Our take
Based on true events, the series follows the lives of Gypsy Rose Blanchard her mother Dee Dee, whose relationship is pushed to the brink when it’s discovered that Dee Dee has been faking Gypsy’s illnesses. The strange case that gained publicity following a viral 2016 BuzzFeed story and a 2017 HBO documentary works well as an absorbing, well-paced drama. Each episode is visually interesting, offering compelling imagery with a palpable tension. Haunting and spectacularly acted by both Patricia Arquette and Joey King, The Act is a highly-recommended television series, perfect for drama and true crime fans.
What it won
Golden Globes
1 win · 2 noms
SAG Awards
1 nom
The story
Gypsy Blanchard struggles to deal with the toxic relationship with her overprotective mother, but her attempts to free herself lead to murder.
Elsewhere
"The character will be remembered as an icon of our era of grift, alongside the antiheroes of Fyre Fraud, The Inventor: Out for Blood in Silicon Valley, and The Apprentice."
— Troy Patterson
"In large part, the success of The Act so far comes down to one person: Joey King."
— Sean T. Collins
The details
The Staircase
Antonio Campos
A Friend of the Family
Mary Ann Broberg & Nick Antosca
Dr. Death
Ashley Michel Hoban & Patrick Macmanus
Goliath
David E. Kelley & Jonathan Shapiro
Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist
Shaye Ogbonna
The Good Mothers
Stephen Butchard
The Lincoln Lawyer
David E. Kelley
Poacher
Richie Mehta
Who picked it
Sonia Botsarova is a film and culture writer who explores the intersections between cinema and geography in her work on A Reel Trip and Medium. Her writing focuses on world cinema, with particular interest in the cinemas of Central Asia and underrepresented regions.
