zaferano] My dearest, I have spent delicious moments with you. But the inevitable has arrived. I have grown tired of you. And since there is no good way to say it, forgive my frankness. I am leaving you. I can no longer pay your expenses. Accept this necklace as a souvenir of the pleasure we have shared. Your devoted prince, Zaferando.
Paris awaits us.
[fast-paced orchestral music plays]
[employee] Do you think men will fight for her in that?
No.
[people chattering in background]
You’re marrying me off?
No, don’t be ridiculous.
Why buy all of this, then?
I told you, Mademoiselle, Obey without question.
Nor should you grin so stupidly.
Only harlots go around like that.
Seducing is nothing, but you must learn to be in control of men.
May I, Mademoiselle?
[softly] His face seems familiar.
He was in the military.
It’s for the mademoiselle.
[Rosemonde] Very rich. Widowed.
Right away.
From the Marquis.
“This dress is made for you.”
And if you accept this gift I offer, my reward is that I might today pay homage to your beauty.
“Marquis de Merteuil.”
Do you see, Mademoiselle?
We don’t have to sell off our charms to be offered anything.
Could you help me with this?
This one.
Of course.
That suits you.
[heavy breathing]
[Rosemonde] Delicious.
Yes.
Sit down.
Sit down there.
[panting]
[soft orchestral music plays]
Did you have a good night?
I saw you having fun with your…
My two Vikings.
Are you libertine?
You know that word?
Do you feel as though you’re adept at pleasure, Mademoiselle?
Well, are you?
Tomorrow, I will take you to see Gercourt.
Gercourt is the prince of libertines.
The protector of our games.
He’s the one you’ll have to seduce.
Valmont will be attending?
Why do you ask?
[gasps]
Might I have miscalculated?
No, Madame.
You will have to learn to go forward without ever looking at what’s behind.
The past is nothing more than a cadaver, putrid, which you should never face directly.
Hold neither shame nor resentment.
Nor tenderness.
[exhales] Valmont can’t bear Gercourt.
He won’t come.
Listen to me, Mademoiselle.
To disappoint me… is to betray me.
[winces]
Louis de Germain.
Is there anything amiss, Monsieur?
You smell like a woman. It’s just…
Why not like a man?
Last night?
Yeah.
Monsieur Vicomte was a bit fatigued.
He is a man of high reputation. After a night of being pounded, I would think you deserve a well-earned rest.
Absolutely, Monsieur Louis. I made sure he was satisfied at least ten times over. Ten?
More?
Six seems plenty honorable.
Yes, Monsieur. Go on.
[slaps] How are you this morning?
Doing amazing.
I’ve been worried about you since your beautiful wedding in Normandy.
Do you regret it?
Please don’t insult me.
I want to see her again.
I discovered her as a young girl but I want her now as a woman, to love Valmont more than Beaucaillou.
A new challenge?
You really think she’ll ever love you for you?
Consider, for a moment the hatred that Isabelle must harbor towards me.
Surely terrible.
Yes, surely.
It’s so simple to get a woman to hate you after loving her.
However, the path to love again…
Supposing that there is a path.
Well, that’s the path I seek.
My aunt wrote to me.
Isabelle came to see her, and now they’re in Paris.
Rosemonde with little Isabelle?
I don’t get why.
My aunt is realistic.
She isn’t going to keep her most generous lover with some new petticoat.
She’s still beautiful.
Yes.
“Still.”
An adjective that might constrain her to never set foot in Paris.
[Rosemonde] Gercourt only sleeps with a particular type of woman.
The type that I’ve recognized in you, the day you broke my window.
What kind of women?
The ones who’ve never known a man before, but whose curiosity urges them on.
The lascivious ones who seem virtuous.
The virgins who yearn and lust.
But, Madame, I can’t claim that…
Purity?
There are many ways to convince a gentleman that he’s the first man to ever taste our charms.
Take this. Alum stone, dear.
It was carried here via Saxony, where I grew up.
You will run a bath and take it with you.
You’ll be tightened.
And when Gercourt enters you, you’ll witness the miracle in the form of a few drops of blood.
In our language, a ribbon of white is the indication of your virginity.
And of your price.
[dramatic music playing]
[Rosemonde] Paris gets excited just as quickly as it gets bored. A woman goes from being an object of desire to an object of contempt. And there is a universal rule which applies both to the king and the orphan like you.
All your life will depend on the first impression others will have of you.
[laughter]
So you must always be what they expect. That will protect you.
[fast-paced dramatic music playing]
Tonight, you’re aiming for Gercourt himself.
And if he doesn’t please me?
He’ll please you, don’t you worry.
If he unties that ribbon, he’ll transform you into a princess.
To what purpose, though?
You should never attempt to understand a thing before you live it.
All these proverbs.
My question isn’t of life, or even of women and men, but of you, Madame.
You.
If I can make myself irresistible to Gercourt, what will you want of me?
