Series synopsis
The Deuce is an American drama crime television series that premiered on HBO on September 10, 2017. It ended on October 28, 2019. It was created by David Simon, George Pelecanos. It stars James Franco, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Chris Bauer and Chris Coy.
The story of the legalization and subsequent rise of the porn industry in New York’s Times Square from the early ’70s through the mid ’80s, exploring the rough-and-tumble world that existed there until the rise of HIV, the violence of the cocaine epidemic and the renewed real estate market ended the bawdy turbulence of the area.
Premise
The story of the legalization and subsequent rise of the porn industry in New York’s Times Square from the early ’70s through the mid ’80s, exploring the rough-and-tumble world that existed there until the rise of HIV, the violence of the cocaine epidemic and the renewed real estate market ended the bawdy turbulence of the area.
Premise: Once upon a time in America, pleasure became a business.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- James Franco as Vincent Martino / Frankie Martino
- Maggie Gyllenhaal as Eileen 'Candy' Merrell
- Chris Bauer as Bobby Dwyer
- Chris Coy as Paul Hendrickson
- Lawrence Gilliard Jr. as Chris Alston
- Luke Kirby as Gene Goldman
- Margarita Levieva as Abigail 'Abby' Parker
- Emily Meade as Lori Madison
Supporting cast
- Natalie Paul as Sandra Washington
- Michael Rispoli as Rudy Pipilo
- Stephen Gevedon as Bernie Wolf
- Kayla Foster as Barbara
- Sepideh Moafi as Loretta
- Daniel Sauli as Tommy Longo
- David Krumholtz as Harvey Wasserman
- Olivia Luccardi as Melissa
- Dominique Fishback as Donna 'Darlene' Pickett
- Gbenga Akinnagbe as Larry Brown
- Gary Carr as C.C.
- Method Man as Rodney
Guest cast
- Jacqueline Honulik as Claudette
- Matthew James Ballinger as Gentle Ritchie
- Shaun O'Hagan as Lieutenant Gerald Sweeney
- Tamzin Brown as Terese
- Tariq Trotter as Reggie Love
- Amber Skye Noyes as Ellen
- Finn Robbins as Adam
- Michael Wren Gucciardo as Officer Jeanty
- Brian McCarthy as Greg
- Will Chase as Jack
- James Saito as Kim
- David Aaron Baker as James Schuster
Episodes
This series spans 3 seasons with 25 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 8 | September 10, 2017 | October 29, 2017 |
| Season 2 | 9 | September 9, 2018 | November 4, 2018 |
| Season 3 | 8 | September 9, 2019 | October 28, 2019 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Pilot Twin brothers Vincent and Frankie Martino navigate their way through the rough-and-tumble world of 1971 Times Square. Vincent crosses paths with other midtown denizens while plotting to improve his situation. Abby gets enlisted to buy amphetamines. |
September 10, 2017 |
| 2 |
Show and Prove Vincent moves into a seedy hotel and contemplates an offer from mob capo Rudy Pipilo. Bobby hopes to take advantage of Vincent's new connections. Filmmaking intrigues Candy. C.C. shows Lori the benefits of having a pimp. Larry feels unsettled. |
September 17, 2017 |
| 3 |
The Principle Is All The appearance of an unexpected partner surprises Vincent. Rudy buys into a rival's plan to reconfigure the Deuce. Candy considers entering the filmmaking business. Abby languishes in her new job. Darlene works overtime to compensate Larry. |
September 24, 2017 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Our Raison d'Etre Times Square, 1977. Vincent is now proprietor of a new mob-backed disco, while his girlfriend Abby has brought the nascent punk-rock culture into the Hi-Hat. Vincent's twin brother Frankie remains a problem, "borrowing" money from the sex emporium he manages to pay off his debts. Meanwhile, Candy looks to make more artful, ambitious adult films. |
September 9, 2018 |
| 2 |
There's an Art to This Confronted with the changing realities of prostitution and porn, C.C. doubles down on his assets while fellow pimp Larry Brown eyes a new opportunity. Candy turns to Genevieve Furie, a onetime porn director who's graduated to slasher films, for filmmaking advice. Paul is approached by Matty the Horse, a rival of Rudy's, who promises Paul the mob protection he deserves. |
September 16, 2018 |
| 3 |
Seven-Fifty Lori envisions a sunny future in LA after attending the AFAA Erotica Awards with Harvey and Candy, who's looking to connect with west-coast producers willing to turn her fairy tale into reality. Paul and Kenneth approach Vincent about a loan for a new nightclub, free from mob ties. Goldman visits Alston's precinct to share the mayor's vision for cleaning up the Deuce. |
September 23, 2018 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The Camera Loves You On the eve of 1985, a worn-out Vincent reconnects with his ex-wife, Andrea, as his open relationship with Abby grows more distant. Despite becoming a family man, Frankie continues his risky side hustles. With the newly dominant VHS format shaking up their industry, Candy and Harvey travel to Las Vegas for an adult film convention. Now a bartender at the Hi-Hat, Loretta becomes an active member of Women Against Pornography. |
September 9, 2019 |
| 2 |
Morta di Fame Frankie takes his amateur porn business to the next level and ends up in a confrontation with Rudy, who pushes Vincent to up his profits. Candy brainstorms a new film based on the experiences of her fellow sex workers and finds that her new beau Hank is not shaken by her past. Abby and Loretta take care of Shay when she shows up to the Hi-Hat in bad shape. |
September 16, 2019 |
| 3 |
Normal Is a Lie Abby befriends a graffiti artist named Pilar and takes a surprising trip downtown. Candy sets a firm line with Hank when it comes to money. Todd re-examines his priorities and asks for Paul's support. Melissa is forced to face her past. |
September 23, 2019 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | HBO |
|---|---|
| First aired | September 10, 2017 |
| Last aired | October 28, 2019 |
| Status | ended |
| Schedule | Monday at 21:00:00 |