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A legendary Italian novel has returned to the screen: The Leopard. In a six-episode Netflix miniseries, Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa’s 1958 literary masterpiece – previously brought to life in Luchino Visconti’s 1963 film – has been reimagined against the backdrop of Risorgimento-era Sicily, where revolutionary aspirations collide with baroque decadence. Under the direction of Tom Shankland and featuring a cast of dynamic talents, the adaptation brings a fresh perspective to a timeless story.
Among the key figures is Deva Cassel, daughter of cinematic icons Monica Bellucci and Vincent Cassel. With her delicate Mediterranean beauty, she steps into the role of Angelica – a character famously played by Claudia Cardinale in Visconti’s film. Taking on the role of young Tancredi, once portrayed by Alain Delon, is Saul Nanni, who has also become Cassel’s off-screen boyfriend. Meanwhile, Kim Rossi Stuart plays Don Fabrizio.
For this interview, GRAZIA met Cassel in the opulent halls of the Italian Embassy in Paris.
GRAZIA: Welcome to your first GRAZIA cover.
DEVA CASSEL: It’s an honour! GRAZIA has always felt familiar to me. It’s one of those symbols, one of those objects that have been with me since childhood, and it represents the beginning of my love for fashion. It’s a passion I’ve had since I was little – it started when I saw my mother or father dressing up for events. I loved mixing different styles and would often rummage through my father’s closet to borrow clothes or accessories.
GRAZIA: How did this Leopard adventure begin?
CASSEL: Director Tom Shankland contacted me while I was in New York. He sent me the script – it was incredibly long! I had only worked on one film role before (The Beautiful Summer by Laura Luchetti), and I was a bit intimidated by such a substantial and emotionally complex script. My character, Angelica, has a multi-layered personality. I studied a lot, did auditions via Zoom, and eventually went to London to meet Shankland and his team.
GRAZIA: What did you feel when you got the part?
CASSEL: An immense emotion, great excitement, but also a bit of fear. Suddenly, it was all real. Taking on the role of Angelica was delicate; the script was beautifully written – an opportunity I couldn’t pass up, but also a challenge I had to prove myself worthy of.
GRAZIA: Was cinema an early love, like fashion?
CASSEL: Absolutely not. Unlike fashion, I actually hated cinema when I was younger. It was my parents’ job, and everyone kept asking if I wanted to do the same thing, so I rejected the idea out of principle. But once I started modelling, I felt more and more comfortable in front of the camera. Slowly, I began considering acting roles. Cinema has a dynamic energy – voices, movement, and the chance to fully immerse yourself in a story and create a complex character. That suddenly fascinated me. Then the opportunity for The Beautiful Summer came along. I read the script, and it felt like poetry – the character fit me perfectly. That’s when I decided to give it a try.
GRAZIA: You’re stepping into a role once played by Claudia Cardinale. What do you love about Angelica?
CASSEL: The idea of following in Cardinale’s footsteps intimidated me a lot. But I’ve learned to put things into perspective – I do the same in my modelling career. Throughout my life, I’ve often been compared to my mother, and I know it’s something I’ll hear forever. I’ve gotten used to comparisons; there will always be someone saying, ‘It was better before,’ or ‘You look just like her,’ or the opposite. So, I’ve learned to detach from it. Taking on a role once played by an actress of Cardinale’s calibre will inevitably lead to more comparisons, but I try to embrace it in the best way possible. Holding that script in my hands was an exciting challenge. I felt we could create something new – bring a fresh, modern take to the scene. The Leopard is set in the time of Italy’s unification battles, but its themes – family tensions, social divides, love – are timeless. Angelica is a sensual woman, aware of both her beauty and the effect she has on others, as well as her feminine vulnerability. She knows how to navigate the bad intentions of the men around her gracefully.
GRAZIA: What were your most memorable moments on set?
CASSEL: There were so many people – an incredible cast – and we traveled to some of the most beautiful places in Sicily and Rome. For me, it was also an opportunity to spend time in Italy, which I hadn’t done in a few years. Strong friendships formed during filming, and most importantly, it was on this set that I met my boyfriend, Saul Nanni. Everything happened naturally – our relationships on set developed in a very spontaneous way. I was lucky to be surrounded by people with extensive experience in cinema; they made me feel comfortable and safe.
