Feud: Capote vs. The Swans explained

Season Number:2
Bgcolour:
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Network:FX
Num Episodes:8
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Feud: Capote vs. The Swans is the second season of the American anthology television series Feud created by Ryan Murphy, Jaffe Cohen, and Michael Zam for FX. Directed by Gus Van Sant, Max Winkler, and Jennifer Lynch, it is written by Jon Robin Baitz. The eight-episode season is based on the book Capote's Women: A True Story of Love, Betrayal, and a Swan Song for an Era written by Laurence Leamer.[1] Its first two episodes premiered on January 31, 2024, with episodes available on Hulu the day after broadcast on FX.[2]

Premise

Acclaimed writer Truman Capote ruins his friendships with the Swans, a socialite group of New York City high society, by writing a thinly veiled fictionalized account of their scandalous and hedonistic lives in his (ultimately unfinished) novel, Answered Prayers. When Esquire publishes the chapter "La Côte Basque 1965", after the restaurant of the same name frequented by the Swans and Capote himself,[3] [4] several vow to ruin his life in revenge.[5] [6]

Cast

Main

Recurring

Guest

Episodes

Production

Development

FX renewed the Feud series for a second season in February 2017, with Ryan Murphy and Jon Robin Baitz attached as writers, with an initial focus on the relationship between Charles, Prince of Wales and Diana, Princess of Wales.[7]

By April 2022, the focus had shifted onto Truman Capote and his tempestuous relationship with New York high society with Gus Van Sant on board to direct and Naomi Watts attached to star.[8]

Baitz adapted the bestselling book Capote's Women by Laurence Leamer for the series. Executive producers on the series include Murphy, Alexis Martin Woodall, Baitz, Van Sant, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Watts, Eric Kovtun, and Scott Robertson.[9]

It was the last project of Treat Williams before his death in 2023.[10]

Casting

In August 2022, Tom Hollander was cast as Truman Capote with the cast also including Diane Lane and Calista Flockhart.[11] In September 2022, Demi Moore joined the cast.[12]

Filming

Filming began in New York in the autumn of 2022.[13]

Release

The first two episodes of the season premiered on January 31, 2024, with episodes available on Hulu the following day.[14] Internationally, the series will be available on Disney+ through Star and on Star+ in Latin America.[15]

Reception

Streaming viewership

Feud: Capote vs. The Swans debuted at No. 1 on Hulu on its first full day of release. JustWatch, a guide to streaming content with access to data from more than 20 million users around the world, estimated that the show was the sixth most-streamed series in the U.S. for the week of February 5–11.[16] The streaming aggregator Reelgood, which monitors real-time data from 5 million users in the U.S. for original and acquired streaming programs and movies across subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) and ad-supported video-on-demand (AVOD) services, calculated that the series was the eighth most-streamed television show in the U.S. during the week of February 4. It climbed to the third most-streamed show the following week, before moving to the ninth spot by February 21.

Critical response

On Rotten Tomatoes, Feud: Capote vs. The Swans holds an approval rating of 77% based on 64 reviews. The website's critics consensus reads, "While this Feud might lack the abundance of incident that made its predecessor such a nasty delight, Capote vs. the Swans' luxe milieu and dynamite ensemble will keep spectators entertained."[17] On Metacritic, the season has a weighted average score of 68 out of 100, based on 33 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.[18]

David Bianculli of NPR praised the season, concluding that Capote vs. the Swans merits attention for its quality. Bianculli described it as a strong drama with a compelling story and a powerhouse cast, noting that the actors deliver particularly powerful performances in this installment of Feud.[19] Alison Herman of Variety commended the show's portrayal of the "complex, enduring, often co-dependent bond between straight women and gay men." Herman described the series as a sincere and moving exploration of this dynamic, a rarity treated with empathy and depth. Herman noted that this unique focus helps make the show's flaws more forgivable, viewing them as part of its ambitious storytelling.[20] Benjamin Lee of The Guardian awarded Capote vs. the Swans four out of five stars and praised it for its thoughtful approach, crediting the shift away from Charles and Diana. Lee commended the performances of Tom Hollander, Naomi Watts, and Chloë Sevigny, as well as the show's exploration of the emotional toll on high society figures. While the expected cattiness is present, Lee found the series more focused on the poignant relationships between Capote and his female friends. Despite some minor flaws in pacing, Lee concluded that the second season surpasses the first by emphasizing melancholy over meanness.[21] Carol Midgley of The Sunday Times awarded Capote vs. the Swans four out of five stars and found it to be a visually stunning and sharply written series that, while too long at nearly eight hours, is elevated by Tom Hollander's mesmerizing portrayal of Truman Capote. Hollander's performance, marked by his convincing physical transformation and voice work, captures Capote's descent into alcoholism, drug abuse, and self-destruction. Midgley also praised Naomi Watts as Babe Paley, highlighting the cast's strong performances. Though the series explores rich people's self-obsession, Midgley found that Hollander's nuanced portrayal brings depth and pathos to Capote’s tragic decline.[22] Emma Fraser of IGN rated Capote vs. The Swans eight out of ten, praising the actors' performances, particularly that of Hollander. Fraser also complimented the show's costumes and production design, describing it as a "delicious cautionary tale of writing.[23]

