Meet The Characters
Behind every character in the narrative lies a poignant story of hardship and determination to 'make it in the big time'...
Jack Castello
Jack Castello (David Corenswet) is a World War II veteran who hopes to become a Hollywood movie star. With his classical good looks, he hopes that he will one day be given his shot by Ace Studios; a fictionalised Hollywood studio based off an amalgamation of major production companies such as
Universal Pictures and
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.
Image Source: /Refinery29
Raymond Ainsley
Raymond Ainsley (Darren Criss), a half-Filipino aspiring film director, wants to push the boundaries when it comes to the 'norm' for cinema.
He is also the boyfriend of Camille Washington, a black woman who dreams of being a movie star.
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Camille Washington
Camille Washington (Laura Harrier) is a beautiful black woman who aspires to become a Hollywood actress. However, she struggles to land the roles she truly desires due to the prejudice against the colour of her skin.
The series aims to show the progressive nature of what would happen had Hollywood casted a person of colour in the leading role of a movie, something completely unheard of at the time.
Camille is cast as the leading lady of the movie 'Peg' (that is later changed to 'Meg'), Ace Pictures fights to push the Golden Age of Cinema - and the world - forward.
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Archie Coleman
Archie Coleman (Jeremy Pope), a black gay screenwriter, writes and sends Ace Pictures the script 'Peg', an adapted story about a real life woman named Peg Entwistle who took her own life by jumping off the Hollywood sign.
Living in a racist society filled with prejudice means that Archie, like Camille Washington, is not given the opportunity to enter the spotlight in spite of his talent.
Not only does Archie face racism but he also has to hide his sexuality from the world as a gay man. Whilst working on 'Peg' that later becomes 'Meg', he begins a secret relationship with white aspiring actor Rock Hudson.
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Roy Fitzgerald A.K.A. Rock Hudson
Roy Fitzgerald (Jake Picking), a bumbling unknown actor, gets his foot in the Hollywood door after he is signed by agent Henry Willson.
Roy, a closeted homosexual man, finds himself subjected to sexual coercion by Henry in exchange for acting opportunities and favours.
Rebranded with the stage name 'Rock Hudson', Roy begins secretly dating Archie Coleman after the pair meet at the gas station, where Archie is employed as a sex worker.
The character is based on real-life actor Rock Hudson.
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Ernie West
Ernie West (Dylan McDermott), the suave service station manager and pimp to a group of male sex workers, disguises his business as a gas station. He recruits a number of ‘good-looking’ aspiring actors and filmmakers who will stop at nothing to make it in the film industry.
An aspiring actor himself, Ernie long ago gave up on his dream. Later, however, he seizes the opportunity to showcase his true talents.
Ernie West is based on real life Hollywood pimp Scotty Bowers.
Image Source: /Rolling Stone
Dick Samuels
Studio executive Richard 'Dick' Samuels (Joe Mantello), who is also a closeted gay man, is the driving force behind 'Meg'.
He helps to manage and fund the project through Ace Pictures.
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Ellen Kincaid
Ellen (Holland Taylor) is a studio executive for Ace Studios who works closely beside Dick Samuels. At one point, she declares her romantic feelings for him.
Alongside Dick, the pair work together to push for the production of
'Meg'. They are an unstoppable force, in spite of the backlash.
Image Source: /Refinery29
Avis Amberg
Avis Amberg (Patti LuPone) is the wife of the head of Ace Studios. The matriarch takes charge of Ace Studios when her husband suffers a heart attack and succumbs to a coma.
Avis is finally given the opportunity to be an executive and not just a housewife. She helps the team to create the production of 'Meg', becoming the only woman at the time to take charge of a company.
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Claire Wood
Blonde, beautiful and thin, Claire Wood (Samara Weaving) is the epitome of the Golden Age leading lady...but not in this story!
Claire is the spoiled daughter of Ace Studios executives Ace and Avis Amberg. Unfortunately for her, her privileged upbringing doesn't give her the boost she was hoping for.
Still, she dreams of the spotlight.
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Henry Willson
Henry Willson (Jim Parsons), the slimy agent of Rock Hudson, acts as a sexual predator in the series. He manages to redeem himself
marginally at the end when he proposes to create a romantic movie about two men.
The character is based on real life gay talent Agent Henry Willson, whose clients included Rock Hudson and Tab Hunter.
He was responsible for advancing many prominent male stars of the Golden Age era with the 1950s ‘beefcake’ craze. The agent cashed in on the good looks of his clients. He also had sexual relations with some of them.
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