Jude Law Says It Was ‘Emotional’ Watching New ‘Ripley’ Series

Jude Law is revisiting the story of master con-artist Tim Ripley 25 years after starring in the novel’s original movie adaptation.

The actor, 51, took on the role of Dickie Greenleaf in the 1999 version of Patricia Highsmith’s Tim Ripley novels titled The Talented Mr. Ripley. Now that Netflix has debuted its own reiteration called Ripley starring Andrew Scott, Law has given his two cents on the new version.

Ripley follows Tom Ripley (Scott) after he is hired by a wealthy benefactor to convince his vagabond son Dickie (Johnny Flynn) to return home from Italy. But Tom quickly becomes enchanted by the glamor of Dickie’s lifestyle and does everything to ensure his place alongside him.

“I’ve watched at least five or six of [the episodes],” Law told Entertainment Weekly of the new series. “Like any great source material, it’s really rewarding and interesting to watch something from a new perspective, a new angle.”

Though the new series’ director Steven Zaillian’s take on the story is different than the original’s Anthony Minghella, Law explained that it’s been “very interesting” to see how the bodies of work intersect and diverge from one another.

“I’m enjoying it,” he continued. “How can one not? It’s such great material. You’re in great hands with wonderful actors, and it’s such an interesting character.

The actor added that both versions “reflect the director in many ways,” noting how Minghella’s was “visual, colorful and romantic” while Zaillian’s is “quite forensic and more sinister.”

“Film, to me, often reflects the person at the helm of the camera,” he said.

While Law hasn’t seen The Talented Mr. Ripley in “many, many years,” he revealed how watching the new series had reignited some of the fond memories he had filming the original movie.

“It was funny how many of the scenes are similar and kicked up so many memories in my mind. And how well I knew it,” he explained. “I kept thinking, ‘Oh God, I remember this.’ Down to the name of Dickie’s maid, Ermelinda. I always remember saying, ‘Ermelinda, Ermelinda.’ There was an emotional level, too, to revisiting those characters.”

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Ripley is now streaming on Netflix.