The Deuce (2017)

Synopsis

The story of the legalization and subsequent rise of the porn industry in New York’s Times Square from the early ’70s through the mid ’80s, exploring the rough-and-tumble world that existed there until the rise of HIV, the violence of the cocaine epidemic and the renewed real estate market ended the bawdy turbulence of the area.

Watch the trailer

Where to watch

Stream

• HBO Max

Buy

• Apple TV Store
• Google Play Movies
• Fandango At Home

Streaming availability via JustWatch

Cast

• James Franco as Vincent Martino / Frankie Martino
• Maggie Gyllenhaal as Eileen 'Candy' Merrell
• Chris Bauer as Bobby Dwyer
• Chris Coy as Paul Hendrickson
• Lawrence Gilliard Jr. as Chris Alston
• Margarita Levieva as Abigail 'Abby' Parker
• Emily Meade as Lori Madison
• Michael Rispoli as Rudy Pipilo
• Daniel Sauli as Tommy Longo
• Olivia Luccardi as Melissa

If you liked The Deuce, try

• Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
• Law & Order
• Peaky Blinders
• Mad Men
• NYPD Blue
• Miami Vice
• Sex and the City
• Third Watch

BingeNext's take

If you’re drawn to gritty dramas that explore complex social changes, The Deuce is a great pick. Set in New York’s Times Square from the early 70s to the mid 80s, it takes you into the gritty rise of the porn industry, showing how it shaped and was shaped by the city’s darker side. The show doesn’t shy away from tough topics like the violence of the cocaine epidemic and the impact of HIV, making it feel raw and real. With strong performances from James Franco and Maggie Gyllenhaal, it’s a series that pulls you into a turbulent world that’s both fascinating and unsettling. If you’ve enjoyed shows like Mad Men or Peaky Blinders for their period detail and complex characters, you’ll find The Deuce similarly absorbing and thought-provoking. It’s a slow burn that rewards patience with a deep look at a unique slice of history.