Jackson McHenry of Vulture noted that Capote vs. the Swans offers plenty of surface-level details about Capote, highlighting his public persona, but struggles to delve into his creative inner life. McHenry observed that while the show delivers on the cattiness, glamour, and intriguing facts—such as Capote serving spaghetti and chicken hash with champagne—it falls short in providing deeper insight into why Capote's social circle was so groundbreaking or how 1960s society was evolving during that time.[24] Melanie McFarland of Salon observed that the female characters in Baitz's script lacked depth, noting that the writing focuses heavily on one layer of the women's interiority, primarily portraying their vindictiveness, prejudice, or selfishness, without suggesting deeper dimensions. She also critiqued comparisons made by FX and the show to The Real Housewives franchise, arguing that this comparison undermines the cast's efforts. McFarland pointed out that while Bravo's housewives may appear as shallow as Capote’s socialites, Andy Cohen excels at turning problematic personalities into captivating spectacles. In contrast, Baitz and the cast overwork the characters, making them appear rigid rather than allowing them the flexibility to be authentically wicked.[25]

Accolades

!Year!Award!Category!Nominee(s)!Result!Ref.
2024Dorian TV AwardsCampiest TV ShowFeud: Capote vs. The Swans[26] [27]
Best TV Movie or Limited Series
Best TV Performance - DramaTom Hollander
Location Managers Guild AwardsOutstanding Locations in a TV Serial Program, Anthology, MOW, or Limited SeriesFeud: Capote vs. The Swans[28] [29]
Primetime Creative Arts Emmy AwardsOutstanding Original Main Title Theme Music[30] [31]
Outstanding Period or Fantasy/Sci-Fi Hairstyling
Outstanding Casting for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie
Outstanding Period Or Fantasy/Sci-Fi Makeup (Non-Prosthetic)
Outstanding Period Costumes for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie[32] [33]
Primetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Directing for a Limited or Anthology Series or MovieGus Van Sant[34] [35]
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or MovieTom Hollander
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or MovieNaomi Watts
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or MovieTreat Williams
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or MovieDiane Lane
Hollywood Music in Media AwardsOriginal Score – TV Show/Limited SeriesJulia Newman[36]
Artios AwardsOutstanding Achievement in Casting – Limited SeriesAlexa L. Fogel, Kathryn Zamora-Benson[37]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Gallucci . Nicole . January 31, 2024 . When Does 'FEUD: Capote Vs. The Swans' Premiere on FX and Hulu? How To Watch Episodes 1 And 2 Decider . 2024-02-09 . . en-US . February 3, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240203061135/https://decider.com/2024/01/31/when-does-feud-capote-vs-swans-air-fx-hulu-how-to-watch-feud-season-2-episode-1-and-2-premiere-date/ . live .
  2. Web site: Sherlock . Ben . January 31, 2024 . When Feud: Capote Vs. The Swan's Finale Releases & How Many Episodes There Are . 2024-02-09 . . en.
  3. Web site: Taylor . Elise . 2024-02-01 . Inside La Côte Basque, the Ultimate See-and-Be-Seen Restaurant for New York City's Ladies Who Lunched . 2024-02-06 . . en-US . February 3, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240203221108/https://www.vogue.com/article/inside-la-cote-basque-the-ultimate-see-and-seen-restaurant-for-new-york-citys-ladies-who-lunched . live .
  4. Web site: Nash . David . 2024-01-27 . 'Feud: Capote vs. The Swans' Is Basically a Walking Tour of a Forgotten New York . 2024-02-06 . . en-US . February 3, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240203221108/https://www.elledecor.com/life-culture/a46445674/feud-capote-vs-swans-cast-locations/ . live .
