Enigma Variations: What We Know About the Novel's Netflix Adaptation Starring Jeremy Allen White (So Far!)

Mar. 15, 2025

Marc Piasecki/WireImage

Jeremy Allen Whitehas found his next leading role as the title character in Netflix’s forthcoming limited seriesEnigma Variations.

While the streamer has yet to confirm any details about the project,Varietyreported on Jan. 27 that the series, which is currently in development, is based onAndré Aciman’s 2017 novel of the same name. The book follows the romantic encounters of Paul, a bisexual man “whose loves remain as consuming and as covetous throughout his adulthood as they were in his adolescence.”

In a 2020 interview withPIBE MagazineaboutEnigma Variations, Aciman said he wanted to write a novel about the “moments in the sexual life of a bisexual man.”

“I wanted to turn every possible stone and examine how he desires and whom he desires,” the author said. “I love the fact that nothing stays the same and that what seemed firmed up one moment, suddenly vanishes the next … Paul wants someone at the age of twelve, and then in his mid to late forties wants someone else. His way of wanting bears his signature as it has not changed a bit since childhood. The person one wants always remains an incomprehensible other.”

Here’s everything to know aboutEnigma Variationsand Jeremy Allen White’s latest leading role.

What isEnigma Variationsabout?

Amazon

The official description of Aciman’s novel states that it charts the love life of a bisexual man named Paul from early adolescence to adulthood as he finds romance and heartache in places like Italy, New England and New York City.

The book’s description reads, “Ahead of every step Paul takes, his hopes, denials, fears, and regrets are always ready to lay their traps. Yet the dream of love lingers. We may not always know what we want. We may remain enigmas to ourselves and to others. But sooner or later, we discover who we’ve always known we were.”

Who is in the cast?

Jeremy Allen White in 2024.Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images

Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images

White is the only cast member currently tied toEnigma Variations, playing the protagonist, Paul. After rising to fame in the long-running seriesShameless, he’s best known for playing Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto in the comedy-dramaThe Bear. The role earned White three Golden Globes and two Primetime Emmys.

The actor’s next big project is playingBruce Springsteenin the upcoming biopicDeliver Me From Nowhere.

Who is directingEnigma Variations?

Oliver Hermanus at the Critics Choice Celebration Of LGBTQ+ Cinema & Television on June 07, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.Steve Granitz/FilmMagic

Steve Granitz/FilmMagic

Oliver Hermanus is set to direct and produceEnigma Variations. His body of work includes other romance-drama films likeMoffieandBeauty.In addition to Hermanus, Amanda Kate Shuman will serve as the showrunner and share executive producer credit with Aciman and White.

When willEnigma Variationsbe released?

As of January 2025,Enigma Variationsis in development. Netflix has not announced a release date.

source: people.com