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| Pose (TV series) | |
|---|---|
| Show name | Pose |
| Caption | Promotional poster |
| Genre | Drama |
| Creator | Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, Steven Canals |
| Composer | James S. Levine |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Num episodes | 30 |
| Executive producer | Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, Steven Canals, Nina Jacobson, Brad Simpson |
| Location | New York City |
| Runtime | 50–65 minutes |
| Company | 20th Television, FX Productions |
| Network | FX |
| Original release | June 3, 2018 – June 6, 2021 |
Pose (TV series) is an American drama television series created by Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, and Steven Canals that premiered on FX in 2018. The series centers on the juxtaposition of several segments of life and society in New York City: the ball culture world, the rise of the luxury Trump-era universe, and the downtown social and literary scene. Pose is noted for its large cast of LGBTQ+ actors, particularly transgender performers, and its depiction of the AIDS crisis.
The series follows the interactions between characters involved in the New York City ball culture of the 1980s and 1990s, exploring themes of identity, family, ambition, and survival. Storylines interweave the lives of members of competing houses, their participation in voguing and balls, and intersect with narratives set in Manhattan's high-end fashion world, the art scenes of SoHo, and the activists and health care responses during the AIDS epidemic. The show frames personal struggles alongside public events and institutions such as the House of LaBeija, Studio 54, the Stonewall legacy, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and advocacy groups addressing public health crises.
Pose features ensemble performances by actors from diverse backgrounds. Principal cast includes veterans and breakout stars drawn from theater, television, and film scenes: Blanca Evangelista's matriarch is portrayed by an actor from Off-Broadway and Broadway circuits and linked to figures like Lin-Manuel Miranda, Patti LuPone, and Angela Lansbury through theatrical networks; Elektra Abundance's role recalls the lineage of performers who worked with Francois Ozon, Pedro Almodóvar, and Pedro Almodóvar alumni; Blanca's children connect to dancers influenced by icons such as Madonna, Janet Jackson, and Michael Jackson. Supporting roles depict professionals in fashion houses resembling Calvin Klein, Yves Saint Laurent, and Donna Karan, as well as healthcare workers associated with hospitals comparable to Bellevue Hospital and St. Vincent's Hospital. Guest spots and recurring characters reference activists, journalists, and celebrities from the period including Keith Haring, Robert Mapplethorpe, Andy Warhol, and fashion editors from Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, and Interview.
The series was created by a team with credits across television and film, including projects like Glee, American Horror Story, Nip/Tuck, and The Normal Heart. Production companies involved include 20th Television and FX Productions, with showrunners and producers whose careers intersect with studios such as Fox, HBO, and Netflix. Filming took place on location in New York City boroughs and sound stages used for series like Law & Order, Gossip Girl, and Boardwalk Empire. Costume design and choreography drew upon influences from designers and institutions such as Thierry Mugler, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Patricia Field, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and the New York City Ballet. Music supervision referenced catalogs and artists like Madonna, Grace Jones, Sylvester, and clubs tied to the Studio 54 legacy. The creative team consulted historians, activists, and organizations including ACT UP, Gay Men's Health Crisis, and Lambda Legal for authenticity.
The series spans three seasons and thirty episodes, with season arcs corresponding to changing moments in late 20th-century America. Storylines parallel events and entities such as the Reagan administration, the emergence of ACT UP demonstrations, the fashion week circuit in Bryant Park, the AIDS Memorial Quilt displays at the National Mall, and legal battles reminiscent of cases heard at the Supreme Court and the New York Court of Appeals. Episodes were helmed by directors and writers who also worked on projects like American Horror Story, The Assassination of Gianni Versace, Pose’s own pilot, and acclaimed films showcased at the Sundance Film Festival and Cannes Film Festival.
The show received critical acclaim and awards recognition from institutions including the Primetime Emmy Awards, the Golden Globe Awards, the Screen Actors Guild Awards, and the Peabody Awards. Critics compared its cultural resonance to landmark series such as The Sopranos, Mad Men, and Sex and the City, and to films and documentaries about New York City nightlife like Paris Is Burning and Paris Is Burning alumni. Reviewers in publications such as The New York Times, The Guardian, Variety, and The Hollywood Reporter praised performances and representation while trade organizations and advocacy groups highlighted its impact on casting practices and Emmy campaigning. Ratings and streaming metrics placed it among FX's notable successes alongside Fargo, Better Things, and Atlanta.
Pose had an influence on representation in television and film, accelerating opportunities for transgender actors in mainstream media and prompting casting shifts at studios including Warner Bros., Disney, and Universal Pictures. The series intersected with broader cultural conversations involving celebrities and institutions such as RuPaul, Laverne Cox, Janet Mock, Jeffrey Tambor, and organizations like GLAAD and Outfest. Its portrayal of ball culture reintroduced mainstream audiences to voguing and houses such as the House of Xtravaganza, House of LaBeija, and House of Ninja, inspiring references in music videos by Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, and Madonna, and in runway presentations at Paris Fashion Week and New York Fashion Week. Educational programs, museum exhibitions at the Museum of Modern Art and the Brooklyn Museum, and scholarly work at Columbia University, New York University, and Yale University examined its depiction of sexuality, race, and public health. Pose's legacy includes shifts in awards recognition, changes in casting conversations at major networks, and a lasting presence in LGBTQ+ archives and cultural festivals.
Category:2010s American television series Category:2020s American television series Category:English-language television programs