Everything in due course.
How might I know Gercourt?
Follow everyone’s gaze, you’ll know.
[laughter]
And then you’ll see him appear. The Sun King of the pitch-black night.
The Comte de Gercourt!
[cheering, clapping]
I’ll get the two of you introduced.
Charles!
Madame! Ravishing as ever.
What a pleasure to see you.
[raucous laughter]
[Rosemonde] I didn’t know you were coming.
[Charles] But of course.
[chatting and laughter]
Thank you.
Isabelle, please listen.
I’m sorry. I had prepared an apology, but the look in your eyes alarms me.
Then away with you, Monsieur Vicomte, I’m not asking for forgiveness today, nor for you to understand.
It was so stupid.
A bet. It was a stupid bet.
My feelings were most sincere, though.
You felt it, I’m sure.
The passion we shared can’t be falsified like that.
The passion?
A flame has been lit in me.
You lit it.
I’m sorry.
It’s habit.
I’ve misbehaved quite a lot.
I beg you, please.
Go ahead.
I deserve it.
I lived in a modest and harsh world, but which certainly would have been enough for me to exist happily.
You’ve led me to hellfire, Monsieur Vicomte de Valmont.
You’ve led me to hellfire by promising paradise.
You ravaged everything.
But now I’m here, with friends of yours.
Into your world.
To become its queen, and to destroy you.
My dear aunt, light of my life.
What are you doing here?
Do excuse me, but I can’t let you prostitute Isabelle to my rival.
[scoffs] I have other plans for her.
You’re being a fool. There’s no chance.
It’s absurd!
Thank you, Madame.
But I’ve never been more resolved to fight.
[exhales sharply]
Isabelle, I beg of you.
[room falls silent]
Valmont?
What’s the matter, my friend?
[chuckles]
Servants dress?
The costume’s perfect for you.
Is this graceful child the cause of your trouble?
My dear Comte.
Isabelle Dassonville is a young relative in town.
Well, what a good fortune to find you here this evening, in such fine company.
You weren’t coming despite my insistence, and I felt as if you were holding a few grudges towards me.
But you understand me so well.
I don’t wish to do without you, my dear friend.
[chatting and laughter resume]
So, let’s resume the festivities where we left them.
As for you, Mademoiselle…
Now that I’ve seen your lovely eyes, I want to know everything about you.
Everything.
[Rosemonde] Don’t forget, Isabelle. Your face is everything. Your weapon, and your shield. You’re going to have to learn the art of seduction. There is, of course, distance, infatuation, the unattainable. In the beginning, it will be a matter of speed. Create a whirlwind, go faster than his own thoughts can. Make him dizzy with your mysteries. Grab him by the stomach, and never let him go. That will make him a fervent slave to your every caprice… And you will have become his master.
[romantic piano music playing]
You’re marvelous.
Thank you.
Terrified?
No.
But you are afraid a bit.
Because we’re alone now…
We have all night.
No.
Let yourself go.
I’ll be as gentle as a whisper.
No.
You’re that kind of woman.
[tense music playing]
Stop!
[gasping]
[screams]
Let yourself go.
The ribbon’s a lie!
[panting]
I’ve lied.
My virginity, it was taken by Valmont.
Valmont?
It seems he’s a magician… because you seem now to be a beast!
I think you need taming.
[cries out]
What a fiery creature.
She likes to play…
And so do I.
You can have your tramp back, Valmont.
You’ve had your fun, you and your bitch of an aunt.
Do you want… to continue having fun with me?
I am your man, Monsieur de Comte.
Ah.
[tense music playing]
Tell me not to leave. I will obey you.
I want to suffer only one single influence and forever, yours.
In short, you love me?
And I’m ready to die to prove it.
So be it.
Go ahead, then.
I’ll believe it when you’re in the ground.
[suspenseful music playing]
[onlookers gasping]
You are a fool, Valmont.
And it will hurt me to see a small, degenerate provincial girl deprive the world of a fool as unique as you are.
[onlookers tittering]
[dramatic cello music playing]
[music ends]
[serene orchestral music plays]
[Isabelle] Madame, perhaps you will open this letter believing that you will find excuses in it. Yet you will have none. I would have so much wanted to do what you expected of me. But what do you want? I was not born to be sacrificed. After our humiliating defeat, I played the only card I had left. I got married. Out of interest, for survival, and without a single ounce of love. But I do not forget that my title, my fortune, and my castle, I owe them to you. Today you are alone against the world, and your nephew is much too selfish to save you.
[exhales sharply]
Let me help you. I know how to give you your money and your reputation back. Together, we can take back what makes life worth living. Our freedom.
Oh, my princess.
My wife.
My prince.
My husband.
These hours without you seem endless to me.
Is that so?
You’re not tired of me yet, you promise?
But I live only by you.
For you.
Marquis de Merteuil.
Marquis.
You will see.
You will see.
[closing theme music playing]
