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This is a cast and character guide for the FX series Pose, featuring who plays who, information about each character, and more.
Please Note: This content contains pertinent spoilers, descriptions are updated as new information is presented, images changed as better ones are captured, and this is not an exhaustive list of every cast member, guest star, or reoccurring role.
Blanca (MJ Rodriguez & Jayden Marine)
First Noted In – Season 1, Episode 1
Brief Description
A former member of the House of Abundance and now founding Mother of House of Evangelista, Blanca is nothing but a maternal figure, and while we wouldn’t say she craves strong connections, she does believe it forward. Especially since, with her having AIDS, she doesn’t know how long she may have to give her children the love and foundation they need.
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Additional Information About Blanca
- S1e1: Works as a nail technician and, like Damon, doesn’t have a good relationship with her family.
- S1E5: Is from the Bronx
- Niece is named Xiomara
- Hasn’t been in her mother’s house since October 30th, 1982
- Her brother Manuel went to rehab twice
- S2E10: Is 30
Notable Episodes
- Season 1, Episode 5: We meet Blanca’s family, including meeting sister Carmen (Flor De Liz Perez), Aunt Alma (Suanna Guzman), brother Manuel (Gil Perez-Abraham) and mother (Glenys Javier).
- Season 1, Episode 6: We see Blanca get the attention of a man, Darius (Charles Brice).
- Season 2, Episode 2: Starts her nail salon
- Season 2, Episode 9: We meet Adrian (Austin Scott), another possible love interest.
- Season 2, Episode 10: We meet her possible next house children Quincy (KJ Aikens) and Chilly (Gia Parr)
Quotes
I been out the game for a minute, but I still know how to play it.
— S1E6
Lies are a form of disrespect.
— S1e7
Damon (Ryan Jamaal Swain)
First Noted In – Season 1, Episode 1
Brief Description
A dancer who, thanks to Blanca’s sheer will, gets into The New School for Dance and has the honor of being Blanca’s first child in the House of Evangelista.
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Additional Information About Damon
- S1e1: Is from Allentown, PA, and is 17 in episode 1.
- Got kicked out of his house due to his parents not supporting his sexuality.
Notable Episodes
- S2E10: Makes a major announcement about the House of Evangelista going international!
Quotes
Angel (Indya Moore)
First Noted In – Season 1, Episode 1
Brief Description
The princess of House of Evangelista who, despite knowing the limitations she faces as a trans woman, only occasionally lets her dreams fall to the waste side. For whether it is finding her prince, or doing more than sex work on the pier, Angel has dreams. It’s just taking longer than she’d like to achieve them.
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Additional Information About Angel
- S1e2: Costs around $125 a night
- S1e3: Knew she was different since she was 6.
- S2E1: Is 22
- S2E10: Is 24
Notable Episodes
Quotes
Stan (Evan Peters)
First Noted In – Season 1, Episode 1
Brief Description
Stan works on Wall Street, has a Trump association, a wife, a kid, and a lust for Angel. One he isn’t necessarily sure if he wants to be open about so; instead, he becomes a sugar daddy of sorts. Despite not being that much older than Angel.
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Additional Information About Stan
- S1e1: Lives in New Jersey.
Notable Episodes
Quotes
Pray Tell (Billy Porter)
First Noted In – Season 1, Episode 1
Brief Description
The emcee of a local ball everyone goes to who is one of Blanca’s best friends and sometimes the shaddiest queen around. However, it is out of love and to prep the children for what the outside world may say and do.
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Additional Information About Pray Tell
- S1e1: Notes they wanted to be a designer, but with that dream not coming to pass, they vicariously live through working at Macy’s.
- S2E6: Stepfather preyed on him since he was 12
- S2E8: Is 45
Notable Episodes
- S1E4: He decides to get AIDS tested
- S1E8: Meets Keenan (Blake Morris)
- S2E8: We meet the council of Emcees which includes Manhattan (André Ward), Jack (Jack Mizrahi), and Castle (J. Cameron Barnett)
Quotes
You know, that’s the burden of having a parent. They haven’t a clue what they’re doing, and every mistake they make chips away at us. As we get older, we got to glue the pieces back together, and we can blame them, but here’s the thing: They’re human. They make mistakes.
— S1e5
Own your choices.
— Manhattan (S2E8)
Ricky (Dyllon Burnside)
https://www.instagram.com/p/B03tCxwlbOv/
First Noted In – Season 1, Episode 2
Brief Description
One of Damon’s first boyfriends who had a reputation before he met Damon. However, he does his best to prove himself, and with being a talented dancer, like Damon, the two form a bond and relationship, which sets a precedent for both.
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Additional Information About Ricky
- Season 2: He decides to get AIDS tested
Notable Episodes
Quotes
Lil Papi (Angel Bismark Curiel)
First Noted In – Season 1, Episode 2
Brief Description
Originally, Lil’ Papi didn’t belong to the House of Evangelista, but after their debut performances, he decided to leave his old house behind for them. This leads to a few growing pains since Blanca wants a rather clean house. Not just in terms of dust, clothes, and what have you, but no drugs. Which, for Lil’ Papi, was a source of income, so that caused some conflict. However, as one of the OGs of the house, Lil’ Papi does find means to stay on Blanca’s good side. Though, as time goes on, it isn’t just Blanca he grows close to.
