Everyone Is Losing It Over Ryan Murphy's Groundbreaking New Series 'Pose'

6 June 2018, 17:52

By Sam Prance

One episode in and the critically acclaimed Ryan Murphy television drama about New York ball culture is already a hit.

Pose is finally here and it is already making a huge impression on viewers. Created by prolific TV writers Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Steven Cals, the new series is a dance drama that looks set to become one of the hottest shows this summer.

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Set in New York in 1987, Pose explores ball culture and all of the various people involved in it: from the emcees who host it to the trans women and drag queens who star in it and everyone in between. Just one episode in and it is already receiving huge acclaim not just for its brilliant depiction of ball culture but also for the fact that it has incredibly diverse cast.

Not only is Pose led by people of colour but it also stars five trans actors playing trans characters. Dominique Jackson stuns as house mother Elektra Abundance, MJ Rodriquez wows as rival Evangelista house mother Blanca Rodriquez, Indya Moore is a revelation as Angel, a prostitute and member of the House of Evangelista, and Angelica Ross and Hailie Sahar both play House of Abandance members Candy and Lulu Abundance.

This is what #beautiful #Powerful #Women of our experience look like. We all come in different lovely shapes and sizes. But most importantly WE are human just like anyone else. #THANKYOU @timeoutnewyork for seeing that. So proud to be apart of @fxnetworks @poseonfx. Also check out the article when you can! Stomping and Storming throw #NY like... “WE HERE”

A post shared by Mj Rodriguez (@mjrodriguez7) on Jun 2, 2018 at 5:38am PDT

This may not sound like a big deal but considering the fact that trans characters are often played by white cisgender stars (Jefferey Tambour, Felicity Huffman, Eddie Redmayne to name but a few), it's huge. Not only that but trans actors and actresses are rarely given roles regardless of gender so to see so many be lauded and so many of them be women of colour, is major.

We've gathered the best reactions to the series here.

Laverne Cox opened up about how necessary Pose is and trans history on TV.

What a woman. What a series.

RuPaul's Drag Race Season 10 contestant The Vixen wrote about what it means to actually identify with characters on screen.

We stan a legend.

Award-winning blogger Monica Roberts praised the show for not just featuring trans actresses and characters but also hiring trans writers to create authentic trans content.

Best-selling author Janet Mock and Transparent writer Our Lady J have written, produced and directed episodes.

Groundbreaking America's Next Top Model contestant Isis King lauded the series.

We agree.

Popstar extraordinaire Janelle Monáe gave Pose a shoutout on Twitter.

Talent supporting talent.

Music critic Craig Jenkins touched on how dark the series will get as it delves deeper into 80s culture.

In the opening episode it is revealed that Blanca is HIV positive. We're not ready to see how this unfolds.

Circa Pop presenter Ryan Mitchell was moved to tears by the opening episode.

You'll need a pack of tissues ready.

And Keep It! host Ira had the same reaction as all of us.