Ryan Murphy, photographed for Time on August 19, 2019.
(Mickalene Thomas)
Years ago, when Ryan Murphy was an entertainment journalist for The Times, he faced an enduring Hollywood conundrum: “How do you make a mainstream audience identify with an idiot?”
“I think this rule that successful movies must feature completely likable characters is too general,” one executive told him. “Listen, there are no rules.”
Discover the changemakers shaping every cultural corner of Los Angeles. This week we bring you The Creators, who are leaving their mark on film, art, music and more. Come back every Sunday for another delivery.
Murphy listened, very well. Since creating the cult classic “Popular” in 1999, he has become one of Hollywood's most prolific producers, largely turning narcissists (“Nip/Tuck”), outcasts (“Glee”) and murderers (“ American Horror Story”) on Essential Television. His courtship with infamous figures has earned him critical praise, particularly for his reexamination of real-life figures from the OJ Simpson trial, the impeachment of President Clinton, the assassination of fashion designer Gianni Versace, and the rivalry between actors. Golden Age Joan Crawford and Bette Davis; More recently, he has mired it in controversy, with a season of “Monster” centered on Jeffrey Dahmer that angered the families of the serial killer's victims.
Along the way, he also emerged as a central figure in the streaming wars. In 2018, Netflix lured him away from Fox with a landmark $300 million development deal, but his output there (including “The Politician,” “Hollywood,” “Ratched” and “The Prom”) has met with a decidedly mixed reception. . In fact, with his time at the streamer coming to an end, he will supposedly return to his former home, now part of Disney.
However, perhaps Murphy's influence has been felt most powerfully in the realm of LGBTQ+ representation.
However, perhaps Murphy's influence has been felt most powerfully in the realm of LGBTQ+ representation. She has created a stable of queer stars, including Sarah Paulson and Matt Bomer, while bringing pioneering queer works like “The Normal Heart” and “The Boys in the Band” to the screen. In particular, “Pose,” set in the New York City ballroom community in the 1980s and early '90s, made history by assembling the largest cast of transgender actors ever to appear as regulars on a scripted television series, and earned Billy Porter a historic Emmy. gain.
As a result, Murphy, 59, an Indianapolis native who has three children with her husband, photographer David Miller, has become synonymous with projects that put traditionally marginalized characters at the center of the story.
“I made them the protagonists instead of cronies” he said, “because that's what I did in my own life.”
