Feud: Capote vs. The Swans
| Company type | Television series season |
|---|---|
| Industry | Entertainment |
| Founded | January 31, 2024 |
| Headquarters | United States |
| Products | Television anthology series |
| Parent | Feud (TV series) |
Feud: Capote vs. The Swans represents the sophomore season of the American anthology series Feud, developed by Ryan Murphy, Jaffe Cohen, and Michael Zam for the FX network. This season is helmed by directors Gus Van Sant, Max Winkler, and Jennifer Lynch, with the script penned by Jon Robin Baitz. Comprising eight episodes, the season is adapted from Laurence Leamer’s book Capote's Women: A True Story of Love, Betrayal, and a Swan Song for an Era. The initial two episodes debuted on January 31, 2024, followed by the release of remaining episodes on Hulu after their FX airing.
Premise
The narrative follows writer Truman Capote as he alienates the Swans, an elite circle of New York socialites, by fictionalizing their controversial lives in his incomplete novel, Answered Prayers. The publication of the chapter "La Côte Basque 1965" in Esquire, set in the renowned restaurant frequented by Capote and the Swans, sparks outrage among several members who then seek to retaliate by destroying his reputation.
Main
- Naomi Watts portrays Babe Paley, a prominent socialite, magazine editor, and Capote’s closest confidante.
- Diane Lane appears as Slim Keith, a fashion icon and socialite who harbors resentment toward Capote.
- Chloë Sevigny takes on the role of C. Z. Guest, a socialite, author, and Capote’s final remaining Swan companion.
- Calista Flockhart embodies Lee Radziwill, a sharp-tongued socialite and younger sibling of Jackie Kennedy.
- Demi Moore plays Ann Woodward, a socialite and radio actress implicated in her husband’s murder.
- Molly Ringwald acts as Joanne Carson, a model, television host, and Capote’s ultimate sacrificial figure.
- Treat Williams portrays Bill Paley, Babe’s unfaithful spouse.
- Joe Mantello is cast as Jack Dunphy, Capote’s longest-term partner who urged him toward rehabilitation.
- Russell Tovey depicts John O'Shea, Capote’s abusive lover characterized by a "heterosexual dominance" complex.
- Tom Hollander enacts the role of Truman Capote, author of La Côte Basque, 1965, whose work exposed New York’s elite society and its "swans."
Recurring
- Jessica Lange plays Lillie Mae Faulk, Capote’s mother.
- Ella Beatty portrays Kerry O'Shea, O'Shea’s estranged daughter and Capote’s mentee.
- Roya Shanks appears as Louisa Firth, a socialite captivated by Capote’s storytelling.
- Jamie Askew acts as Jennifer Jones, actress and advocate for health causes.
- Scott Zimmerman assumes the role of David Selznick, producer and screenwriter adapting Capote’s short stories.
Guest
- Rebecca Creskoff features as Happy Rockefeller, philanthropist and spouse of 41st U.S. vice president, Nelson Rockefeller.
- David Healy portrays Nelson Rockefeller, 41st vice president of the United States.
- Daniel Adaro appears as Chris O'Shea, O'Shea’s estranged son.
- Tom Stratford depicts Bill Blass, fashion designer and longtime friend of Capote.
- Marin Ireland acts as Katharine Graham, principal publisher of The Washington Post.
- Alison Wright plays Pamela Harriman, socialite turned Ambassador to France.
- Pawel Szajda portrays filmmaker Albert Maysles, creator of the fictional documentary "Masquerade 1966."
- Yuval David appears as filmmaker and Albert’s brother, David Maysles.
- Chris Chalk embodies civil rights activist, author, and friend of Capote, James Baldwin.
- Charlotte Cronin features as socialite Cornelia Guest, daughter of C.Z. Guest.
- Jeffrey Grover plays renowned fashion photographer and old acquaintance of Lillie Mae Faulk, Richard Avedon.
- Dennis Staroselsky appears as talk show host Stanley Siegel from The Stanley Siegel Show.
- Jessica DiGiovani portrays Kate Paley, Babe Paley’s estranged daughter.
- Dan Cordle assumes the role of Joe Capote, Capote’s stepfather and Lillie Mae Faulk’s second husband.
Episodes
Development
In February 2017, FX confirmed a second season of the Feud anthology, with Ryan Murphy and Jon Robin Baitz returning as writers. The initial storyline centered on the dynamic between Charles, Prince of Wales, and Diana, Princess of Wales.
