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Ripley's 'fan favourite' character Lucio steals the show with 'Oscar-worthy performance' in Netflix series

It's not Andrew Scott but a Maine Coon cat that has stolen the spotlight in Netflix's highly praised series 'Ripley'

ROME, ITALY: 'Ripley,' the adaptation of Patricia Highsmith's timeless crime novel 'The Talented Mr Ripley,' has emerged as a masterfully crafted series.

It premiered on Thursday, April 4, 2024, with all episodes released simultaneously, sparking discussions among fans about its on-point casting and stunning cinematography.

Apart from Andrew Scott's remarkable performance as Ripley, fans are loving King, a Maine Coon cat who takes on the role of Lucio in 'Ripley.'

King makes a memorable appearance in the miniseries' prologue, observing Ripley's ominous act of dragging a body down a staircase. The cat later reappears in Episode 5.

Lucio, the Maine Coon cat steals the spotlight in 'Ripley'

In Steven Zaillian's highly praised limited series on Netflix, the Maine Coon has been hailed as a pivotal character.

As the series continues to draw a growing audience, viewers are flocking to the micro-blogging site, X, to express their admiration for Lucio's role in 'Ripley.' This feline star has even garnered more adoring camera moments than any other cast member in the show.

A fan wrote, "Not sure that Lucio, the Maine Coon cat in Ripley, is getting the attention he deserves. His nonchalant curiosity is impressive, and suspect he could have solved the murders far faster than the Italian police. Best performance by a pet since Snoop the collie in ANATOMY OF A FALL."

"Is he this year's Messi? Give King, a scene stealer in Netflix's Ripley, the best cat actor award already! "He was fabulous," writer-director Steven Zaillian tells me. Even amid an excellent cast led by Andrew Scott, King stands out," added another impressed fan.

Fans have developed such an affection for the cat that they're advocating for it to receive accolades, including the prestigious Emmy award.

One fan wrote, "We need a Best Supporting Cat Emmy for Lucio in RIPLEY," while another added, "Lucio the cat gives an Oscar-worthy performance in Ripley The side-eye on that creature."

The stream of posts praising the cat shows no sign of slowing down. Another excited fan said, "The Netflix series Ripley is so well done (the acting and filming) topped off by the gorgeous cat Lucio."

"And Lucio was def. the star by a long way," said another fan.

Why did Steven Zaillian cast the cat as a notable character?

In a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter, Zaillian emphasized the significance of the majestic cat in 'Ripley.'

He said, “I had this idea that the only witnesses to Tom’s crimes would be animals that couldn’t testify and people who might be uncomfortable testifying. The cat, of course, was the tricky one.”

"[During casting,] owners would bring cats into the office and think you would want them to do tricks. But what we wanted was a cat that could just be really chill, and comfortable with people and cameras," he added.

Zaillian's focus on subtle details has certainly resonated with viewers, who have keenly observed even the most intricate elements of the series.

'Ripley' trailer

All eight episodes of Ripley are streaming on Netflix.