Pose (TV series)

POSE

Company type	Television series
Industry	Entertainment
Founded	June 3, 2018 (2018-06-03)
Founder	Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, Steven Canals
Defunct	June 6, 2021 (2021-06-06)
Headquarters	United States
Area served	United States
Products	Television drama series

POSE (presented in all caps) is a U.S. drama series that delves into the ball culture of New York City during the 1980s and 1990s, highlighting an LGBTQ subcommunity primarily within African-American and Latino groups. The narrative centers on dancers and models striving for accolades and status within this underground world, supported by chosen families referred to as Houses.

The series was developed by Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, and Steven Canals, and it broadcast on FX from June 3, 2018, through June 6, 2021. Its cast features a diverse ensemble including Michaela Jaé Rodriguez, Dominique Jackson, Billy Porter, Indya Moore, Ryan Jamaal Swain, Charlayne Woodard, Hailie Sahar, Angelica Ross, Angel Bismark Curiel, Dyllón Burnside, Sandra Bernhard, Jason A. Rodriguez, Evan Peters, Kate Mara, and James Van Der Beek.

Upon release, the first season garnered widespread critical praise and numerous award nods such as the Golden Globe for Best Television Series – Drama and Best Actor for Billy Porter. In 2019, Porter made history by winning the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series as the first openly gay Black man to do so. The show also received a nomination for Outstanding Drama Series.

The second season debuted on June 11, 2019, continuing its acclaim among critics. The third and concluding season aired from May 2 to June 6, 2021, sustaining positive reception. On July 13, 2021, Michaela Jaé Rodriguez became the first transgender lead actor nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series.

Premise

Set between 1987 and 1998, Pose examines the convergence of New York City’s African-American and Latino ball culture, the downtown social and literary scene, the rise of yuppie culture, alongside the profound effects of HIV.

Main

• Evan Peters portrays Stan Bowes, Patty’s yuppie spouse employed at Trump Tower, who becomes romantically involved with Angel (season 1)
• Kate Mara plays Patty Bowes, Stan’s wife and mother
• James Van Der Beek appears as Matt Bromley, Stan’s employer (season 1)
• Michaela Jaé Rodriguez stars as Blanca Rodriguez-Evangelista, a transgender woman living with HIV/AIDS, founder and matriarch of the House of Evangelista
• Dominique Jackson embodies Elektra Abundance-Evangelista, former head of the House of Abundance who later establishes the House of Wintour before rejoining Evangelista
• Billy Porter is Prayerful "Pray" Tell, a renowned New York ball emcee, fashion designer, and mentor to House Evangelista; later partners with Ricky
• Indya Moore plays Angel Vasquez-Evangelista, a transgender sex worker who becomes part of House Evangelista and forms relationships with Stan and Papi
• Ryan Jamaal Swain portrays Damon Richards-Evangelista, a gifted dancer and original member of House Evangelista; written out after season three premiere due to actor’s family tragedy; character relocates to Chicago to teach dance by series end
• Charlayne Woodard acts as Helena St. Rogers, a modern dance instructor at the New School for Dance (season 1; guest appearance season 2)
• Hailie Sahar plays Lulu Evangelista-Ferocity, co-founder of House Ferocity who joins Evangelista in final season
• Angelica Ross is Candy Johnson-Ferocity, co-founder of House Ferocity (seasons 1–2; guest role season 3)
• Angel Bismark Curiel portrays Esteban "Lil Papi" Martinez-Evangelista, entrepreneur and LGBT+ model agent during seasons 2 and 3
• Dyllón Burnside plays Ricky Evangelista, Damon’s ex-partner who shifts between Houses Wintour and Evangelista
• Sandra Bernhard appears as Judy Kubrak, a lesbian nurse caring for AIDS patients and ACT UP activist closely connected to Pray Tell and Blanca (seasons 2–3; guest season 1)
• Jason A. Rodriguez portrays Lemar Khan, former member of multiple Houses before founding House Khan (season 3; recurring seasons 1–2)
• Linda La features as Swan (season 3)

Introduced in season 1

• Jeremy McClain portrays Cubby Wintour, a young gay man who previously belonged to the Houses of Abundance, Ferocity, and Evangelista before becoming part of House of Wintour; his character dies in the opening episode of season 3
• Alexia Garcia plays Aphrodite Ferocity, a transgender woman who transitions from House of Xtravaganza to House of Ferocity
• Bianca Castro appears as Veronica Ferocity, a thrift shop cashier who joins House of Ferocity
• Samantha Grace Blumm takes on the role of Amanda Bowes, daughter of Stan and Patty
• Jose Gutierez Xtravaganza features as himself, serving as a judge and member within the real-life House of Xtravaganza
• Johnny Sibilly acts as Costas Perez, Pray Tell's partner who succumbs to AIDS
• Jack Mizrahi appears as himself, functioning as the ballroom emcee and a Masters of Ceremony Council member
• Leiomy Maldonado embodies Florida Ferocity, a House of Ferocity member
• Sol Williams (Grandfather Sol Pen'davis) participates as a judge and was featured in the documentary Paris Is Burning (1990), which inspired this series

