Dead Ringers (miniseries)

Dead Ringers is an American psychological thriller drama television miniseries developed by Alice Birch. It is based on the 1988 film of the same name by David Cronenberg, itself adapted from the 1977 novel Twins by Bari Wood and Jack Geasland. The series premiered on Amazon Prime Video on April 21, 2023.[2]

Dead Ringers
Promotional poster
Genre
Based onDead Ringers
by David Cronenberg
Twins
by
Developed byAlice Birch
Starring
ComposerMurray Gold
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of episodes6
Production
Executive producers
Cinematography
Editors
Running time52–64 minutes
Production companies
Release
Original networkAmazon Prime Video
Original releaseApril 21, 2023 (2023-04-21)

Cast and characters

Main

Recurring

Guest

Episodes
No.TitleDirected byTeleplay byOriginal release date
1"One"Sean DurkinAlice BirchApril 21, 2023 (2023-04-21)
In Manhattan, twin gynecologists Elliot and Beverly Mantle, dubbed the Mantle twins, frequently commit malpractice at the hospital where they work, while harboring a plan to establish their own independent birthing center. During one of their hospital sessions, Beverly meets Genevieve, a famous actress. Elliot successfully seduces Genevieve while posing as Beverly, which effectively brings Beverly and Genevieve into a relationship, with Genevieve having slight doubts. The twins manage to convince Rebecca Parker, a venture philanthropist, to fund their birthing center scheme, despite earlier failed delivery at the hospital. Beverly is revealed to be schizophrenic while experiencing bleeding in her vulva; Elliot expresses sociopathic behaviors and instigates several sexual encounters with strangers. Elliot has a mental breakdown when she Beverly tells her that Beverly's relationship with Genevieve is serious.
2"Two"Sean DurkinMing PeifferApril 21, 2023 (2023-04-21)
3"Three"Karena EvansRachel De-LahayApril 21, 2023 (2023-04-21)
4"Four"Lauren WolksteinMiriam BattyeApril 21, 2023 (2023-04-21)
5"Five"Karyn KusamaSusan Soon He StantonApril 21, 2023 (2023-04-21)
6"Six"Sean Durkin & Lauren WolksteinAlice BirchApril 21, 2023 (2023-04-21)

Production

Development

In August 2020, it was announced Amazon Prime Video had given a straight-to-series order to a television series based upon David Cronenberg's 1988 film Dead Ringers, with Annapurna Television set to produce, and Alice Birch set to serve as head writer and executive producer.[3] Sean Durkin, Lauren Wolkstein and Karyn Kusama will direct episodes of the series.[4][5]

Casting

Upon the initial announcement, it was revealed Rachel Weisz would star in the series.[3] In July 2021, it was announced Michael Chernus had joined the cast as a series regular.[6] In August 2021, it was announced Poppy Liu and Britne Oldford had joined the cast as series regulars, with Jeremy Shamos, Jennifer Ehle and Emily Meade set to recur.[7][8][9]

Filming

Principal photography began by August 2021 in New York City.[10][11]

Release

The series had its world premiere at the 2023 Canneseries on April 15, competing for Long Form competition.[12] All six episodes of the series were released on April 21, 2023.[2]

Reception

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 84% of 82 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.8/10. The website's consensus reads: "If Dead Ringers doesn't wield as cutting a blade as David Cronenberg's original chiller, it's not a pale imitation either, thanks to Rachel Weisz putting on a clinic in doppelgänger duplicity."[13] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 79 out of 100 based on 24 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[14]

The series was included in several mid-year lists of the best TV shows of 2023, such as The Guardian, Time and Variety.[15][16][17] Alison Herman of Variety wrote, "Rachel Weisz has the dual role of a lifetime as the Mantle twins. [ . . . ] Gender-swapped reboots too often carry a whiff of sanctimony, but [the series] is as perverse and profane as any great Cronenberg homage. [ . . . ] Dead Ringers is more than a gimmick; it’s a cerebral spin on a nightmare."[17]

Accolades
Year Award Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
2023 Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards Best Actress in a Streaming Limited or Anthology Series or Movie Rachel Weisz Pending [18]
Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards Outstanding Cinematography for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie Jody Lee Lipes (for "One") Pending [19]

References
  1. "Dead Ringers". Morgan Creek Entertainment. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  2. Mitovich, Matt Webb (February 14, 2023). "Dead Ringers: Rachel Weisz-Starring Amazon Series Gets Release Date". TVLine. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
  3. Kroll, Justin; Andreeva, Nellie (August 18, 2020). "Rachel Weisz To Star In & Produce 'Dead Ringers' TV Series Reboot In Works At Amazon From 'Normal People' Scribe Alice Birch & Annapurna TV". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  4. "Jody Lee Lipes Shoots Amazon's Dead Ringers". Lux Artists. August 3, 2021. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  5. "Murray Gold". Evolution Music Partners. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  6. Petski, Denise (July 22, 2021). "Michael Chernus Joins Rachel Weisz In 'Dead Ringers' Amazon Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  7. Otterson, Joe (August 3, 2021). "'Hacks' Star Poppy Liu Joins Rachel Weisz in 'Dead Ringers' Amazon Series". Variety. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  8. Petski, Denise (August 11, 2021). "Britne Oldford To Star In Rachel Weisz Amazon Series 'Dead Ringers'; Jeremy Shamos Also Cast". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  9. Otterson, Joe (August 30, 2021). "'Dead Ringers' Amazon Series Casts Jennifer Ehle, Emily Meade (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  10. Levy, Kayla (August 12, 2021). "'Dead Ringers' Remake Filming At Astoria Bar: Sources". Patch.com. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  11. Steves, Ashley (November 2, 2021). "NYC What's Filming: Amazon's Series Adaptation of 'Dead Ringers,' Starring Rachel Weisz". Backstage.com. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  12. Hopewell, John; Barraclough, Leo (March 28, 2023). "Canneseries: 'Dead Ringers,' 'Fatal Attraction,' 'Tapie' Join 'Silo' in Lineup". Variety. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
  13. "Dead Ringers: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  14. "Dead Ringers: Season 1". Metacritic. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
  15. Duggins, Alexi; Richardson, Hollie; Abbott, Kate (June 5, 2023). "The best TV of 2023 so far". The Guardian. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  16. Berman, Judy (June 1, 2023). "The Best TV Shows of 2023 So Far". Time. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  17. Herman, Alison (June 28, 2023). "The 10 Best TV Shows of the Year (So Far)". Variety. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  18. Anderson, Erik (July 11, 2023). "'The Boys', 'Yellowjackets', 'Abbott Elementary' lead 2023 HCA TV Awards nominations". AwardsWatch. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  19. Moreau, Jordan (July 12, 2023). "Emmys 2023: The Complete Nominations List". Variety. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
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