Tom Ripley was a fictional creation of the Golden Age of the Homocidal Homosexual in literature and film (“Compulsion,” etc) and he remains Patricia Highsmith’s most famous creation.

Even though she herself — a lesbian — denied he was gay in the years after the publication of her 1955 novel. He was just murderously and sexually opportunistic, she said, the ultimate “imposter.” Readers and critics did not buy that. Well, the “imposter” label certainly rings true in any interpretation of the character.

Ripley was featured in the French classic “Purple Noon,” revived for “The Talented Mr. Ripley,” “Ripley’s Game” and “Ripley Underground.” And now Andrew Scott (“Spectre,” “All of Us Strangers”) brings him to life for a Netflix mini-series.

Dakota Fanning and John Malkvovich, who starred in “Ripley’s Game” over 20 years ago, also star.

April 4, this new, extended version of life with the self-inventing loner and killer premieres on Netflix.