Finding LGBTQ actors to cast in the new history docuseries “The Book of Queer” wasn’t that difficult.
No, producers didn’t ask the actors about their sexuality.
“If you’re casting for a show called ‘Book of Queer,’ and you’re saying in the audition process, ‘Is there any particular reason you want to be on this show?,’ they’re going to tell us,” series creator Eric Cervini tells me. “Of course, we weren’t discriminating, but it was kind of self-selecting.’”
The five-episode “Book of Queer,” which premieres Thursday on Discovery+, features multiple stories about queer history and queer individuals, including Greek poet Sappho, Alexander the Great, King James, Joan of Arc, Akhenaten, Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Alan Turning, Josephine Baker, Stormé DeLarverie, Sylvia Rivera, Eleanor Roosevelt, Gilbert Baker, Harvey Milk, Marsha P. Johnson, Ma Rainey and Bayard Rustin.
The list of guest stars includes Dominique Jackson, Alex Newell,...
No, producers didn’t ask the actors about their sexuality.
“If you’re casting for a show called ‘Book of Queer,’ and you’re saying in the audition process, ‘Is there any particular reason you want to be on this show?,’ they’re going to tell us,” series creator Eric Cervini tells me. “Of course, we weren’t discriminating, but it was kind of self-selecting.’”
The five-episode “Book of Queer,” which premieres Thursday on Discovery+, features multiple stories about queer history and queer individuals, including Greek poet Sappho, Alexander the Great, King James, Joan of Arc, Akhenaten, Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Alan Turning, Josephine Baker, Stormé DeLarverie, Sylvia Rivera, Eleanor Roosevelt, Gilbert Baker, Harvey Milk, Marsha P. Johnson, Ma Rainey and Bayard Rustin.
The list of guest stars includes Dominique Jackson, Alex Newell,...
- 6/2/2022
- by Marc Malkin
- Variety Film + TV
Amazon Studios and Brad Pitt’s Plan B Entertainment are developing a limited series based on “The Deviant’s War: The Homosexual vs. The United States of America,” historian Eric Cervini’s New York Times bestseller. The book tells the story of Frank Kameny, a Department of Defense astronomer in the 1950s who became a leading figure in the fight for LGBTQ civil rights when he sued the federal government after being fired because he was gay.
Tony-winning playwright Matthew López (“The Inheritance”) is set to adapt, Variety has exclusively learned. “When I first read Eric’s book, I knew I wanted to adapt it for television. And when I first met Eric, I knew I had found the right creative partner to help me bring it to life,” López says. “So much of American queer history is told from a post-Stonewall perspective, but Eric’s book provides...
Tony-winning playwright Matthew López (“The Inheritance”) is set to adapt, Variety has exclusively learned. “When I first read Eric’s book, I knew I wanted to adapt it for television. And when I first met Eric, I knew I had found the right creative partner to help me bring it to life,” López says. “So much of American queer history is told from a post-Stonewall perspective, but Eric’s book provides...
- 5/31/2022
- by Marc Malkin
- Variety Film + TV
The 35th edition of the BFI Flare: London Lgbtiq+ Film Festival will take place online with films available U.K.-wide via the BFI Player.
The 2020 physical edition of the festival was dramatically canceled at the last minute due to the rapid onset of coronavirus and forced to go online. A year down the line, the pandemic is still very much around, and cinemas are unlikely to open before May 17, necessitating another digital edition.
The 2021 edition will include 26 features and 38 free shorts from 23 countries. There isn’t an opening or closing film this year and all films will be available March 17-28, the duration of the festival.
BFI Flare is divided into three thematic strands: Hearts, Bodies and Minds. Highlights include Phil Connell’s “Jump, Darling,” a family drama about a drag queen reconnecting with his ageing grandmother, featuring the late Hollywood legend Cloris Leachman in her final starring role; Peeter Rebane’s “Firebird,...
The 2020 physical edition of the festival was dramatically canceled at the last minute due to the rapid onset of coronavirus and forced to go online. A year down the line, the pandemic is still very much around, and cinemas are unlikely to open before May 17, necessitating another digital edition.
The 2021 edition will include 26 features and 38 free shorts from 23 countries. There isn’t an opening or closing film this year and all films will be available March 17-28, the duration of the festival.
BFI Flare is divided into three thematic strands: Hearts, Bodies and Minds. Highlights include Phil Connell’s “Jump, Darling,” a family drama about a drag queen reconnecting with his ageing grandmother, featuring the late Hollywood legend Cloris Leachman in her final starring role; Peeter Rebane’s “Firebird,...
- 2/23/2021
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
“Pose” co-creator Steven Canals has set up a drama project for development at ABC.
The show is currently titled “In the End.” Incapable of living life to the fullest, Kiona Brown makes the only logical choice – to embrace death as an end-of-life doula. With an eclectic list of patients – including cancer survivor Mariana Cortez – Kiona soon discovers the secret to a new beginning is to embrace what happens in the end.
