The Act (TV series) explained

Composer:Jeff Russo
Country:United States
Language:English
Num Seasons:1
Num Episodes:8
Producer:Jan Peter Meyboom
Runtime:48–60 minutes
Network:Hulu

The Act is an American biographical crime drama television limited series that premiered in eight parts on March 20, 2019, on Hulu. The plot is based on the life of Gypsy Rose Blanchard and the murder of her mother, Dee Dee Blanchard, who was accused of abusing her daughter by fabricating illness and disabilities as a direct consequence of Munchausen syndrome by proxy.[1] Joey King portrayed Gypsy, while Patricia Arquette played her mother, Dee Dee Blanchard. AnnaSophia Robb, Chloë Sevigny, and Calum Worthy star in supporting roles.

At the 71st Primetime Emmy Awards, Arquette won for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series and King received a nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series.

Premise

The series follows the story of Gypsy Blanchard (Joey King), who uses a wheelchair due to an illness. Growing up, her relationship with her overprotective mother (Patricia Arquette) begins to sour as she increasingly insists on her independence. She rebels as her mother, who dedicated her life to her care, grows more protective, controlling and abusive, particularly amid her attempt to explore her sexuality.

The relationship turns even more toxic as Gypsy discovers many secrets. She grew up believing she was sick with cancer but discovers that she was not sick at all.[2] Her mother Dee Dee successfully deceived not only Gypsy but also her family, friends, and medical professionals into believing her child was ill.[3] It is suggested that she suffers from factitious disorder imposed on another, a behavioral condition in which a caregiver exaggerates or fakes another person's illness. At the time, this condition was classified as Munchausen syndrome by proxy, by which it is still commonly known. The narrative eventually leads to murder after Gypsy asks her boyfriend to kill her mother.[4]

Cast and characters

Main

Recurring

Guest

Production

Development

On July 21, 2017, Hulu confirmed it had put the production into development. The potential series was expected to be written by Michelle Dean and Nick Antosca based on Dean's BuzzFeed article "Dee Dee Wanted Her Daughter To Be Sick, Gypsy Wanted Her Mom To Be Murdered". Writ Large, who acquired the screen rights to the article in 2016, was set to produce. Production companies involved with the series included Universal Cable Productions.[8]

On May 18, 2018, it was reported that Hulu had given the production a series order. It was further announced that Dean and Antosca would serve as co-showrunners and executive produce alongside Greg Shephard and Britton Rizzio.[9] [10] On August 1, 2018, it was announced that Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre would direct the series' first episode.[11] On December 20, 2018, it was announced that the series would premiere on March 20, 2019.[12] On March 11, 2019, Jeff Russo was announced to be the show's composer.[13]

Casting

In September 2018, it was announced that Patricia Arquette, Joey King, Chloë Sevigny, and AnnaSophia Robb had been cast in starring roles.[14] [15] [16] On October 2, 2018, it was reported that Calum Worthy had joined the cast in a starring role.[17]

In April 2019, Kristy Blanchard, stepmother of Gypsy Blanchard, stated that she was unhappy with how Aleah Woodmansee was portrayed in the show. While Woodmansee's name isn't mentioned, Robb's character Lacey originates from her. Blanchard stated that there was a scene in the second episode where Lacey gave Gypsy a cigarette, which in reality, did not happen. In an interview with Vulture, Blanchard stated: "She is the total opposite of that. It hurts Aleah because she lives in Springfield, and people are going to look at her differently and she's scared that it affects her job and reputation."[6] Woodmansee also took issue with the choice to have Robb speak in a twangy accent, adding, "I'm not a fan of the whole hillbilly tone."[7]

Filming

Principal photography for the series took place from October 2018 to February 2019 in Effingham County, Georgia.[18]

Multiple scenes were filmed at the Savannah Mall and in Episode 8 scenes were filmed at the Bryan County Courthouse.

Controversy

On April 4, 2019, Gypsy Blanchard stated that she would be taking legal action towards The Act and Dean, its creator. While Blanchard was not able to watch the show in prison, she stated: "I feel it is very unfair and unprofessional that producers and co-producer Michelle Dean has used my actual name and story without my consent, and the life rights to do so."[19] Screenwriter Franchesca Macelli told Vulture regarding Gypsy's statement "it was from her own place of anger and disappointment and frustration" and that "nobody is taking legal action". Macelli stated that they will be looking into the legal rights for their actions, either cancelling the show or making its storyline right.[6] [19]

Kristy Blanchard, Gypsy's stepmother, accused Dean of breaking a promise to share the financial proceeds from the show with Gypsy, saying: "We were on a phone conversation, and she had told me that whatever she made, it didn't matter what it was, she was gonna send us 50 percent of what she made and she was gonna keep 50 percent."[19]

Reception

Critical response

The series received highly positive reviews from critics. On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the series has an approval rating of 88% based on 49 reviews, with an average rating of 7.4/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "Disturbingly nuanced performances from Patricia Arquette and Joey King make The Act a convincing case for the ongoing dramatization of true crime stories."[20] On Metacritic, it has a weighted average score of 73 out of 100 based on 17 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[21]

