The Act is an American true crime drama limited series that premiered in eight parts on March 20, 2019, on Hulu. The plot is based on the life of Gypsy Rose Blanchard and the murder of her mother, Dee Dee Blanchard, who was accused of abusing her daughter by fabricating illness and disabilities as a direct consequence of Munchausen syndrome by proxy. Joey King portrayed Gypsy, while Patricia Arquette played her mother, Dee Dee Blanchard. AnnaSophia Robb, Chloë Sevigny, and Calum Worthy star in supporting roles.
At the 71st Primetime Emmy Awards, Arquette won for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series and King received a nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series.
Premise
The series follows the story of Gypsy Blanchard (Joey King), who uses a wheelchair due to an illness. Growing up, her relationship with her overprotective mother (Patricia Arquette) begins to sour as she increasingly insists on her independence. She rebels as her mother, who dedicated her life to her care, grows more protective, controlling and abusive, particularly amid her attempt to explore her sexuality.
The relationship turns even more toxic as Gypsy discovers many secrets. She grew up believing she was sick with cancer but discovers that she was not sick at all. Her mother Dee Dee successfully deceived not only Gypsy but also her family, friends, and medical professionals into believing her child was ill. It is suggested that she suffers from factitious disorder imposed on another, a mental illness in which a caregiver exaggerates or fakes another person's illness. At the time, this disorder was classified as Munchausen syndrome by proxy, by which it is still commonly known. The narrative eventually leads to murder after Gypsy asks her boyfriend to kill her mother.
Cast and characters
Main
Patricia Arquette as Dee Dee Blanchard, Gypsy's mother and Emma's daughter
Joey King as Gypsy Blanchard, Dee Dee's daughter and Emma's granddaughter. King shaved her head for the role. AnnaSophia Robb as Lacey Hutches, an original character in the show based on Aleah Woodmansee. Chloë Sevigny as Mel Hutches, Lacey's mother who is an original character in the show based on Amy Pinegar. Calum Worthy as Nick Godejohn, Gypsy's boyfriend who murders Dee Dee under Gypsy's order so they can be together.
Recurring
Denitra Isler as Shelly, a neighbor who is close to the Blanchards, Mel, and Lacey. Steve Coulter as Dr. Evan Harley José Alfredo Fernandez as Officer Cox Poorna Jagannathan as Dr. Lakshmi Chandra
Guest
Dean Norris as Russ, a man who was attracted to Dee Dee in 2011. Joe Tippett as Scott, Gypsy's older love interest whom she met at a comic book convention in 2011. Brooke Smith as Myra, Dee Dee's attorney Margo Martindale as Emma Blanchard, Dee Dee's mother and Gypsy's grandmother Rhea Seehorn as Janet, Dee Dee's cousin Juliette Lewis as Kathy Godejohn, Nick's mother John Ales as Vance Godejohn, Nick's father Adam Arkin as a Springfield, Missouri detective who tracks down Gypsy and Nick in Wisconsin and interviews Gypsy after her arrest. Joe Knezevich as Prosecutor Rippy, Nick's lawyer based on Dan Patterson. Molly Ephraim as Kate, Gypsy's lawyer based on Mike Stanfield. Cliff Chamberlain as Rod Blanchard, Dee Dee's ex-husband and Gypsy's father. He left Dee Dee before Gypsy was born after he didn't know how to love her, as Rod was 17 while Dee Dee was 24.
Episodes
Production
Development
On July 21, 2017, Hulu confirmed it had put the production into development. The potential series was expected to be written by Michelle Dean and Nick Antosca based on Dean's BuzzFeed article "Dee Dee Wanted Her Daughter To Be Sick, Gypsy Wanted Her Mom To Be Murdered". Writ Large, who acquired the screen rights to the article in 2016, was set to produce. Production companies involved with the series included Universal Cable Productions.
On May 18, 2018, it was reported that Hulu had given the production a series order. It was further announced that Dean and Antosca would serve as co-showrunners and executive produce alongside Greg Shephard and Britton Rizzio. On August 1, 2018, it was announced that Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre would direct the series' first episode. On December 20, 2018, it was announced that the series would premiere on March 20, 2019. On March 11, 2019, Jeff Russo was announced to be the show's composer.
Casting
In September 2018, it was announced that Patricia Arquette, Joey King, Chloë Sevigny, and AnnaSophia Robb had been cast in starring roles. On October 2, 2018, it was reported that Calum Worthy had joined the cast in a starring role.