The Act

The Act is a true crime drama television series that premiered on Hulu in 2019, starring Patricia Arquette as Dee Dee Blanchard and Joey King as Gypsy Rose Blanchard. The series is based on the real-life story of the Blanchard family, which was also featured in the HBO documentary Mommy Dead and Dearest. The show explores the complex and disturbing relationship between Dee Dee Blanchard and her daughter Gypsy Rose Blanchard, who was subjected to Munchausen syndrome by proxy by her mother. The series also features AnnaSophia Robb as Lacey, a friend of Gypsy Rose Blanchard, and Chloë Sevigny as Mel, a neighbor of the Blanchard family who becomes suspicious of Dee Dee Blanchard's actions.

Introduction

The Act is a television series that premiered on Hulu in 2019, created by Nick Antosca and Michelle Dean. The series is based on the real-life story of the Blanchard family, which was also featured in the HBO documentary Mommy Dead and Dearest, directed by Erin Lee Carr. The show explores the complex and disturbing relationship between Dee Dee Blanchard and her daughter Gypsy Rose Blanchard, who was subjected to Munchausen syndrome by proxy by her mother, similar to cases reported by Dr. Marc Feldman and studied by Dr. Roy Meadow. The series also draws inspiration from other notable cases, such as the Casey Anthony trial and the Jodi Arias trial, which were highly publicized by CNN and Fox News.

Plot

The Act follows the story of Dee Dee Blanchard and her daughter Gypsy Rose Blanchard, who claim that Gypsy Rose Blanchard suffers from a range of serious health problems, including leukemia and muscular dystrophy. However, as the series progresses, it becomes clear that Dee Dee Blanchard is fabricating her daughter's illnesses in order to gain attention and sympathy for herself, a phenomenon also observed in cases studied by Dr. Kathryn Harrison and Dr. Richard Asher. The show also explores the complex and disturbing relationship between Dee Dee Blanchard and her daughter, who is subjected to physical and emotional abuse by her mother, similar to cases reported by UNICEF and The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. As Gypsy Rose Blanchard grows older, she begins to rebel against her mother's control, inspired by stories of Elizabeth Smart and Jaycee Dugard, who also suffered from similar abuse.

Production

The Act was created by Nick Antosca and Michelle Dean, who also served as executive producers on the show, alongside Alex Goldstone and Gregory Jacobs. The series was produced by Universal Content Productions and Hulu Originals, in association with Studio 8 and Welle Entertainment. The show was filmed on location in Georgia and California, with Arri Alexa cameras and Panavision lenses, similar to the equipment used in the production of The Handmaid's Tale and The Looming Tower. The series features a range of notable guest stars, including Denise Crosby as Shannon, a friend of Dee Dee Blanchard, and Joe Tippett as Scott, a love interest for Gypsy Rose Blanchard, who also appeared in The Blacklist and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.

Reception

The Act received widespread critical acclaim upon its release, with many praising the performances of Patricia Arquette and Joey King. The series holds a Rotten Tomatoes score of 88%, based on reviews from The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Variety. The show was also praised by Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly, and The Hollywood Reporter, who noted its thought-provoking and disturbing portrayal of the Blanchard family's story, similar to the reception of The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst and The Staircase. The series was also nominated for several awards, including Emmy Awards and Golden Globe Awards, alongside other notable shows like Game of Thrones and The Crown.

Cast

The Act features a talented ensemble cast, including Patricia Arquette as Dee Dee Blanchard, Joey King as Gypsy Rose Blanchard, and AnnaSophia Robb as Lacey. The series also features Chloë Sevigny as Mel, a neighbor of the Blanchard family who becomes suspicious of Dee Dee Blanchard's actions, similar to the characters played by Laura Linney in Ozark and Regina King in Watchmen. The show also includes notable guest stars, such as Denise Crosby as Shannon, a friend of Dee Dee Blanchard, and Joe Tippett as Scott, a love interest for Gypsy Rose Blanchard, who also appeared in The Blacklist and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. Other notable cast members include Calum Worthy as Nick Godejohn, a boyfriend of Gypsy Rose Blanchard, and Macey Chipping as Victoria Godejohn, Nick Godejohn's mother, who also appeared in The Good Doctor and Grey's Anatomy.

Category:Television series