Sacha Baron Cohen’s Gender-Swapped Netflix Comedy ‘Ladies First’ Finally Sets 2026 Release Date

Netflix is set to flip the script this spring with the high-concept satirical comedy, Ladies First. Starring Sacha Baron Cohen and Rosamund Pike, the film promises a sharp look at gender dynamics through the lens of a parallel universe. Netflix just lifted the lid on the project a month ahead of its release with first looks and the trailer. 

We’ve been tracking this project since its inception, including the initial casting announcement that paired these two heavyweights, and more recently, the news that legendary stars like Richard E. Grant and Charles Dance joined the roster.

When will Ladies First be on Netflix?

Netflix has officially confirmed that Ladies First will be released globally on May 22, 2026. This brings the Netflix Original movies scheduled for May 2026 to four: Swapped on May 1st and Remarkably Bright Creatures on May 8th on the English side, and My Dearest Señorita on the non-English side, also set for May 1st. 

What is Ladies First about?

The film is based on the 2018 French Netflix film Je Ne Suis Pas Un Homme Facile (I Am Not an Easy Man), which was written and directed by Eléonore Pourriat.

The logline for the English-language reimagining is as follows:

“A ladies’ man finds his life upended when he wakes up in a parallel world dominated by women. With the rules of engagement changed, he goes head-to-head with a fiery female colleague in a playful satire about what happens when the script is flipped.”

Sacha Baron Cohen stars as Damien Sachs, a man who seemingly has it all—money, power, and a never-ending stream of casual flings. As he prepares to ascend to the role of CEO at a leading advertising agency, his life is turned upside down when he wakes up in his worst nightmare: a parallel world dominated by women. Where he once ruled the boardroom, he now finds himself humbled and going head-to-head with the newly fierce and fearless Alex Fox (played by Rosamund Pike).

Ladies First. (L-R) Sacha Baron Cohen as Damien Sachs and Rosamund Pike as Alex Fox in Ladies First. Cr. Rob Youngson/Netflix © 2026.

Who is behind Ladies First?

The film is directed by Thea Sharrock, who has recently found success with Wicked Little Letters and The Beautiful Game. The screenplay is a collaborative effort between Natalie Krinsky, Cinco Paul, and Katie Silberman.

Producing the project are Liza Chasin, p.g.a., Eleonore Dailly, p.g.a., and Edouard de Lachomette, p.g.a., with Nicky Kentish Barnes and Natalie Krinsky serving as executive producers.

Who is in the cast?

As we’ve previously covered in our “everything we know” guide, the cast for this production is exceptionally strong:

• Sacha Baron Cohen as Damien Sachs
• Rosamund Pike as Alex Fox
• Charles Dance
• Emily Mortimer
• Tom Davis
• Richard E. Grant
• Fiona Shaw
• Weruche Opia
• Kathryn Hunter
• Kadiff Kirwan
• Bill Paterson

The movie has an R-rating for sexual material and language and has a pretty short runtime at just 1 hour and 31 minutes. 

Are you looking forward to Ladies First on Netflix? Let us know in the comments below and here’s more of those first looks:

Ladies First. (L-R) Sacha Baron Cohen as Damien Sachs and Kathryn Hunter as Glenda Cartwright in Ladies First. Cr. Rob Youngson/Netflix © 2026.

Ladies First. (Featured) Rosamund Pike as Alex Fox and Weruche Opia as Ruby in Ladies First. Cr. Rob Youngson/Netflix © 2026.

Ladies First. (L-R) Fiona Shaw as Felicity Chase and Sacha Baron Cohen as Damien Sachs in Ladies First. Cr. Netflix © 2026.

Ladies First. (L-R) Rosamund Pike as Alex Fox and Fiona Shaw as Felicity Chase in Ladies First. Cr. Rob Youngson/Netflix © 2026.

Ladies First. (Featured) Sacha Baron Cohen as Damien Sachs in Ladies First. Cr. Rob Youngson/Netflix © 2026.

Ladies First. (L-R) Emily Mortimer as Sunny Black and Sacha Baron Cohen as Damien Sachs in Ladies First. Cr. Rob Youngson/Netflix © 2026.