The highly anticipated Ryan Murphy FX thriller series, “The Beauty,” is set to premiere on January 21 on FX and Hulu, drawing viewers into a shadowy narrative where international supermodels begin to meet violent and mysterious ends. This new series invites audiences to explore a disturbing side of high fashion as a deadly epidemic spreads across the globe.
Launch Details and Episode Rollout
The debut of “The Beauty” will consist of the first three episodes airing on the FX cable network at 9 p.m. ET/PT, simultaneously available on Hulu in the U.S. and Disney+ for international viewers. The 11-episode first season continues with new episodes each Wednesday, with two episodes airing per week during the final two weeks of the season.
An Ensemble Cast and World-Spanning Storyline
Evan Peters and Rebecca Hall lead as FBI agents Cooper Madsen and Jordan Bennett, who are dispatched to Paris to untangle the mystery behind ongoing supermodel deaths. Actor Ashton Kutcher plays The Corporation, a reclusive tech billionaire at the center of the global chaos, while Anthony Ramos portrays The Assassin, tasked with protecting The Corporation’s interests at any cost. Jeremy Pope appears as Jeremy, a bystander pulled into the widening turmoil.
The cast is bolstered by an array of guest stars, including Peter Gallagher, Amelia Gray Hamlin, Ari Graynor, Bella Hadid, Ben Platt, Billy Eichner, Isabella Rossellini, Jessica Alexander, Julie Halston, Lux Pascal, Meghan Trainor, Nicola Peltz Beckham, and Vincent D’Onofrio, each adding further depth to the unfolding drama.
Plot: Investigation Leads to Disturbing Discoveries
According to the official synopsis, the investigation led by Madsen and Bennett uncovers the existence of a sexually transmitted virus, which transforms infected people into physical ideals of beauty—but not without horrifying personal costs. Their work brings them face-to-face with The Corporation, the mastermind behind a drug called “The Beauty,” and his relentless enforcer, triggering a chase that spans cities like Paris, Venice, Rome, and New York. As the situation intensifies, Jeremy, portrayed by Jeremy Pope, becomes entangled in the epidemic’s consequences, searching for meaning in a changing world.
Creative Team and Source Material
“The Beauty” is created and written by Ryan Murphy and Matthew Hodgson, with a team of executive producers including Evan Peters, Anthony Ramos, Eric Kovtun, Scott Robertson, Nissa Diederich, Michael Uppendahl, Alexis Martin Woodall, Eric Gitter, Peter Schwerin, and Jeremy Haun. The show draws its inspiration from the comic book series by Haun and Jason A. Hurley, with Hurley serving as a consultant, and is produced by 20th Television.
Visual Atmosphere and Global Setting
With locations shifting between iconic cities and the characters’ paths intertwining across Paris, Venice, Rome, and New York, “The Beauty” delivers a fast-paced, international thriller. Key characters are visually brought to life by photographers like Philippe Antonello and Eric Liebowitz, capturing figures such as Isabella Rossellini’s Franny Forst, Ashton Kutcher’s shadowy billionaire, and Jeremy Pope’s embattled outsider.
Broader Implications and Anticipated Impact
The Ryan Murphy FX thriller series explores questions about the price of perfection and the lengths people and corporations are willing to go to achieve it. As the epidemic threatens to change humanity’s future and the stakes rise for all involved, the show looks poised to captivate audiences with its mix of suspense, high-concept science fiction, and sociocultural critique. When “The Beauty” premieres January 21, fans of thrillers and Murphy’s signature style will see just how far the race for beauty can go on screen.
