In a surprise to absolutely no one, FX has orderedRyan Murphy’s new pilotPoseto series. The dance musical series was hatched by Murphy,Brad Falchuk, andSteven Canalsand features the largest cast of transgender actors in series regular roles, and the largest recurring LGBTQ cast, ever for a scripted series. The story takes place in 1980s New York and juxtaposes several segments of life and society, from the rise of the luxury Trump-era universe to the downtown social and literary scene to the ball culture world.
FX has ordered eight episodes of the series, the first two of which will be directed by Murphy. In a statement on the series pickup, Murphy had this to say:
“I am thrilled to join forces with John Landgraf and FX Networks and FXP and Dana Walden, Gary Newman and Fox 21 Television Studios to present what I think is a game changer of a show, which at its heart is an uplifting series about the universal quest for identity, family and respect. Along with being a dance musical and an affirming look at American life in the 1980s, I’m so proud thatPoseand FX has made history right from the beginning by featuring the most trans series regular actors ever in an American television production. Additionally, the first seasonPosewill feature 50-plus LGBTQ characters – a record in American television history. I can’t wait for people to see this incredibly talented, passionate cast.”
Murphy, Falchuk, and Canals serve as executive producers alongside Murphy’sAmerican Crime StorypartnersNina JacobsonandBrad Simpson. Murphy and Co. conducted a six-month nationwide casting search to find the LGBTQ cast, and in conjunction with Murphy’s Half Initiative, the series will be bringing on emerging transgender directors to be mentored through his Directing Mentorship Program.
Filming is set to begin in February in New York and the first season ofPosewill premiere on FX in the summer of 2018. Additional cast includesEvan PetersandKate Maraas New Jersey couple Stan and Patty, who get sucked into the glamour and intrigue of 1980s NYC, whileJames Van Der Beekwill play Peters’ financial kingpin boss Matt. So yeah,Posecontains multitudes.
This marks Murphy’s fifth collaboration with FX, which began with his soapy drama seriesNip/Tuckin 2003 and has continued withAmerican Crime Story,American Horror Story, andFeud, the latter three of which are still going strong.Poseshows that FX has no plans to back out of the Ryan Murphy business anytime soon.
Check out the first official image from the series, featuring actressIndya Mooreas “Angel” competing in the 1987 ballroom category Royalty Realness below.