Canals will serve as writer and executive producer on the project via Story Ave. Productions. 20th Television, where Canals is currently under an overall deal, will serve as the studio.
Canals is credited as co-creator on FX’s “Pose” along with Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk. The show’s first season was nominated for seven Emmy Awards in 2019, including one for best drama series. Series star Billy Porter took home the statuette for best actor in a drama series,...
The show is currently titled “In the End.” Incapable of living life to the fullest, Kiona Brown makes the only logical choice – to embrace death as an end-of-life doula. With an eclectic list of patients – including cancer survivor Mariana Cortez – Kiona soon discovers the secret to a new beginning is to embrace what happens in the end.
Canals will serve as writer and executive producer on the project via Story Ave. Productions. 20th Television, where Canals is currently under an overall deal, will serve as the studio.
Canals is credited as co-creator on FX’s “Pose” along with Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk. The show’s first season was nominated for seven Emmy Awards in 2019, including one for best drama series. Series star Billy Porter took home the statuette for best actor in a drama series,...
- 9/10/2020
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Several new students are enrolling at the Elite school: Season 4 of Netflix’s Spanish teen drama will welcome new cast members Andrés Velencoso, Manu Rios, Carla Díaz, Martina Cariddi, Pol Granch and Diego Martín.
The newbies will be “part of the universe of Las Encinas, one way or the other,” the official release teases. “Their characters will cross paths with Guzmán, Samuel, Ander, Omar, Rebeca and Cayetana.” Check out a fresh cast photo above.
More from TVLineElite Renewed for Season 4 at Netflix -- Which Cast Members May Not Be Back?TVLine's Performer of the Week: Sterling K. BrownQuotes of the Week: Grey's Anatomy,...
The newbies will be “part of the universe of Las Encinas, one way or the other,” the official release teases. “Their characters will cross paths with Guzmán, Samuel, Ander, Omar, Rebeca and Cayetana.” Check out a fresh cast photo above.
More from TVLineElite Renewed for Season 4 at Netflix -- Which Cast Members May Not Be Back?TVLine's Performer of the Week: Sterling K. BrownQuotes of the Week: Grey's Anatomy,...
- 7/20/2020
- by Vlada Gelman
- TVLine.com
“Pose” co-creator Steven Canals has a new limited series in the works at FX.
Titled “81 Words,” the series tells the true story of gay activists Frank Kameny and Barbara Gittings, who risked their career reputations to conspire with the Gaypa – a clandestine group of closeted psychiatrists – to challenge the American Psychiatric Association’s definition of homosexuality. Until 1974, the medical establishment considered gay people sexually deviant and diagnosed them as mentally ill.
The show is based on Alix Spiegel’s “This American Life” episode, “81 Words,” as well as the soon-to-be-released PBS documentary “Cured” directed by Bennett Singer and Patrick Sammon.
Canals will write and executive produce the project under his Story Ave. Productions banner, with Elisabeth Seldes and Neri Tannenbaum executive producing via Pal Pictures. SInger, Sammon, and Spiegel will produce. 20th Century Fox Television, where Canals is currently under an overall deal, will serve as the studio.
“Pose” Season 1 was...
Titled “81 Words,” the series tells the true story of gay activists Frank Kameny and Barbara Gittings, who risked their career reputations to conspire with the Gaypa – a clandestine group of closeted psychiatrists – to challenge the American Psychiatric Association’s definition of homosexuality. Until 1974, the medical establishment considered gay people sexually deviant and diagnosed them as mentally ill.
The show is based on Alix Spiegel’s “This American Life” episode, “81 Words,” as well as the soon-to-be-released PBS documentary “Cured” directed by Bennett Singer and Patrick Sammon.
Canals will write and executive produce the project under his Story Ave. Productions banner, with Elisabeth Seldes and Neri Tannenbaum executive producing via Pal Pictures. SInger, Sammon, and Spiegel will produce. 20th Century Fox Television, where Canals is currently under an overall deal, will serve as the studio.
“Pose” Season 1 was...
- 7/20/2020
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
“81 Words,” a new limited series based on Alix Spiegel’s award-winning episode of “This American Life,” is in development at 20th Century Fox for FX.
From “Pose” co-creator Steven Canals, the project will follow the true story of gay activists Frank Kameny and Barbara Gittings, who took the risk of challenging the American Psychiatric Association’s definition of homosexuality in the 1970s.
Here is the show’s logline:
“Until 1974, the medical establishment considered gay people sexually deviant and diagnosed them as mentally ill. 81 Words tells the true story of gay activists Frank Kameny & Barbara Gittings who risked their career & reputation to conspire with the Gaypa – a clandestine group of closeted psychiatrists – and challenge the American Psychiatric Association’s definition of homosexuality.”
Also Read: HBO Max Ballroom Competition Series 'Legendary' Renewed for Season 2
Canals serves as writer and will executive produce via his Story Ave. Productions banner. Elisabeth Seldes and Neri...
