Equal (TV series)

Equal is an American docuseries produced by Scout Productions, Berlanti Productions, Raintree Ventures, That's Wonderful Productions, and Warner Horizon Unscripted Television. The four-part series chronicles landmark events and leaders in LGBTQ history, and consists of a mixture of archival footage and scripted reenactments. Equal stars several actors including Samira Wiley, Jamie Clayton, and Anthony Rapp. The series premiered on HBO Max on October 22, 2020.[1][2][3][4]

Equal
GenreDocuseries
Directed by
Starring
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producers
Producers
  • Diane Becker
  • Melanie Miller
Running time60 minutes
Production companies
  • Warner Horizon Unscripted Television
  • Scout Productions
  • Berlanti Productions
  • Raintree Ventures
  • That's Wonderful Productions
DistributorHBO Max
Release
Original networkHBO Max
Original releaseOctober 22, 2020 (2020-10-22)
External links
Website

Plot

"Episode 1 explores the rise of the Mattachine Society and the Daughters of Bilitis; Episode 2 focuses on the 20th-century transgender movement, including the 1966 Compton Cafeteria riots; Episode 3 highlights contributions from the Black community to the growing LGBTQ civil rights movement; and Episode 4 tackles the Stonewall Riots and the beginning of the Pride movement."[3]

Cast and characters

Episode 1[6]

Episode 2[6]

Episode 3[6]

Episode 4[6]

Production

Development

On October 16, 2019 it was announced that HBO Max had commissioned an LGBTQ+ historical docuseries consisting of four hour-long episodes from Warner Horizon Unscripted Television.[7] It is the first production from the company's documentary series unit.[4]

The show's executive producers are David Collins, Michael Williams, Rob Eric, and Joel Chiodi (Scout Productions); Greg Berlanti and Sarah Schechter (Berlanti Productions); Jim Parsons and Todd Spiewak (That’s Wonderful Productions); Jon Jashni (Raintree Ventures); and Mike Darnell and Brooke Karzen (Warner Horizon Unscripted Television).[7] Diane Becker and Melanie Miller are also producers.[6]

The series premiered on October 22, 2020, in observance of LGBT History Month.[2][3]

Crew

Equal's showrunner is Stephen Kijak, who also directs episodes one, three and four.[1] Kimberly Reed directs episode two.[1]

Casting

On August 25, 2020 the casting of Samira Wiley, Cheyenne Jackson, Anthony Rapp, Sara Gilbert, Alexandra Grey, Shannon Purser, Heather Matarazzo, Jamie Clayton, Isis King, and Gale Harold was announced.[1]

Reception

The show received positive critical reception. It holds a 83% on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes.[8] Inkoo Kang wrote for The Hollywood Reporter, "In celebrating a movement whose foremothers and forefathers’ names have yet to enter the common lexicon, Equal is a valuable if glossy resource."[5]

References
  1. Petski, Denise (2020-08-25). "'Equal': Samira Wiley, Anthony Rapp, Cheyenne Jackson Among Cast For HBO Max's LGBTQ+ Docuseries". Deadline. Retrieved 2020-09-01.
  2. "See LGBTQ+ Icons Reincarnated In HBO Max's New Series 'Equal'". www.out.com. 2020-08-25. Retrieved 2020-09-01.
  3. Rudolph, Christopher. "Out Celebs Transform Into Queer Pioneers for HBO Max's "Equal"". www.newnownext.com. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
  4. Petski, Denise; Andreeva, Nellie (2019-10-16). "HBO Max Picks Up LGBTQ+ Docuseries 'Equal' From Greg Berlanti, Jim Parsons & New Warner Horizon Docu Unit". Deadline. Retrieved 2020-09-01.
  5. Kang, Inkoo. "'Equal': TV Review". THR. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  6. Gilchrist, Tracy E. (2020-08-24). "See Cheyenne Jackson, Samira Wiley as LGBTQ+ Icons in HBO Max's EQUAL". www.advocate.com. Retrieved 2020-09-01.
  7. Otterson, Joe (2019-10-16). "HBO Max Orders LGBTQ Movement Docuseries From Scout Productions, Jim Parsons, Greg Berlanti". Variety. Retrieved 2020-09-01.
  8. "Season 1 Equal Critics". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
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