Introduced in season 2

• Patti LuPone portrays Frederica Norman, a wealthy real estate tycoon involved in questionable business practices
• Damaris Lewis plays Jazmine Wintour, affiliated with House of Wintour
• Brielle Rheames is cast as Silhouette Wintour, also part of House of Wintour
• Dashaun Wesley appears as Shadow Wintour, another House of Wintour member
• Danielle Cooper plays Wanda, Judy’s girlfriend and an ACT UP activist
• Trudie Styler portrays Eileen Ford, a prominent fashion modeling agent
• André Ward serves as Manhattan, a member of the Masters of Ceremony Council
• J. Cameron Barnet acts as Castle, part of the Masters of Ceremony Council
• Patricia Black plays Chi Chi, Elektra’s colleague at Hellfire Club

Introduced in season 3

• Jeremy Pope appears as Christopher, Blanca’s supportive boyfriend

Introduced in season 1

• Clark Jackson takes on the role of Lawrence Richards ("Pilot"), father to Damon
• Roslyn Ruff portrays Mrs. Richards ("Pilot"), Damon’s mother
• Deidre Goodwin appears as Wanda Green ("Pilot"), employee at New School for Dance
• Matt McGrath plays Mitchell ("Access"), manager of Boy Lounge
• Tamara M. Williams features as Summer, a transgender woman pursuing Stan ("Access", "The Fever")
• Sol Pendavis Williams appears as himself ("Access", "Mother of the Year"), judge and member of House of Pendavis
• Kathryn Erbe acts as Dr. Gottfried ("Giving and Receiving", "The Fever"), Elektra’s doctor
• Christine Ebersole portrays Bobbi ("Giving and Receiving"), Patty’s mother
• Christopher Meloni plays Dick Ford ("The Fever", "Pink Slip"), Elektra’s affluent lover and financial backer
• Cecilia Gentili appears as Miss Orlando ("The Fever", "Butterfly/Cocoon", "Something Borrowed, Something Blue"), provider offering affordable plastic surgery
• Flor de Liz Perez plays Carmen Rodriguez ("Mother's Day"), Blanca’s sister
• Charles Brice acts as Darius ("Love Is the Message"), Blanca’s romantic interest
• Our Lady J appears as Sherilyn ("Love Is the Message", "Love's in Need of Love Today"), local pianist
• Trace Lysette takes on Tess Wintour ("Love is the Message", "Worth It"), a saleswoman at a clothing store who joins House of Wintour
• Laith Ashley features as "Sebastian" ("Love Is the Message"), participant in ballroom events

Introduced in season 2

• Alexander DiPersia portrays Andre Taglioni ("Acting Up", "Revelations"), a distinguished photographer with predatory fetishistic tendencies
• Edward Carnevale appears as Jonas Norman ("Worth It", "Love's in Need of Love Today"), the son of Frederica Norman
• Blaine Alden Krauss plays Chris ("Worth It", "What Would Candy Do?"), a dancer and former romantic partner of Ricky
• Peppermint takes on the role of Euphoria ("Butterfly/Cocoon"), a transgender sex worker
• Danny Johnson is cast as Darnell Johnson ("Never Knew Love Like This Before"), Candy's father
• Patrice Johnson Chevannes acts as Vivica Johnson ("Never Knew Love Like This Before"), Candy's mother
• Austin Scott features as Adrian ("Life's a Beach"), a lifeguard and Blanca’s romantic interest
• KJ Aikens and Gia Parr portray Quincy and Chilly respectively ("In My Heels"), street youths under Blanca’s guardianship

Introduced in season 3

• Eisa Davis plays Angie, Christopher’s critical mother
• Curtiss Cook appears as Thomas, Christopher’s father
• Rahne Jones portrays Leisa, an alcoholism counselor assisting Pray Tell
• Noma Dumezweni is cast as Tasha Jackson, Elektra’s mother
• Norm Lewis plays Vernon Jackson, Pray Tell’s ex-lover who is now a pastor
• Anna Maria Horsford acts as Charlene, Pray Tell’s mother
• Janet Hubert appears as Latrice, Pray Tell’s aunt
• Jackée Harry portrays Jada, another of Pray Tell’s aunts
• Michelle Hurd takes on Ebony Jackson, Vernon’s wife and childhood friend to Pray Tell
• Jordan Aaron Hall depicts young Pray Tell
• Annelise Cepero plays Jimena, the sister of Lil Papi’s former girlfriend
• Mark Lotito and Chris Tardio appear as mobsters Marco Ciccone and Vincent Massino, who are business associates of Elektra