  5. Web site: Petski . Denise . December 5, 2023 . Feud: Capote vs. The Swans' Gets FX Premiere Date; Details of Second Installment of Ryan Murphy's Anthology Series . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231206150531/https://deadline.com/2023/12/feud-capote-vs-the-swans-fx-premiere-date-ryan-murphy-anthology-series-1235652584/ . December 6, 2023 . December 7, 2023 . Deadline Hollywood.
  6. News: Mangan . Lucy . Feud: Capote vs the Swans review – the starriest TV show in living memory forgets to be fun . 18 April 2024 . The Guardian . 17 April 2024.
  7. Web site: Patten . Dominic . February 28, 2017 . 'Feud' Gets Season 2 Order Ahead Of FX Series Premiere; Charles & Diana In Spotlight . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190327102228/https://deadline.com/2017/02/feud-season-2-charles-and-diana-fx-ryan-murphy-jon-robin-baitz-1202026567/ . March 27, 2019 . December 7, 2023 . Deadline Hollywood.
  8. Web site: Anderson . Nellie . April 1, 2022 . Naomi Watts To Star In 'Capote's Women' Season 2 Of FX Series Written By Jon Robin Baitz & Directed By Gus Van Sant . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220401161622/https://deadline.com/2022/04/feud-naomi-watts-star-capotes-women-season-2-fx-series-jon-robin-baitz-gus-van-sant-1234992069/ . April 1, 2022 . December 7, 2023 . Deadline Hollywood.
  9. Web site: London . Rob . December 6, 2023 . 'Feud: Capote vs. The Swans' Sets January Premiere Date . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240125175354/https://collider.com/feud-capote-vs-the-swans-release-date/ . January 25, 2024 . December 7, 2023 . Collider.
  10. Web site: Rosenbloom . Alli . January 3, 2024 . 'Feud' trailer glimpses the late Treat Williams in his final role . 2024-02-09 . . en . January 5, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240105121445/https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/03/entertainment/feud-treat-williams-final-role/index.html . live .
  11. Web site: Otterson . Joe . August 17, 2022 . 'Feud' Season 2 at FX Casts Tom Hollander as Truman Capote, Adds Calista Flockhart and Diane Lane (Exclusive) . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240125175342/https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/feud-season-2-fx-cast-tom-hollander-calista-flockhart-diane-lane-1235343751/ . January 25, 2024 . December 7, 2023 . Variety.
  12. Web site: Otterson . Joe . September 16, 2022 . Demi Moore Joins 'Feud' Season 2 at FX (Exclusive) . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220920220827/https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/demi-moore-feud-season-2-fx-1235375133/#recipient_hashed=543290449ab748aea2ae096779206179989658c01d22c5f1ea4df3debc27917a . September 20, 2022 . December 7, 2023 . Variety.
  13. Web site: Seth . Radhika . October 12, 2023 . See The Jaw-Dropping First Stills Of Naomi Watts, Chloë Sevigny And Demi Moore In Feud: Capote vs The Swans . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231207180422/https://www.vogue.co.uk/arts-and-lifestyle/article/feud-season-2-capotes-women . December 7, 2023 . December 7, 2023 . Vogue.
  14. Web site: Buff . Christina . January 31, 2024 . How to watch 'Feud: Capote vs. the Swans' with or without cable . 2024-02-09 . . en . February 7, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240207092732/https://mashable.com/article/how-to-watch-feud-capote-vs-the-swans . live .
  15. Web site: Cobb . Kayla . December 5, 2023 . Capote vs. the Swans', Starring Tom Hollander and Naomi Watts, to Premiere in January . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231206150514/https://www.thewrap.com/feud-capote-vs-the-swans-fx-premiere-date/ . December 6, 2023 . December 7, 2023 . TheWrap.
  16. Web site: Gruenwedel . Erik . February 12, 2024 . JustWatch: Oscar-Nominated 'Past Lives,' 'Mr. & Mrs. Smith' Topped Weekly Streaming Through Feb. 11 . 2024-02-19 . . en-US.
  17. Web site: Feud: Capote vs. The Swans (2024) . March 28, 2024 . . February 3, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240203183245/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/feud/s02 . live .