GRAZIA: You’ve lived between Italy and France. What have these two cultures given you?
CASSEL: I like to say I’m an Italian with a French attitude. I think that phrase perfectly describes me. I’ve had the opportunity to live in different countries, but France and Italy are the two I know best – the ones where I feel at home. I lived in France longer, studied there, built my friendships and professional relationships, but Italy represents warmth, food, and family. Sometimes, I like bringing a bit of Italian conviviality to France, and vice versa, I introduce a touch of French culture in Italy. I love the hybrid effect of merging the two cultures. But it’s impossible for me to choose between them – they are so different and yet complementary.
GRAZIA: What are their drawbacks?
CASSEL: I could say I’m allergic to the chaotic traffic in Rome or to the slightly snobbish attitude of Parisians. But even these traits have their flip side – Rome’s chaos is vibrant, and Parisians are efficient and focused. Beyond my Franco-Italian identity, I’ve been lucky to travel a lot since childhood, which has helped me adapt easily and feel at home anywhere. Recently, I spent four months in Morocco for a film project, and I felt completely at home there. I love sleeping in different places, trying different cuisines, and interacting with people from entirely different cultures. I speak five languages, and that’s one of the greatest gifts my parents have given me. As a child, I didn’t understand why it was important. I used to think, ‘Why learn so many languages if I can only speak one at a time?’ [laughs]. But once I started working, I realised how lucky I was and how much it made things easier for me.
CASSEL: Their life lessons stay with me every day. Some of their phrases have become personal mantras. My father always says, ‘Deva, always keep your head on your shoulders,’ meaning to be responsible and stay clear-headed, no matter what life throws at you. My mother, on the other hand, often says, ‘Beauty is like a Ferrari – if you don’t know how to drive it, you’ll crash.’ That’s another form of responsibility. One thing they both have in common, even if expressed differently, is that they taught me to have confidence in myself and gave me immense freedom in my choices. The independence they instilled in me is essential for navigating life.”
GRAZIA: Where do you see yourself in the future?
CASSEL: Oh, I don’t even know what I’ll be doing tomorrow! I don’t have specific plans, but I do know what I want to be. First of all, I want to always be aware of the importance of the present – something I used to underestimate. Six months ago, a director suggested I try meditation to appreciate the moment, and it’s brought me a lot of balance. Most importantly, in 10, 20, or 50 years, I just want to be happy. It sounds simple, but it’s not. You have to know yourself deeply to understand what truly makes you happy.
EXPLORE GRAZIA’S FULL FASHION SHOOT WITH DEVA CASSEL HERE.
PHOTOGRAPHY: SABINE VILLIARD
FASHION STYLIST: AURELIEN STORNY / STORNY + MISERICORDIA
HAIR: JOHN NOLLET
MAKEUP: JOLANTA CEDRO USING DIOR BEAUTY
MANICURE: PHILIPPE OVAK
PHOTOGRAPHY ASSISTANTS: HELENE BOZZI & NICOLAS DARDE
FASHION ASSISTANT: AZIN MOGHADDAM
HAIR ASSISTANT: PIERRICK SELLENET
WORDS: EVA MORLETTO
TALENT: DEVA CASSEL
WITH THANKS TO: AMBASSADE D’ITALIE
THIS FEATURE IS PUBLISHED IN THE 21ST EDITION OF GRAZIA INTERNATIONAL. ORDER YOUR COPY HERE.
TOP BANNER IMAGE: COTTON SILK FAILLE V-NECK DRESS, SHOP SIMILAR, LONG GLOVES IN STRETCH NAPPA, SHOP NOW, CHRISTIAN DIOR. HANDMADE HEADPIECE, JOHN NOLLET, SHOP SIMILAR. PANTHÈRE DE CARTIER BRACELET, SHOP NOW, PANTHÈRE DE CARTIER RING IN YELLOW GOLD WITH ONYX, BLACK LACQUER AND TSAVORITE GARNETS, SHOP NOW, CARTIER
