Producer Ryan Murphy, best known for such shows as American Crime Story, Glee, and American Horror Story, will soon have another series to add to his resume. According to The Hollywood Reporter, FX has decided to order eight episodes of Murphy’s latest project, Pose.
Pose will be a drama focused on 1980s New York society, covering subjects like Trump’s luxury real estate, Manhattan’s downtown social scene, and the unique world of ball culture. Evan Peters and Kate Mara are set to star as a couple from New Jersey drawn to New York life while James Van Der Beek will play a man imbedded in Manhattan’s financial scene.
Tatiana Maslany was initially attached as the lead. But in an unusual move, producers recast the role and reimagined the main character as an African American woman in the middle of production. Charlayne Woodard, known for her roles on HBO’s The Leftovers and ER, has taken over as Pose’s lead.
In a statement addressing FX’s choice to move forward with the series, Murphey said, “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.”
Murphey also stressed his show’s potential to set a new precedent in writing and portraying progressive roles for television. “I’m so proud that Pose and FX has made history right from the beginning by featuring the most trans series regular actors ever in an American television production,” Murphey added. “Additionally, the first season of Pose will feature 50-plus LGBTQ characters — a record in American television history. I can’t wait for people to see this incredibly talented, passionate cast.”
Pose will begin production in February and is currently slated for a debut during the summer of 2018.