Season 1 (2018)

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Development

On March 16, 2017, FX commissioned a pilot episode for the series, penned by Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, and Steven Canals, who also acted as executive producers alongside Nina Jacobson, Brad Simpson, and Sherry Marsh. The production companies involved were FX Productions and Fox21 Television Studios. By October 2018, Leiomy Maldonado and Danielle Polanco were named choreographers for the ball sequences, while Janet Mock and Our Lady J joined both the writing staff and producing team.

FX approved an eight-episode first season on December 27, 2017. Prior to its debut on May 9, 2018, Murphy committed to donating all profits from the show to LGBTQ+ organizations such as the Sylvia Rivera Law Project, Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund, and Callen-Lorde Community Health Center. This pledge was inspired by ongoing challenges faced by the community regarding healthcare accessibility and employment opportunities.

The series received renewal for a second season on July 12, 2018, which premiered June 11, 2019. Subsequently, FX renewed it for a third season on June 17, 2019. In March 2021, it was confirmed that the third season would conclude the series; it premiered on May 2, 2021.

Casting

Casting commenced in March 2017 under Ryan Murphy’s direction. On October 25, 2017, it was announced that transgender actors Michaela Jaé Rodriguez, Indya Moore, Dominique Jackson, Hailie Sahar, and Angelica Ross would join alongside cisgender actors Ryan Jamaal Swain, Billy Porter, and Dyllón Burnside in principal roles. The production touted assembling the largest transgender cast ever featured in a scripted television series with over fifty transgender characters anticipated. The following day, October 26, Evan Peters, Kate Mara, James Van Der Beek, and Tatiana Maslany were added to the main cast.

On December 27, 2017, Tatiana Maslany departed after her character was reimagined as a fifty-year-old African-American woman; Charlayne Woodard was subsequently recast in this role. On September 19, 2018 Sandra Bernhard was elevated to series regular status for season two portraying Nurse Judy. During PaleyFest on March 23, 2019 Ryan Murphy revealed that Patti LuPone would guest star in the second season.

Filming

The pilot episode's production commenced in New York City during October 2017. Filming for the remaining episodes of the first season was planned to begin in February 2018. Ryan Murphy took on directing duties for the initial two episodes, while Janet Mock directed the sixth episode, marking her as the first transgender woman of color to both write and direct a television episode. Production on the third season was halted on March 14, 2020, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The shooting for the third and final season wrapped up on March 20, 2021.

Marketing

FX unveiled the first teaser trailer on April 12, 2018, simultaneously announcing that the series would premiere on June 3, 2018. The official trailer was subsequently released on May 3, 2018.

Premiere

The world premiere took place on May 17, 2018, at Manhattan's Hammerstein Ballroom. On July 23, 2018, Dyllón Burnside hosted a benefit concert alongside co-stars Billy Porter and Ryan Jamaal Swain to commemorate the season one finale and support GLSEN fundraising efforts. At this event, Burnside shared his personal coming out experience and emphasized the necessity of safe environments for LGBTQ individuals. Porter performed selections from his latest album, while Michaela Jaé Rodriguez delivered a rendition of "Waving Through a Window" from Dear Evan Hansen.

In March 2019, the series was featured at Paleyfest LA during the Paley Center for Media's annual event held at Los Angeles’ Dolby Theatre.

Pose debuted in the United Kingdom on BBC Two on March 21, 2019. The second season premiered on October 26, 2019, followed by the third season on August 8, 2021. Each full season became available for streaming on BBC iPlayer immediately after its respective premiere.

Influences

Though a work of fictional storytelling, the series draws significant inspiration from Jennie Livingston's 1990 documentary Paris Is Burning, with Livingston also contributing as a consulting producer. Several houses and characters were modeled after or named in homage to actual individuals featured in the documentary, including appearances by voguing legend Jose Gutierez Xtravaganza and Sol Pendavis Williams of the House of Pendavis. Creators Murphy, Canals, and writer/producer Janet Mock have acknowledged Paris Is Burning as a crucial influence shaping both the show’s narrative and their own identities.

