Trust (American TV series)

Trust

Company type	Television series
Industry	Entertainment
Founded	March 25, 2018 (2018-03-25)
Founder	Simon Beaufoy
Headquarters	United States
Products	Television drama series
Parent	FX Productions

Trust is a U.S. drama television series created by Simon Beaufoy, which debuted on March 25, 2018, on the FX network. The initial season comprises 10 episodes, scripted by Beaufoy and directed by Danny Boyle alongside others. Set in 1973, the narrative focuses on the kidnapping of John Paul Getty III, the heir to the Getty Oil empire, during his time in Italy.

Critics generally responded favorably to the series, highlighting the performances—particularly those of Dickinson, Fraser, Sutherland, and Swank—as well as the authentic casting of Italian actors for roles representing Italian characters.

Premise

Trust delves into the challenges and dynamics faced by one of America's wealthiest yet most complex families, the Gettys. The storyline begins in 1973 and centers around the abduction of John Paul Getty III, heir to the Getty oil dynasty, orchestrated by the Italian Mafia in Rome.

Main

The principal cast members receive credit only for episodes in which they appear:

• Donald Sutherland portrays J. Paul Getty, a magnate in the oil industry
• Hilary Swank plays Gail Getty, mother of John Paul Getty III
• Harris Dickinson takes on the role of John Paul Getty III, grandson of J. Paul Getty
• Michael Esper acts as John Paul Getty Jr., son of J. Paul Getty
• Luca Marinelli features as Primo, an Italian mobster leading the kidnapping
• Hannah New is cast as Victoria Holdsworth, spouse of John Paul Getty Jr.
• Giuseppe Battiston appears as Bertolini
• Sophie Winkleman plays Margot
• Verónica Echegui portrays Luciana
• Francesco Colella acts as Leonardo, associate to Don Salvatore
• Donatella Finocchiaro appears as Regina
• Giovanni D'Aleo features as Francesco, son of Leonardo
• Nicola Rignanese plays Don Salvatore, crime boss and Primo’s uncle
• Niccolò Senni portrays Stefano "Fifty" Nizzuto, Primo’s cousin
• Anna Chancellor acts as Penelope Kitson, girlfriend to J. Paul Getty
• Amanda Drew is cast as Belinda, concubine of J. Paul Getty
• Andrea Arcangeli plays Angelo, English-speaking henchman of Don Salvatore who befriends John Paul Getty III
• Mauro Lamanna appears as Dante
• Silas Carson portrays Jahangir "Bullimore" Khan, butler to J. Paul Getty
• Jo Stone-Fewings acts as Dennis, gardener for J. Paul Getty
• Laura Bellini plays Gisela Martine Zacher, a German woman who weds John Paul Getty III
• Sarah Bellini features as Jutta Winklemann, Gisela’s twin sister
• Charlotte Riley appears as Robina Lund
• Brendan Fraser portrays James Fletcher Chace, chief of security for J. Paul Getty who frequently breaks the fourth wall to address the audience

Recurring

• David Agranov appears as J. Ronald Getty, son of J. Paul Getty
• David Bamber plays Bela Von Block
• John Schwab acts as Lang Jeffries
• Norbert Leo Butz features as Gordon Getty, another son of J. Paul Getty
• Kiersten Wareing portrays Pauline, a Cockney character

Guest

• Filippo Valle appears as George Getty, son of J. Paul Getty who dies by suicide
• Lynda Boyd plays Jacqueline Getty
• Bella Dayne portrays Talitha Getty, former wife of John Paul Getty Jr.
• Lucy Gentili acts as Ariadne Getty, sister to John Paul Getty III
• Rob Brydon features as Richard Nixon, the 37th President of the United States

Development

On March 9, 2016, FX commissioned a ten-episode inaugural season of the series, created through a "first look" agreement with Danny Boyle. Executive producers include Boyle, Simon Beaufoy, and Christian Colson, with Beaufoy as the screenwriter and Boyle directing. The show is produced by FX Productions, Cloud Eight Films, Decibel Films, and Snicket Films Limited. The series debuted on March 25, 2018.

Casting

In April 2017, Donald Sutherland and Hilary Swank were cast as J. Paul Getty and Gail Getty. Harris Dickinson joined the cast in May portraying J. Paul Getty III. Brendan Fraser and Michael Esper were added in June to play James Fletcher Chace and John Paul Getty II, respectively, alongside Veronica Echegui in a recurring part. Hannah New was brought on in July for a recurring role.

Filming

Principal photography for the series commenced in 2017, taking place in Rome, Italy.

Marketing

The first official trailer for the series was unveiled by FX on January 9, 2018.

Renewal plans

During the Television Critics Association's winter press tour on January 5, 2018, producers revealed discussions about a possible second season. Simon Beaufoy expressed interest in focusing on the 1930s period to explore the development of John Paul Getty I's complex personality. FX conveyed satisfaction with the initial season and indicated openness to continuing the series.

Reception

The series garnered mostly favorable critiques. It holds a 78% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes with an average score of 6.5/10 from 60 reviews, highlighting Donald Sutherland's compelling portrayal of Getty. On Metacritic, it received a score of 67 out of 100 based on evaluations from 24 reviewers.

Reviewers commended the show’s mix of satire, drama, and dark comedic elements. USA Today praised the casting choices, especially noting Brendan Fraser’s acclaimed return as James Fletcher Chace, describing the series as "zippy and fast-paced" with a polished style. TV Guide referred to Fraser’s performance as heralding a "Brenaissance."

On March 16, 2018, Ariadne Getty, sister to John Paul Getty III, threatened legal proceedings against FX and the producers, accusing them of delivering a "wildly sensationalized false portrayal" and defamation by suggesting family involvement in the kidnapping.

Simon Beaufoy responded by defending his depiction of Getty’s complicity as grounded in his research, particularly interpreting subtleties from Charles Fox's biography Uncommon Youth, proposing that Getty might have orchestrated his own abduction. Beaufoy speculated that when Getty’s grandfather declined to pay ransom, more violent criminals took control of the situation.

See also

• All the Money in the World, a 2017 crime drama film directed by Ridley Scott recounting the kidnapping story, featuring Michelle Williams as Gail Harris, Christopher Plummer as J. Paul Getty, and Mark Wahlberg as Fletcher Chace.