At a Glance
- Rebecca Hall becomes a younger, more beautiful version of herself after a viral infection in FX’s The Beauty.
- The first three episodes, which premiered January 21, deliver a series of shocking twists centered on a mysterious virus affecting fashion industry stars.
- The show’s finale is slated for March 4, with new episodes airing Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET on FX and FX on Hulu.
- Why it matters: The rapid character shift showcases the series’ willingness to defy audience expectations and explore body horror in a fresh, high-stakes narrative.
The new FX series The Beauty burst onto screens with a barrage of twists that left viewers scrambling to keep up. Premiering January 21, the first three episodes follow FBI agent Jordan Bennett, played initially by Rebecca Hall, as she investigates a string of bizarre deaths in the fashion world. The narrative takes a sharp turn when Hall’s character is infected by a mysterious virus that transforms her body and appearance.
The Viral Twist
In the opening episodes, model Ruby-played by Bella Hadid-goes on a murderous rampage before suddenly exploding in the streets of Paris. Jordan Bennett and her partner Cooper Madsen, portrayed by Evan Peters, are dispatched across Europe to uncover the truth behind Ruby’s death and other similar incidents. They discover that all the victims were infected with the same virus.
As the investigation leads them to an influencer’s death in Venice, the duo receives a call from New York City about a Vogue editor who has suffered a comparable fate. Before they can return to the U.S., Cooper is chased by two men, and Jordan is seduced by a handsome stranger in a hotel lobby.
The encounter culminates in a private room where Jordan and the stranger engage in sex. Unbeknownst to her, the virus is transmitted, and she undergoes a horrific body transformation. The result is a younger, more beautiful version of herself, now portrayed by Jessica Alexander.
Hall explained the surprise of the twist: “I thought that was a great plot twist because it’s such a bait and switch situation,” she told News Of Los Angeles. “It really sort of feels like I’m gonna be in the show as me all the way through. And so it’s really surprising that Ryan decided to make it happen so quickly into the show. It’s a real punch.”
Behind the Scenes
The series is a collaboration between Ryan Murphy and Matt Hodgson. Hall praised Murphy’s approach, noting that he encouraged her to bring authenticity to her role. “The thing that really sold it to me, he was like, ‘I want you to be you and bring whatever you want to it,'” she recalled. Hall described the show as the “apex of Ryan Murphy.”
When discussing the intense transformation scenes, Hall highlighted the physical demands: “There was a lot of twisting required. Those moments are really awful to watch, actually.” Evan Peters echoed this sentiment, adding that the on-screen transformation was “pretty painful and violent.”
Hall also reflected on her character’s dynamics. “I really liked Jordan. She’s quite self-possessed and quite witty and she was fun to inhabit,” she said. She added that Jordan’s feminist stance sometimes conflicted with her emotional expression, making her relationship with Cooper “a little heartbreaking.”
Cooper’s fate was described by Peters as a tragedy that “amplifies the need to solve the case,” even if that means going rogue.
What to Expect Next
The series continues to deliver shocking turns as it delves deeper into the virus’s origins and the fashion industry’s hidden dangers. New episodes of The Beauty will air every Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET on FX and FX on Hulu, leading up to the season finale on March 4.
Key Takeaways
- Rebecca Hall‘s character undergoes a rapid, dramatic transformation, shifting to Jessica Alexander.
- The virus that infects models is a central plot element, linking multiple deaths across Europe.
- Ryan Murphy’s collaborative direction allows actors to bring authenticity to their roles.
- The series blends body horror with a high-stakes investigation, setting it apart from typical thriller tropes.
- Viewers can expect continued twists and a deepening mystery as the season progresses.
The show’s bold narrative choices and rapid character evolution signal a new direction for FX’s primetime lineup, keeping audiences on the edge of their seats.
