Netflix continues bringing new original content every week, and among its biggest projects is the miniseries Halston, created by Sharr White and executive produced by Ryan Murphy, and here’s who plays who in this story. As the streaming wars heat up with the arrival of new platforms and many of them housing movies that couldn't make it to theaters due to the coronavirus pandemic, each platform has stepped its game up with original content, and one the audience can always count on is Netflix. The streaming giant still has a long list of original content to share for months to come, many of them from some of their most important collaborators.
Among those is Ryan Murphy, who signed a deal with Netflix in 2018 to bring a variety of content to the platform. First was the series The Politician, followed by Hollywood, Ratched, and the movies The Boys in the Band and The Prom, all covering different themes and genres, and as such getting different reactions from critics and viewers. Murphy’s next big project with Netflix is Halston, a miniseries based on the life of designer Roy Halston Frowick, who rose to fame in the 1970s with his minimalist and clean designs. Of course, Halston’s life wasn’t always glamorous, as he struggled with some inner demons and was frequently seen at Studio 54 with big names of the decade as were Liza Minnelli and Andy Warhol.
Halston is based on the book Simply Halston by Steven Graines and has a couple of well-known names in its cast as well as some new faces. Here’s a guide to the cast members of Halston and what their real-life counterparts look like.
Ewan McGregor as Halston
Ewan McGregor plays the title character, Roy Halston Frowick, who simply went by Halston. Through his designs made of cashmere or ultrasuede he became a phenomenon in the 1970s, redefining American fashion and becoming widely known in the nightclub scene, more so as he was a frequent attendee at Studio 54. McGregor is best known for his roles as Mark Renton in Trainspotting and T2 Trainspotting, and Obi-Wan Kenobi in the Star Wars prequels (and the upcoming TV series Obi-Wan Kenobi), and among his most recent acting credits are Doctor Sleep, Birds of Prey, and the TV series Fargo.
Krysta Rodriguez as Liza Minnelli
Krysta Rodriguez plays actress, dancer, and singer Liza Minnelli, known for her award-winning role in Cabaret (1972) and for her powerful singing voice. In the 1970s, Minnelli struggled with addiction, to the point where Andy Warhol noted in a diary entry that she once arrived at Halston’s house (as he was a close friend of hers) imploring him to give her every drug he had. Krysta Rodriguez has played Ana Vargas in Smash, Kim in Younger, and Maxine Griffin in Quantico.
Rebecca Dayan as Elsa Peretti
French actress Rebecca Dayan plays Italian jewelry designer and model Elsa Peretti. In the 1970s, Peretti became one of Halston’s muses and part of his “Halstonettes”, his favorite models, a group that also included Pat Cleveland, Anjelica Huston, and Beverly Johnson, among many others. Peretti also designed jewelry for Halston and signed a contract with Tiffany & Co. in 1974. Among Dayan’s acting credits are From Paris With Love, Limitless, and Elementary, though all were minor roles.
Gian Franco Rodriguez as Victor Hugo
Gian Franco Rodriguez plays Venezuelan artist Victor Hugo, Halston’s partner. Hugo became one of Andy Warhol’s assistants at The Factory, modeling for his torso series, and is said to be the first window dresser to incorporate pop art into his designs. This is Gian Franco Rodriguez’s first TV project, as he had previously appeared in short films.
Rory Culkin as Joel Schumacher
Rory Culkin plays filmmaker Joel Schumacher. He became a fashion designer after graduating from Parsons School of Design and entered the film industry as a production and costume designer, eventually becoming a director and screenwriter, best remembered for movies like St. Elmo’s Fire, The Lost Boys, and Batman & Robin. Rory Culkin has appeared in a number of projects, most notably The Zodiac, Scream 4, Intruders, and Castle Rock.
Halston Supporting Cast
David Pittu as Joe Eula: in the early 1970s, Eula was a freelance creative art director consultant to Halston Ltd. and later became creative director of the brand. David Pittu’s acting credits include Law & Order, Rescue Me, Damages, The Good Wife, House of Cards, and Law & Order: SVU.
Vera Farmiga as Adele: Farmiga’s character isn’t listed as having a real-life counterpart. Vera Farmiga is known for her roles in The Departed, The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, Orphan, and The Conjuring franchise.
Bill Pullman as David Mahoney: a renowned philanthropist and corporate giant who acquired the Halston brand in the 1970s. Bill Pullman’s credits include Spaceballs, A League of Their Own, Sleepless in Seattle, Casper, Independence Day, The Grudge, and The Coldest Game.
Sullivan Jones as Ed Austin: an assistant buyer at Alexander’s and one of Halston’s partners. Sullivan Jones has appeared in The Looming Tower, Wu-Tang: An American Saga, and The Politician.
Kelly Bishop as Eleanor Lambert: a fashion publicist and the founder of New York Fashion Week, the Council of Fashion Designers of America, the Met Gala, and the International Best Dressed List. Kelly Bishop is known for her roles in Dirty Dancing, Cafe Society, and Gilmore Girls.