  18. Web site: Feud: Season 2 . February 4, 2024 . . February 4, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240204013223/https://www.metacritic.com/tv/feud/season-2/ . live .
  19. Web site: Bianculli . David . David Bianculli . January 30, 2024 . 'Feud: Capote vs. the Swans' review: A compelling story with a powerhouse cast . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240131033120/https://www.npr.org/2024/01/30/1227854692/feud-truman-capote-vs-the-swans-review . January 31, 2024 . January 31, 2024 . NPR.
  20. Web site: Herman . Alison . January 31, 2024 . Naomi Watts and Chloë Sevigny Lead a Glamorous Flock in the Surprisingly Sad 'Feud: Capote vs. The Swans': TV Review . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240212232931/https://variety.com/2024/tv/tv-reviews/feud-capote-vs-the-swans-review-1235876809/ . February 12, 2024 . February 14, 2024 . Variety.
  21. News: Lee . Benjamin . February 1, 2024 . Feud: Capote vs the Swans review – starry New York catfight stings with sadness . 2024-09-15 . . en-GB . 0261-3077.
  22. Web site: Midgley . Carol . April 17, 2024 . Feud: Capote vs the Swans review — Tom Hollander's portrayal is mesmeric . 2024-09-15 . . en.
  23. Web site: Fraser . Emma . January 31, 2024 . Feud: Capote vs. the Swans Review . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240210101921/https://www.ign.com/articles/feud-capote-vs-the-swans-review . February 10, 2024 . 2024-02-09 . . en.
  24. Web site: McHenry . Jackson . February 1, 2024 . Feud Sees Capote in Black and White . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240209025425/https://www.vulture.com/article/feud-capote-vs-the-swans-review-fx.html . February 9, 2024 . February 14, 2024 . Vulture.
  25. Web site: McFarland . Melanie . January 31, 2024 . "Feud: Capote vs. The Swans" makes us miss Ryan Murphy's facility for writing difficult women . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240214072247/https://www.salon.com/2024/01/31/feud-capote-vs-the-swans-makes-us-miss-ryan-murphys-facility-for-writing-difficult-women/ . February 14, 2024 . February 14, 2024 . Salon.
  26. Web site: Cobb . Kayla . August 12, 2024 . 'Hacks,' 'Interview With the Vampire' and 'Fellow Travelers' Win Big at 2024 Dorian TV Awards . 2024-09-15 . . en-US.
  27. Web site: King . John Paul . July 6, 2024 . LGBTQ critics announce Dorian Award nominations for best of TV . 2024-09-15 . . en-US.
  28. Web site: Pedersen . Erik . July 1, 2024 . Location Managers Guild Awards Nominations Scout 'Baby Reindeer', 'Bridgerton', 'Dune: Part Two' & More . 2024-09-15 . . en-US.
  29. Web site: Pond . Steve . July 1, 2024 . 'Ripley,' 'Baby Reindeer,' 'Fallout' Nominated for Location Managers Guild Awards . 2024-09-15 . . en-US.
  30. Web site: Tangcay . Jazz . Giardina . Carolyn . September 8, 2024 . 2024 Creative Arts Emmys Night 2: 'Shōgun' Dominates With 14 Wins . 2024-09-15 . . en-US.
  31. Web site: Murphy . Eve Batey,Chris . September 8, 2024 . Creative Arts Emmys 2024: See the Winners Here . 2024-09-15 . . en-US.
  32. Web site: Zhan . Jennifer . Gularte . Alejandra . Squires . Bethy . September 10, 2024 . All the Winners (and EGOTs) of the Creative Arts Emmys . 2024-09-15 . . en.
  33. Coleman . Ryan . Sederholm . Jillian . September 8, 2024 . See all the winners from 2024 Creative Arts Emmys: 'Shōgun,' 'The Bear,' 'SNL,' more . 2024-09-15 . . en.
  34. Web site: Henderson . Eric . July 17, 2024 . Here are the full 2024 Emmy nominations, with "Shogun," "The Bear" leading the pack - CBS News . 2024-09-15 . . en-US.
  35. Web site: McNab . Kaitlyn . September 15, 2024 . Emmy Nominations 2024: Ayo Edebiri, Selena Gomez, and More . 2024-09-15 . . en-US.
  36. Web site: Willman. Chris. Hollywood Music in Media Awards Noms Led by 'Emilia Pérez' and 'Blitz,' With Elton John, Hans Zimmer and Scores More Among the Nominees. Hollywood Music in Media Awards. November 6, 2024. November 6, 2024.
  37. Web site: Artios Awards Nominees Revealed: Netflix Leads With 17 Nominations, HBO/Max With 6. Deadline. Lynette. Rice. November 1, 2024. November 2, 2024.

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