Season two of HBO’s critically acclaimed dramatic series The Deuce continues with four new episodes airing in October 2018. The series stars James Franco and Maggie Gyllenhaal and comes from George Pelecanos and David Simon.
Season two regulars also include Gary Carr, Gbenga Akinnagbe, Margarita Levieva, Dominique Fishback, Emily Meade, Lawrence Gilliard, Jr, Chris Bauer, Michael Rispoli, and Chris Coy. Newcomers to season two include Luke Kirby (Rectify) and Jamie Neumann (The Looming Tower).
The season two guest stars are Zoe Kazan (The Big Sick), Ralph Macchio (The Karate Kid), Mustafa Shakir (Marvel’s Luke Cage), David Krumholtz (Living Biblically), Don Harvey (The Night Of), Cliff “Method Man” Smith (8 Mile), Daniel Sauli (House of Cards), and Sepidah Moafi (Falling Water).
The Season 2 Plot:
Amid a city that is as culturally dynamic as it is dystopic, the show finds its protagonists living at the apex of the Golden Age of Porn, when the dream of a mainstream X-rated film business is suddenly a credible reality, and the culture of pornography and its blatant commodification of sex is finding increasing traction among more and more Americans.
Disco and punk are in full swing, and police corruption and political tolerance for New York’s midtown demimonde is at its height. And the Mafia, the early backer of pornography at the moment when courts declared for its legality, is now seemingly poised to reap great profits. A comparable – and, in some ways, more professional – porn industry is rising on the West Coast as well. But for now, New York is holding its own in a city flush with movies, music and art, as the drug-fueled party rages around the clock.
The Deuce October 2018 Episodes:
- Episode #13 (season 2, episode 5): “All You’ll Be Eating Is Cannibals”
Debut date: SUNDAY, OCT. 7 (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT)
Temporarily flush with cash, Frankie (James Franco) is tapped by Candy (Maggie Gyllenhaal) to be a co-producer on “Red Hot.” Lori (Emily Meade) eyes a plum role in the film, but still feels the burden of C.C.’s (Gary Carr) yoke. With Rudy’s (Michael Rispoli) blessing, Big Mike (Mustafa Shakir) and Black Frankie (Thaddeus Street) hit a gambling house in the Bronx. Bobby (Chris Bauer) finds himself stigmatized at home and at the Hi-Hat after a surprise raid overseen by Alston (Lawrence Gilliard, Jr.).
Paul (Chris Coy) encounters resistance to his elaborate renovation plans. Out of rehab, Shay (Kim Director) is convinced to move in with a nurturing Irene (Robeta Colindrez). As she and Abby (Margarita Levieva) deliver on their promise to provide medical care to sex workers, Ashley (Jamie Neumann) decides to confront her past…and doesn’t blink.
Written by Richard Price & Carl Capotorto; directed by Zetna Fuentes. - Episode #14 (season 2, episode 6): “We’re All Beasts”
Debut date: SUNDAY, OCT. 14 (9:00-10:00 p.m.)
Candy (Maggie Gyllenhaal) shoots her opus guerilla-style on the streets of New York. Vincent (James Franco) makes a confession to Abby (Margarita Levieva), along with a promise to change. Ashley (Jamie Neumann) and Abby help a prostitute escape the Deuce, with a little help from Vincent. Larry Brown (Gbenga Akinnagbe) gets a promotion. Paul (Chris Coy) celebrates the opening of his new upscale club. Bobby (Chris Bauer) turns to Vincent to find work for his wayward eldest son, Joey (Michael Gandolfini).
Written by Megan Abbott & Stephani DeLuca; directed by Susanna White. - Episode #15 (season 2, episode 7): “The Feminism Part”
Debut date: SUNDAY, OCT. 21 (9:00-10:00 p.m.)
Trapped by his own success, Vincent (James Franco) envisions an idyllic rural life with Abby (Margarita Levieva). Candy (Maggie Gyllenhaal) is frustrated by her mob backers’ misogyny and weighs telling her son, Adam (Mikey Moughan), what she really does for a living. Shay (Kim Director) reverts to form, to Irene’s (Robeta Colindrez) dismay. Joey (Michael Gandolfini) falls in love. Darlene (Dominique Fishback) deals with unexpected news. Lori (Emily Meade) hits a roadblock in her quest for adult-film stardom. Alston (Lawrence Gilliard, Jr.) faces a dilemma involving his old partner, Flanagan (Don Harvey). Paul (Chris Coy) and Kenneth (Michael Stahl-David) arrive at a crossroads.
Written by Will Ralston; directed by Tricia Brock. - Episode #16 (season 2, episode 8): “Nobody Has to Get Hurt”
Debut date: SUNDAY, OCT. 28 (9:00-10:00 p.m.)
Rudy (Michael Rispoli) and Matty the Horse (Garry Pastore) buy Lori (Emily Meade) away from C.C. (Gary Carr), who has a back-end agenda. Abby (Margarita Levieva), Dave (Sebastian Arcelus) and Loretta (Sepideh Moafi) warn Ashley (Jamie Neumann) about the dangers of her aggressive activism. Goldman (Luke Kirby) shares his plans for cleaning up the Deuce with Alston (Lawrence Gilliard, Jr.). Larry Brown (Gbenga Akinnagbe) is reunited with a girl from his past. Vincent (James Franco) turns to his father (Armand Assante) for relationship advice. Candy (Maggie Gyllenhaal) puts the finishing touches on “Red Hot” in advance of its premiere.
Written by George Pelecanos; directed by Tanya Hamilton.
