How old Rachel Weisz is supposed to be in Vladimir, the age gap, and the cast's ages in real life
One line about Weisz's character's age has left some viewers confused
Vladimir stars Rachel Weisz as a middle-aged professor infatuated with a younger colleague – and this is how old her character is meant to be, as well as the ages of all the cast.
The new Netflix series follows Weisz’s (intentionally) unnamed protagonist as her obsession with Vlad (Leo Woodall) spirals out of control. Meanwhile, her husband (John Slattery) stares down the end of his career after students accuse him of sexual misconduct.
From its Fleabag-esque fourth-wall breaks, you should know Weisz’s character isn’t always a reliable narrator. Remember the salad that nobody even ate, or the fire that may not have happened?
So, it begs the question: how old is she, really? Well, if you’re among those asking how Weisz looks so young, you’re in the right place.
How old is Rachel Weisz in Vladimir and real life?
Rachel Weisz is 56 years old, having been born on March 7, 1970. In the Netflix show, her character is 54 (give or take a year).
If you thought she was younger, you’re not the only one. There’s a moment in the series where she says she “just turned 40” – but that was a joke.
On Reddit, one viewer claimed the protagonist’s age was one of the “worst changes” in the series. However, they’ve just got a bit mixed up: she’s definitely in her 50s, and close to Weisz’s age in real life.
Vladimir fans ask: ‘How does Rachel Weisz look so young?’
Vladimir has been well-received by critics and everyday viewers alike. However, there’s been a near-unanimous response to the series: everyone has been left awestruck by Rachel Weisz.
For example, one Glamour article is simply headlined: “Sorry, but Rachel Weisz is way too hot for her role in Vladimir.”
On Reddit, another viewer said they were “transfixed” by Weisz. “She’s absolutely luminous,” they added.
To be fair, it’s a compliment. Julia May Jonas’ original novel includes several lines with the protagonist fretting over their appearance. “Even as I obsessed, I never spoke of my weight, my wrinkles, my greys,” one page reads.
Whether or not this makes Weisz the best choice for the role aside, it has left people curious about how she’s maintained her appearance over the years. Well, it turns out, the actress is firmly opposed to Botox.
In 2009, the actress told Harper’s Bazaar that it should be “banned for actors, as steroids are for sportsmen”.
“Acting is all about expression; why would you want to iron out a frown?” she added.
In 2011, Kate Winslet revealed to The Telegraph that she’d be forming a “British Anti-Cosmetic Surgery League” with Weisz and Emma Thompson.
How old is the Vladimir cast?
Leo Woodall
- Age in the show: Late 20s/early 30s
- Age in real life: 29
Woodall, who plays the titular Vladimir, turned 29 in September 2025.
However, this is quite a big change from the book. In Jonas’ original novel, Vlad is 40 years old.
While Jonas hasn’t addressed this directly, she did speak to Elle about the series remaining faithful to the book, despite its changes.
“I feel there’s differences that come from the form and the process of development,” she explained.
“When we think about female sexuality in a straight, socialised way, we tend to think about women who are in their 20s and 30s.
“And I think so much of our desire – if you’re a certain kind of woman, and I think there are many of them – comes from being desired in a very classic and typical way.”
John Slattery
- Age in the show: Late 50s (but never confirmed)
- Age in real life: 63
While Slattery is 63 years old in real life, his character’s age is never stated outright in the show. However, there’s a clue in the book.
When the protagonist explains how she met him, she says she was doing her PhD when she had lunch with one of the university’s writers in residence.
“The lunch came about because I had attended one of his classes and mentioned that I wished to write fiction, and he, who had taken the same path of academia and literature, extended an offer of advice,” it reads.
This would suggest he’s older than the protagonist, but not by much, given she was 27 when she was doing her PhD.
Jessica Henwick
- Age in the show: Late 20s/early 30s
- Age in real life: 33
Henwick plays Cynthia, Vladimir’s wife, with whom he shares a child. Her age in the show is never stated outright, but she’s presumed to be around the same age as Vlad.
Unlike Vlad, this is similar to the book. According to the novel, she’s 32.
Ellen Robertson
- Age in the show: 27
- Age in real life: 33
Robertson plays Sidney, the protagonist’s daughter. She’s 27 in the show, which is very similar to her age in the book.
While we don’t know the actress’ birthday, a 2021 profile by Bustle said she was 28, suggesting she’s 33 today (if not 32).