From “Pose” co-creator Steven Canals, the project will follow the true story of gay activists Frank Kameny and Barbara Gittings, who took the risk of challenging the American Psychiatric Association’s definition of homosexuality in the 1970s.
Here is the show’s logline:
“Until 1974, the medical establishment considered gay people sexually deviant and diagnosed them as mentally ill. 81 Words tells the true story of gay activists Frank Kameny & Barbara Gittings who risked their career & reputation to conspire with the Gaypa – a clandestine group of closeted psychiatrists – and challenge the American Psychiatric Association’s definition of homosexuality.”
Also Read: HBO Max Ballroom Competition Series 'Legendary' Renewed for Season 2
Canals serves as writer and will executive produce via his Story Ave. Productions banner. Elisabeth Seldes and Neri...
- 7/20/2020
- by Margeaux Sippell
- The Wrap
FX has put in development 81 Words, a limited series about gay rights pioneers Frank Kameny and Barbara Gittings, from Pose co-creator Steven Canals, Pal Pictures and 20th Century Fox TV.
Written by Canals, 81 Words is based on Alix Spiegel’s award-winning This American Life episode, “81 Words” and soon-to-be-released PBS documentary Cured, directed by Bennett Singer & Patrick Sammon.
Until 1974, the medical establishment considered gay people sexually deviant and diagnosed them as mentally ill. 81 Words tells the true story of gay activists Kameny an Gittings who risked their career and reputation to conspire with the Gaypa – a clandestine group of closeted psychiatrists – and challenge the American Psychiatric Association’s definition of homosexuality.
Canals executive produces via his Story Ave. Productions banner with Pal Pictures’ Elisabeth Seldes and Neri Tannenbaum. Spiegel, Singer and Sammon will serve as producers on the project. 20th Century Fox TV is the studio.
Canals is co-creator and executive producer,...
Written by Canals, 81 Words is based on Alix Spiegel’s award-winning This American Life episode, “81 Words” and soon-to-be-released PBS documentary Cured, directed by Bennett Singer & Patrick Sammon.
Until 1974, the medical establishment considered gay people sexually deviant and diagnosed them as mentally ill. 81 Words tells the true story of gay activists Kameny an Gittings who risked their career and reputation to conspire with the Gaypa – a clandestine group of closeted psychiatrists – and challenge the American Psychiatric Association’s definition of homosexuality.
Canals executive produces via his Story Ave. Productions banner with Pal Pictures’ Elisabeth Seldes and Neri Tannenbaum. Spiegel, Singer and Sammon will serve as producers on the project. 20th Century Fox TV is the studio.
Canals is co-creator and executive producer,...
- 7/20/2020
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
As Pride month is in full swing, Josh Howard’s award-winning documentary “The Lavender Scare” premieres nationwide to address a little-known part of Lgbtq history in America. Narrated by Glenn Close and based on David K. Johnson’s book “The Lavender Scare: The Cold War Persecution of Gays and Lesbians in the Federal Government,” the doc reveals how President Dwight D. Eisenhower and Joe McCarthy carried out a systematic witch hunt to root out and remove gay men and lesbians from government and security positions.
Treated with just as much suspicion and unfounded fear as communists targeted in the Red Scare, more than 10,000 queer people were fired or forced to resign as a result of this Lavender Scare. Beyond losing their livelihoods, this had a much longer-lasting and far-reaching effect. As with the Chinese Exclusion Act or the Japanese internment, the executive order against gay and lesbian people amounted to...
Treated with just as much suspicion and unfounded fear as communists targeted in the Red Scare, more than 10,000 queer people were fired or forced to resign as a result of this Lavender Scare. Beyond losing their livelihoods, this had a much longer-lasting and far-reaching effect. As with the Chinese Exclusion Act or the Japanese internment, the executive order against gay and lesbian people amounted to...
- 6/18/2019
- by Hanh Nguyen
- Indiewire
Just in time for the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots comes “The Lavender Scare,” a compact and fairly well-made documentary on the purging of homosexuals from government jobs; it began with an executive order from Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1953 — shortly after he was elected president — and only ended in 1995 when Bill Clinton signed an executive order to reverse it.
This is a movie with a clear hero: Frank Kameny, who was fired from his position as an astronomer in Washington, D.C. in 1957 and made it his mission to fight for the rights of homosexuals. Some of his letters are read by David Hyde Pierce, and we only get to see Kameny himself towards the end of the documentary, which details the lives of others who had been fired before him as well as the gay social life in Washington during the 1930s and 40s before the crackdown in the 1950s.
This is a movie with a clear hero: Frank Kameny, who was fired from his position as an astronomer in Washington, D.C. in 1957 and made it his mission to fight for the rights of homosexuals. Some of his letters are read by David Hyde Pierce, and we only get to see Kameny himself towards the end of the documentary, which details the lives of others who had been fired before him as well as the gay social life in Washington during the 1930s and 40s before the crackdown in the 1950s.
- 6/4/2019
- by Dan Callahan
- The Wrap
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