Reception

Critical response

Season 1

The first season holds a 96% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 84 reviews with an average rating of 8.3/10. The critical consensus reads: "Brimming with vitality, grace, and assurance, Pose elegantly balances lavish artistry with engaging melodrama to offer a vibrant new addition to Ryan Murphy's oeuvre." On Metacritic, it received a score of 75 out of 100 from 27 critics, indicating generally favorable feedback.

Richard Lawson of Vanity Fair praised it as "a compelling depiction of challenging times met with joy... long overdue." Likewise, Matt Zoller Seitz from Vulture commended its ambitious scope, visual style, and focus on underrepresented communities, highlighting FX's substantial commitment to authentic production design akin to a Martin Scorsese film.

Conversely, Newsday rated it two-and-a-half stars out of four, describing it as "frequently uninspired television" despite commendable intentions. In a more critical review, Willa Paskin of Slate characterized the series as feeling didactic, faulting its characters for being portrayed more as idealized figures than fully realized individuals with flaws.

Season 2

The second season of Pose achieved a 98% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with an average score of 8.40/10 from 41 reviews. Critics summarized the season as "a charming and nuanced interplay between light and shadow, where Pose masterfully merges the harshness of reality with the allure of the runway, elevating its brilliance even further." On Metacritic, season two received a score of 79 out of 100 based on evaluations from 14 critics, reflecting "generally favorable reviews."

Season 3

For its third season, Pose earned a perfect 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with an average rating of 7.70/10 derived from 29 reviews. The critical consensus describes it as "a brief but exuberantly joyful tribute to life that should not be overlooked." Metacritic assigned season three a score of 76 out of 100 from 11 critic reviews, also signifying "generally favorable reviews."

During the premiere of the third season, cast member Janet Mock acknowledged some internal criticism directed at the show's writing.

Accolades

Year	Award	Category	Nominee(s)	Result
2018	Gotham Independent Film Awards	Breakthrough Series – Long Form	Pose	Nominated
	American Film Institute Awards	Top 10 TV Programs of the Year	Pose	Won
2019	Golden Globe Awards	Best Television Series – Drama	Pose	Nominated
		Best Actor – Television Series Drama	Billy Porter	Nominated
	Dorian Awards	TV Drama of the Year	Pose	Won
		TV Performance of the Year – Actor	Billy Porter	Won
		LGBTQ TV Show of the Year	Pose	Won
		TV Musical Performance of the Year	Billy Porter, Michaela Jaé Rodriguez and Our Lady J (performing "Home")	Won
	Critics' Choice Television Awards	Best Drama Series	Pose	Nominated
		Best Actor in a Drama Series	Billy Porter	Nominated
	Writers Guild of America Awards	Television: New Series	'Steven Canals, Brad Falchuk, Janet Mock, Ryan Murphy, Our Lady J and others'	Nominated
	Outstanding Drama Series	Pose	Won
	Entertainment honoree	Pose	Won
	Outstanding Programs Advancing Social Change Through Television	Pose	Won
	Breakthrough Performance	Michaela Jaé Rodriguez	Nominated
	Program of the Year	Pose	Nominated
	Outstanding New Program	Nominated
	Outstanding Achievement in Drama	Nominated
	Individual Achievement in Drama	Billy Porter	Nominated
	Best Drama Series	Pose	Nominated
	Billy Porter	Won
	Michaela Jaé Rodriguez	Nominated
	Christopher Meloni	Nominated
	The cast of Pose	Nominated
	Outstanding Drama Series	'Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, Nina Jacobson and others'	'Nominated'
	'Billy Porter (for "Love Is the Message")'	'Won'
	'Alexa L. Fogel'	'Nominated'
	'Chris Clark and team (for "Pilot")'	'Nominated'
	'Sherri Laurence and team (for "Pilot")'	'Nominated'
	'Lou Eyrich and team (for "Pilot")'	'Nominated'
	'Pose: Identity, Family Community (Inside Look)'	'Nominated'
	'Billy Porter'	'Nominated'
	'Billy Porter'	'Nominated'
'Pose'	'Nominated'
'Billy Porter'	'Nominated'
'Michaela Jaé Rodriguez'	'Nominated'
'Barry Lee Moe, Timothy Harvey and Sabana Majeed'	'Nominated'
'Alexa L. Fogel and team'	'Won'
'Pose'	'Won'
'Pose'	'Won'
'Michaela Jaé Rodriguez'	'Nominated'
'Billy Porter'	'Won'
'Pose'	'Won'

See also

• Bros
• Fire Island
• LGBT culture in New York City
• List of LGBT people from New York City
• List of dramatic television series with LGBT characters
• Spoiler Alert

External links

• Watch Jennie Livingston's 1990 documentary, Paris Is Burning on YouTube