Los Angeles, CA – The FX series, “Feud: Capote vs. The Swans,” takes a bold approach in exploring the tumultuous life of Truman Capote. The show delves into his strained relationship with his socialite friends after he published a thinly veiled exposé on their personal lives. Rather than adopting a slow burn narrative, “Feud” weaves multiple timelines together, showcasing Capote’s downward spiral as he faces the consequences of his betrayal.
In the second episode, Tom Hollander’s portrayal of Capote descends into a drunken breakdown, alienating the few individuals still standing by his side, including his partner, John O’Shea (Russell Tovey). The episode features two intense scenes where O’Shea physically assaults Capote, one of which takes place during a Thanksgiving dinner, witnessed by Capote’s longtime friend, Joanne Carson (Molly Ringwald).
Hollander describes these scenes as “horrifying” and praises Tovey for his powerful and terrifying performance. Filming them several months apart posed a unique challenge, with an eight-month gap between the apartment and dinner table assaults, despite their consecutive placement in the episode.
Approaching the role, Hollander took inspiration from Philip Seymour Hoffman’s portrayal of Capote in the 2005 film. He sought to explore new territory and make the character his own in the “fantasia” of “Feud.” The series offers a tonally distinct perspective from the film, granting Hollander the freedom to embody Capote’s spirit and energy rather than aiming for a perfect impression.
Hollander acknowledges that Capote becomes a mythical figure in this story, given the ever-shifting dramatic tones of the series. He finds the tonal diversity of each episode allows him to shape Capote as a mythic presence.
“Feud: Capote vs. The Swans” is currently available for streaming on Hulu, with new episodes airing on FX on Tuesdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT. The series paints a captivating portrait of Truman Capote and his complicated relationships with the high-society women he wrote about.