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryNominee(s)ResultRef.
Hollywood Critics Association Midseason AwardsBest Streaming Movie or TV Series
International Online Cinema AwardsBest Actress in a Limited Series or TV MovieJoey King
Online Film & Television Association AwardsBest Limited Series[22]
Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture or Limited SeriesPatricia Arquette
Primetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or MovieJoey King[23]
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or a MoviePatricia Arquette
Satellite AwardsBest Miniseries & Limited Series[24]
Best Actress in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for TelevisionJoey King
Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for TelevisionPatricia Arquette
World Soundtrack AwardsTelevision Composer of the YearJeff Russo[25]
Artios AwardsOutstanding Achievement in Casting – Limited SeriesSharon Bialy, Sherry Thomas,
Lisa Mae Fincannon, Craig Fincannon,
and Kimberly Wistedt		[26]
Critics' Choice Television AwardsBest Actress in a Movie Made for Television or Limited SeriesJoey King[27]
Best Supporting Actress in a Movie Made for Television or Limited SeriesPatricia Arquette
Golden Globe AwardsBest Actress – Limited Series or Television FilmJoey King[28]
Best Supporting Actress – Series, Limited Series or Television FilmPatricia Arquette
Prémios Fantastic AwardsBest International Series or Mini-Series in Streaming
The ReFrame StampTop 100 Most Popular Television (2018–2019)[29]
Screen Actors Guild AwardsOutstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Miniseries or Television MovieJoey King[30]
Patricia Arquette

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The Trailer for Hulu's Gypsy Blanchard Series The Act Will Leave You Shook . . Chris . Harnick . March 7, 2019 . March 4, 2019.
  2. Web site: 'The Act': Hulu's New True Crime Drama Is Based on a Shocking Real-Life Story . Elliott . Megan . February 17, 2019 . The Cheat Sheet . en-US. April 8, 2019.
  3. Web site: Patricia Arquette's Kids Didn't Want Her to Star in Hulu's True Crime Story The Act . March 22, 2019 . TV Guide . Keisha . Hatchett. April 11, 2019.
  4. Web site: 'The Act' Team on Diving Into the Psychology of Gypsy Rose Blanchard 'Coming of Age' . Turchiano . Danielle . March 13, 2019 . Variety . en. April 8, 2019.
  5. News: Actress Joey King shaves her head ... again for role as Gypsy Rose Blanchard . ABC 36 News . May 2, 2019 . October 9, 2018.
  6. Web site: Jones . Alexis . What Gypsy Rose Blanchard's Stepmom Says Hulu's "The Act" Got Wrong . Marie Claire . April 5, 2019 . April 4, 2019.
  7. Web site: Herzog . Kenny . How The Act's Actors Compare to Their Real-Life Counterparts . Vulture . May 3, 2019 . May 3, 2019.
  8. Web site: Petski . Denise . True-Crime Anthology Series From Nick Antosca & Michelle Dean In Works At Hulu . Deadline Hollywood . May 18, 2018 . July 21, 2017.
  9. Web site: Petski . Denise . Hulu Orders 'The Act' True-Crime Anthology Series From Nick Antosca & Michelle Dean . . May 18, 2018 . May 18, 2018.
  10. Web site: Goldberg . Lesley . True Crime Anthology Series 'The Act' Set at Hulu . . May 18, 2018 . May 18, 2018.
  11. Web site: Holloway . Daniel . Universal Cable Productions Sets Four Female Pilot Directors (EXCLUSIVE) . . September 5, 2018 . August 1, 2018.
  12. Schwartz . Dana . Patricia Arquette is an obsessed mother in true-crime anthology 'The Act': First look . . December 21, 2018 . December 20, 2018.
  13. Web site: Jeff Russo Scoring Hulu's 'The Act' . Film Music Reporter . March 11, 2019 . March 12, 2019.
  14. Web site: Andreeva . Nellie . Patricia Arquette To Star In Hulu True-Crime Anthology Series 'The Act' . Deadline Hollywood . September 5, 2018 . September 5, 2018.
  15. Web site: Andreeva . Nellie . 'The Act': Joey King To Star In Hulu True-Crime Anthology Series . Deadline Hollywood . September 6, 2018 . September 6, 2018.
  16. Web site: Andreeva . Nellie . Petski . Denise . 'The Act': Chloë Sevigny & AnnaSophia Robb To Star In Hulu True-Crime Series . Deadline Hollywood . September 12, 2018 . September 12, 2018.
  17. Web site: Pedersen . Erik . 'The Act': Calum Worthy To Star In Hulu's True-Crime Anthology Series . Deadline Hollywood . October 2, 2018 . October 2, 2018.
  18. Web site: Rigsby . G.G. . Filming of Hulu true crime series may prompt ordinance . . December 2, 2018 . November 27, 2018.
  19. Web site: Jones . Alexis . Did Gypsy Rose Blanchard Make Money From 'The Act'? . Marie Claire . April 5, 2019 . April 4, 2019.
  20. Web site: The Act . Rotten Tomatoes . July 16, 2020.
  21. Web site: The Act . Metacritic . April 18, 2019.
  22. Web site: 23rd Annual TV Awards (2018-19) . Online Film & Television Association . May 15, 2021.
  23. Web site: The Act . Emmys.com . . July 16, 2019.
  24. Web site: 2019 Satellite Awards . . . November 28, 2018.
  25. Web site: World Soundtrack Awards . . December 18, 2021.
  26. Web site: 2020 Artios Awards . January 30, 2020 . www.castingsociety.com . en . August 4, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200804143206/https://www.castingsociety.com/awards/artios/2020 . live.
  27. Web site: Critics' Choice Awards 2020: Fleabag, Watchmen, When They See Us, Unbelievable Among TV Nominees . TVLine . December 8, 2019 . December 8, 2019.
  28. Web site: The Act – Golden Globes . . July 5, 2021 . .
  29. Web site: ReFrame Announces that the ReFrame Stamp for Gender-Balanced Scripted Series is Being Awarded to 21 of the Top 100 Most Popular TV and Streaming Shows from 2018-2019. 2020-01-14. www.businesswire.com. en. 2020-03-14.
  30. Web site: The 26th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards . . December 12, 2018 . January 28, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190128091623/https://www.sagawards.org/nominees/nominees-and-recipients/26th-annual-screen-actors-guild-awards . live .

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