By April 2022, the narrative focus transitioned to Truman Capote and his intricate connections within New York's elite social circles. Gus Van Sant took on directing duties, with Naomi Watts cast in a leading role. Jon Robin Baitz adapted the series from Laurence Leamer's acclaimed book Capote's Women. The executive producing team comprised Murphy, Alexis Martin Woodall, Baitz, Van Sant, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Watts, Eric Kovtun, and Scott Robertson.
This project marked Treat Williams' final work prior to his passing in 2023.
Casting
In August 2022, Tom Hollander was announced to portray Truman Capote, alongside Diane Lane and Calista Flockhart. The following month, Demi Moore joined the ensemble.
Filming
Production commenced in New York during the fall of 2022.
Broadcast
Feud: Capote vs. The Swans premiered its first two episodes on January 31, 2024, airing at 10 p.m. ET/PT on FX. Simultaneously, a special Director’s Cut was broadcast on FXX. In Canada, the season launched concurrently on FX at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT.
Streaming
Following their FX premiere, episodes became available for streaming on Hulu the next day. Globally, the series was accessible via Disney+ through the Star hub and on Star+ throughout Latin America.
On its initial full day of release, the show ranked first on Hulu’s "Top 15 Today" chart. According to JustWatch, it was the sixth most-streamed U.S. series for the week spanning February 5–11. Reelgood reported it as the eighth most-watched U.S. program during the week of February 4; it climbed to third place the subsequent week before settling at ninth by February 21.
Critical response
On Rotten Tomatoes, Feud: Capote vs. The Swans holds a 77% approval rating based on 64 reviews, with critics praising its luxe setting and strong ensemble despite fewer incidents than its predecessor. On Metacritic, it has a weighted average score of 70 out of 100 from 33 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.
David Bianculli from NPR lauded the season as a compelling drama featuring a captivating narrative and an exceptional cast, emphasizing the actors' commanding performances. Alison Herman of Variety highlighted the show's earnest portrayal of the intricate relationship between straight women and gay men as a notable strength that compensates for certain shortcomings. Benjamin Lee from The Guardian awarded it four stars out of five, commending its thoughtful execution and performances by Tom Hollander, Naomi Watts, and Chloë Sevigny while noting its emphasis on melancholy rather than cruelty.
Carol Midgley of The Sunday Times also gave four stars, describing it as visually impressive and sharply scripted, with Tom Hollander’s depiction of Truman Capote standing out for capturing his tragic decline. Emma Fraser of IGN rated it eight out of ten, praising elements such as the cast’s performances, costume design, and overall production values for elevating the series.
Jackson McHenry writing for Vulture observed that although the series delivers surface-level insights into Capote’s public image along with glamour and intrigue, it falls short in exploring his creative process and the cultural shifts of the 1960s more deeply. Melanie McFarland at Salon criticized the female characters as lacking complexity, focusing excessively on their vindictiveness without nuance. She also challenged comparisons to The Real Housewives, suggesting such parallels undermine the cast’s efforts by portraying them as rigid rather than authentically multifaceted.
Ratings
The debut episode, which aired on January 31, 2024, garnered an audience of 461,000 viewers (P2+) and achieved a 0.15% rating. Within the key 18–49 age group, it attracted 92,300 viewers, corresponding to a 0.07% rating. Viewer numbers varied in later episodes; for instance, the installment broadcast on March 13, 2024, reached 307,000 total viewers (0.10% rating) and 262,500 household viewers (0.21% rating). The same episode's viewership in the 18–49 demographic was recorded at 52,500 individuals (0.04% rating). Across the series, total viewership fluctuated between 259,000 and 461,000 (ratings from 0.08% to 0.15%), household ratings ranged from 131,000 to 287,500 (0.19% to 0.23%), and the audience aged 18–49 consistently stayed within the range of 39,600 to 79,500 viewers.
Accolades
Notes
External links
- Articles with short description
- 2020s American anthology television series
- 2020s American LGBTQ-related drama television series
- 2024 American television seasons
- American biographical series
- American English-language television shows
- American television docudramas
- Cultural depictions of James Baldwin
- Cultural depictions of Truman Capote
- FX Networks original programming
- Mass media portrayals of the upper class
- Television series created by Ryan Murphy (producer)
- Television series set in 1955
- Television series set in 1966
- Television series set in 1968
- Television series set in 1975
- Television series set in 1978
- Television series set in 1984
- Television shows about writers
- Television shows based on non-fiction books
- Television shows set in New York City
- Works about feuds