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Additional Information About Lil Papi
- S1e4: Is bi
- S1e7: Has been on his own since he was 13 and, as of this episode, is 20 years old with an 8th-grade education.
- S2E7: Government name is Esteban.
Notable Episodes
- S2E10: Officially starts a business promoting trans girls in modeling, with Jazmin (Damaris Lewis) and Angel being his first clients.
Quotes
Matt (James Van Der Beek)
First Noted In – Season 1, Episode 2
Brief Description
Stan’s boss, who is a bit of a mad man and drives Stan nuts.
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Additional Information About Matt
Notable Episodes
Quotes
Elektra (Dominique Jackson)
First Noted In – Season 1
Brief Description
Mother of the House of Abundance, later House of Wintour, Elektra is a woman who often can be seen as selfish, condescending, if not outright cruel. However, one could submit, similar to Pray Tell, it isn’t because she always means to be. It is to toughen up her kids and help them deal with a world which wasn’t kind to them, so she doubts it’ll be kind to her children.
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Additional Information About Elektra
- S1E3: Haven’t been to a doctor since 1979
- S1E4: Is 40
Notable Episodes
- S2E2: Starts the House of Wintour
Quotes
If they don’t grow strong enough to rebel, to reject you, to move away, then you’re not raising men and women. You’re creating parasites.
— Elektra – S2E8
If you choose to be a mother, you choose to shape the world.
— Elektra – S2E8
Costas (Johnny Sibilly)
First Noted In – Season 1, Episode 3
Brief Description
Pray Tell’s boyfriend, who is sickened with AIDS.
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Additional Information About Costas
Notable Episodes
Quotes
Patty (Kate Mara)
First Noted In – Season 1, Episode 3
Brief Description
Stan’s stay at home wife.
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Additional Information About Patty
Notable Episodes
Quotes
Helena St. Rogers (Charlayne Woodard)
First Noted In – Season 1, Episode 3
Brief Description
Damon’s dance teacher at the New School for dance.
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Additional Information About Helena
Notable Episodes
Quotes
You’re upset because you have compassion and integrity. Important qualities to possess as a parent.
— S1E7
Lulu (Hailie Sahar)
First Noted In – Season 1
Brief Description
One of Elektra’s daughters who, with being more fish than the others, is often held in a higher esteem. Add in she knows she is more fish, and it also gives her a bit of an attitude.
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Additional Information About Lulu
- S2E7: Decides to go back to school for accounting.
Notable Episodes
- S1E7: With Candy, starts the House of Ferocity.
Quotes
Dick Ford (Christopher Meloni)
First Noted In – Season 1, Episode 4
Brief Description
Elektra’s sugar daddy, of at least ten years, until she gets her confirmation surgery.
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Additional Information About Dick
Notable Episodes
Quotes
Candy (Angelica Ross)
First Noted In – Season 1, Episode 4
Brief Description
Candy, dear sweet Candy. When it comes to life, Candy never felt like she was enough, so she made her best defense a cutting offense and came for anyone and everybody. Which didn’t necessarily make her a lot of friends, but her audacity definitely made her a noted member of the community.
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Additional Information About Candy
- S2E6: Reveals she tested positive for aids.
Notable Episodes
- S1E7: With Lulu, she starts the House of Ferocity.
- Season 2, Episode 4 – A major event happens, which leads to us meeting Candy’s parents Darnell (Danny Johnson) and Vivica (Patrice Johnson Chevannes).
Quotes
Judy (Sandra Bernhard)
https://www.instagram.com/p/B3APmFflhWZ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
First Noted In – Season 1, Episode 6
Brief Description
The nurse who handles the AIDS ward, where Pray Tell’s boyfriend Costas is and does her best to advocate for them.
[adinserter name=”Character Guide”]
Additional Information About Judy
Notable Episodes
Quotes
Ms. Frederica Norman (Patti LuPone)
First Noted In – Season 2, Episode 2
Brief Description
Blanca’s landlord in season 2, when she gets her shop. At least, until Ms. Norman learns Blanca is trans, and so she pursues trying to get Blanca out by any means possible.
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Additional Information About Ms. Norman
Notable Episodes
Quotes
Ms. Ford (Trudie Styler)
First Noted In – Season 2/ Episode 3
Brief Description
Likely no relation to Dick Ford, Elektra’s former sugar daddy, Ms. Ford is a gatekeeper in the fashion industry who cracks it open for Angel and allows her to begin a modeling career – even with knowing Angel’s truth. She also takes Lil’ Papi under her win, noting his tenacity and advocacy.
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Additional Information About Ms. Ford
Notable Episodes
Quotes
General Information
| Creator(s) | Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, Steven Canals |
| First Aired (FX) | 6/3/2018 |
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Groups & Organizations
- The House of Abundance: Elektra’s house in season 1
- The House of Evangelista: Blanca’s house in season 1
- The House of Wintour: Elektra’s new house, starting in season 2
Notable Locations
- Orlando’s shop (Season 1): Ms. Orlando (Cecilia Gentili), is a well-known trans person who gives people shots of what some random mixture to give them a more fuller form.
Terms To Know
- AZT (s1e1): An early HIV/AIDS treatment drug
- Solid Gold (S2E5): A show Ricky and Damon do after auditioning to go on tour with Madonna.
Other Noteworthy Information
- 1987 (s1e1): When the show starts
- 1990 (s2E1): When the season starts
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