Capote Vs The Swans Cast – Feuds are among the most popular things in the celebrity world. One of them is Truman Capote and his ‘Swans.’ These elegant ladies were once a favorite in New York society circles. The dynamic between Capote, the brilliant yet controversial writer, and these women, including Babe Paley, C. Z. Guest, and Lee Radziwill, forms the core of the TV miniseries Feud: Capote vs. The Swans. This show dives into the complexities of Capote’s relationships with his high-society friends and his eventual falling-out with them. The cast for Feud brings these larger-than-life personalities to life on the small screen, with a view for the viewers into the lives behind the glitz and glamor of the New York big shots. Read on for insight into who plays what of these icons in their real-life counterparts.
Table of Contents
The Cast of Feud: Capote vs. The Swans Their Real-Life Counterparts
Naomi Watts as Babe Paley
Sitting pretty across from CBS’s founder, William S. Paley, is his exquisitely beautiful and perfectly sophisticated wife, Babe Paley. Babe is one of Capote’s most intimate friends, to whom appearances are always presented as a representation of upper-class beauty and refinement. Watts brings that poise to the screen to portray a woman torn between loyalty to her friends and the fallout caused by Capote’s betrayal. This is closer to Babe as she would be seen here: a more profound society woman than just that emptiness inside.
Chloë Sevigny as C. Z. Guest
- Z. Guest, played by Chloë Sevigny, was a socialite and horse breeder with a complicated yet intimate relationship with Capote. C. Z. was the epitome of beauty and charm but also the epitome of no-nonsense. Sevigny embodies that duality, giving viewers a glimpse of the socialite who entertains and challenges Capote, particularly in his later years.
Calista Flockhart as Lee Radziwill
Lee Radziwill, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis’s sister, is played by Calista Flockhart. On the show, Flockhart gives depth and complexity to the coolly calculating persona of Lee, depicting her as a woman stuck between the siren song of New York society and the more bitter mixings within it. Lee’s relationship with Capote was complex: at once intimate and aggressive. Flockhart superbly captures such intricacy in this relationship.
Diane Lane as Slim Keith
Slim Keith is a charming and witty figure in Capote’s life, played by Diane Lane. Slim was one of Capote’s first muses and confidante. Lane does justice to Slim, both charming and earthy, portraying the inner strength of the woman who, despite her glamour, was deeply affected by Capote’s betrayal.
Molly Ringwald as Joanne Carson
Molly Ringwald plays the ex-wife of Johnny Carson, talk show host Joanne Carson. Another of Capote’s closest friends, Joanne, is a warm and vulnerable character Ringwald breathes life into. She reveals Joanne’s loyalty towards her friend even as she witnesses Capote’s darker side.
Demi Moore as Ann Woodward
Demi Moore portrays Ann Woodward, a wealthy socialite enmeshed in one of Capote’s saddest stories. During the series, Moore can bring out the tragic figure in Ann, where fame, lies, and scandals get her caught in their whirlwind. Ann Woodward’s real-life mystery was immense, and in that sense, Moore captures the vagueness surrounding her character’s motivations.
Treat Williams as William S. Paley
William S. Paley, played by Treat Williams, is a key player in Feud since he was Babe Paley’s husband and a member of the same upper echelon Capote belonged to. The character, as portrayed by Williams, conveys a sense of power as a media mogul who has been an acquaintance of Capote and yet a man of his extreme loyalties.
Chris Chalk as James Baldwin
James Baldwin, portrayed by Chris Chalk, was one of Capote’s closest friends and a figure of great importance in literature. Baldwin’s role in Feud with Capote is seen through his relationship with the author and is given depth by Chalk, which mirrors Baldwin’s importance to the social and intellectual circles at the time.
Ella Beatty as Kerry O’Shea
Ella Beatty plays the minor series character Kerry O’Shea, a companion to Capote during his last years and a crucial part in the events leading to his fall. Beatty imbues the role with subtle depth in portraying the woman as, at times, an observer or, at other times, a participant in Capote’s unraveling.
Russell Tovey plays John O’Shea
Russell Tovey plays John O’Shea, an essential character with Capote, during the latter days of his life. His role focuses on the personal relationships surrounding Capote in his final days, and in playing the character, Tovey gives John some quiet strength.
Tom Hollander as Truman Capote
Tom Hollander has the task of playing Truman Capote, which he does with extraordinary perfection. Hollander brings out Capote’s charm, wit, and, above all, his ruthlessness. Betraying his socialite friends and isolation are two pivotal plot points of Feud, and Hollander navigates it all with an ease that borders on perfection.
Conclusion
Feud: Capote Vs The Swans Cast delivers a significant ensemble of a lively set of powerful, influential figures within New York society. The actors insightfully portray the lives of these women and Capote himself in a richly nuanced and profound way. Through their acts, the audience learns the truth about the real-life drama that transpired among the icons, rendering the spectacle into one of the most storied and tragic feuds in high society.
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