Hollywood (2020)
Ryan Murphy's dazzling Netflix miniseries reimagines post-WWII Tinseltown as a place where dreamers rewrite the rules of fame, race, and desire.
Hollywood - Series Information
- Original Title: Hollywood
- First Air Year: 2020
- Last Air Year: 2020
- Created by: Ryan Murphy, Ian Brennan
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama
- Content Rating (US): TV-MA
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (50 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 7
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: May 1, 2020 (United States - TV-MA), May 1, 2020 (Australia - MA15+), May 1, 2020 (Brazil - 16), May 1, 2020 (Mexico - C), May 1, 2020 (Spain - 16), May 1, 2020 (South Korea - 19)
- Networks: Netflix
- Production Companies: Ryan Murphy Television, Prospect Films
- Production Countries: United States of America
Hollywood - Plot
In post-World War II Hollywood, an ambitious group of aspiring actors and filmmakers will do almost anything to make their showbiz dreams come true.
Hollywood - Trailer
See the alternate history of Tinseltown unfold in the official trailer:
What if you could rewrite the story?
Where to Watch Hollywood
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Hollywood - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Ryan Murphy
- Ian Brennan
Main Cast
- David Corenswet
- Darren Criss
- Laura Harrier
- Joe Mantello
- Dylan McDermott
- Jake Picking
- Jeremy Pope
- Holland Taylor
- Samara Weaving
- Jim Parsons
Writers
- Ian Brennan
- Ryan Murphy
- Janet Mock
- Reilly Smith
Executive Producers
- Ryan Murphy
- Darren Criss
- Ian Brennan
- Jim Parsons
- Eric Kovtun
Hollywood - FAQs
Is Hollywood based on real people and events?
Hollywood blends fiction with real history. Characters like Rock Hudson and Anna May Wong are based on actual figures, while others are invented. The series reimagines what post-WWII Hollywood might have looked like had it embraced diversity and inclusion decades ahead of when it actually did.
What is Hollywood about on Netflix?
Set in post-World War II Los Angeles, Hollywood follows a group of aspiring actors and filmmakers willing to do almost anything to break into the industry. The series weaves an alternate history of Tinseltown, exploring themes of race, sexuality, ambition, and the price of chasing the American Dream.
Where can you stream Hollywood (2020)?
Hollywood is available to stream on Netflix and Netflix Standard with Ads. Both options give you access to all seven episodes of the miniseries. Availability may vary slightly by region, so check your local Netflix library for the most up-to-date information.
Who plays Rock Hudson in Hollywood?
Jake Picking portrays Rock Hudson in the series, depicting the legendary actor's early years in Hollywood before his rise to stardom. The show explores Hudson's closeted homosexuality and the pressures he faced navigating a studio system that demanded conformity while he struggled to be himself.
How was Hollywood received by critics?
Critical reception was mixed but spirited. Many praised the show's lush production design, committed performances, and its bold revisionist spirit. Others found its optimistic alternate history overly idealistic. The cast — particularly Jeremy Pope, Laura Harrier, and Jim Parsons — earned widespread individual acclaim for their performances.
Did Hollywood win any awards or nominations?
Hollywood earned several award nominations, including Emmy nominations for Outstanding Limited Series and Outstanding Supporting Actor for Jeremy Pope. Jim Parsons also received recognition for his portrayal of real-life talent agent Henry Wilson. The series was celebrated for its production design and costume work reflecting the Golden Age of cinema.
What real historical figures appear in Hollywood?
Several real figures appear alongside fictional characters, including Rock Hudson, Anna May Wong (played by Michelle Krusiec), and talent agent Henry Wilson (Jim Parsons). Their stories are reimagined within the show's alternate history framework, giving them outcomes and opportunities that history itself denied them.
What shows are similar to Hollywood (2020)?
If Hollywood captivated you, try FEUD (2017) for more Ryan Murphy-style Hollywood drama, Fosse/Verdon (2019) for a richly crafted showbiz story, or Mad Men (2007) for a similarly stylish period portrait of ambition and identity. The Studio (2025) and Entourage (2004) also explore the entertainment industry from fresh angles.
More About Hollywood
Explore further details about Hollywood on these authoritative resources: