When it comes to American politics and Hollywood history, Ryan Murphy has proved he's an obsessive. Together with FX, Murphy has brought high profile scandals to the small screen be it the O.J Simpson trial or Bill Clinton's impeachment, and his latest series Feud is no different. While its first season covered the famous dispute between Joan Crawford and Bette Davis while shooting 1962 film What Happened to Baby Jane, the next eight-episode season is a gossip-mongers wet dream. It will focus on Truman Capote, his "swans" and the act of betrayal that caused Capote to be ousted by New York high society. More importantly, it will star Chloë Sevigny. Below, everything we know about Capote's Women so far.
What's the plot of Capote's Women?
In recent years the story around Truman Capote and the circle of socialites he was enmeshed with has hit the mainstream. It's mostly thanks to books like Kelleigh Greenberg-Jephcott's Swan Song and more recently Laurence Leamer's Capote's Women: A True Story of Love, Betrayal, and a Swan Song for an Era, from which the series gets its title.
For those who aren't familiar with this salacious historical tidbit, the author used to hang out with a group of rich and glamorous women, which comprised of Lee Radziwill – Jackie Kennedy's younger and more stylish sister – Barbara "Babe" Paley, Slim Hayward, Gloria Guinness, Pamela Churchill and C.Z Guest, whom he called his "swans". However, in 1975 Capote published a short story La Côte Basque 1965 in Esquire which was meant as a taster of Answered Prayers, the book he was then working on. The thing is, the short story was based off of the lives of the women who considered him a close friend and confidant, its pages revealing their deepest secrets (murder, adultery) for all to read. The fallout was swift, and the women, along with the rest of high society, cut Capote off for his act of betrayal. His reputation and social standing was never the same.
Who has been cast in the series?
Tom Hollander, or as he's known in my head Mr. Collins, has signed onto the series as Capote. Meanwhile, Naomi Watts will take on the role of Babe Paley and Chloë Sevigny is bringing fashion icon, socialite and actress, C.Z Guest to life.
Is there a release date?
Hold up! They've barely pinned down the cast, let alone a release date. More to come.
