Billy Porter and Mj Rodriguez Choose Life in “Pose” Season 2 Teasers

by Brandon Voss

5h ago

The opulent fantasy continues.

Pose stars Billy Porter and Mj Rodriguez slay a pair of new video teasers for the upcoming second season of FX’s groundbreaking Golden Globe-nominated series.

Focusing on gay and transgender performers in New York City’s 1980s ballroom scene, Pose has has made history with the most trans series regulars ever in an American scripted TV series.

“I’m trying to figure out how to stay positive,” says Porter in one brief clip, in character as HIV-positive ballroom emcee Pray Tell. “I feel a change coming. Joy is a choice. Choosing life in the darkest of times is a choice. That’s what the ballroom scene is about.”
 

“These kids can always lean on me no matter what,” says Rodriguez, in character as Blanca, HIV-positive Mother of the House of Evangelista. “If they fall, they know I’m going to always be there, even if I’m gone. That’s how you create a family. My words are powerful, and I hope I can live to tell the story. I want my legacy to be love.”

FX has confirmed that Pose’s second season will jump ahead to 1990. The first episode is set on the day Madonna released “Vogue,” which introduced ball culture to the mainstream.

“Meanwhile, the AIDS crisis continues to ravage the community and the reaction from a group of activists reaches a fever pitch,” according to a press release.

Created by Ryan Murphy in collaboration with producers Brad Falchuk and Steven Canals, the show has also employed more than 100 trans actors, crew members, and consultants.
 

Despite disappointing ratings, Pose was renewed for a second season last summer following the critically acclaimed episode “Love Is the Message,” which was directed by Janet Mock and focused on the AIDS epidemic.

“Ryan Murphy has once again revolutionized television with Pose, an incredibly engaging story of creativity, courage, compassion, love and family at a pivotal time in our culture,” said FX CEO John Landgraf in a statement. “As television critics have universally acknowledged, there is simply nothing like Pose on TV, so effortlessly excelling on every creative level and earning a place in television history for its infectiously inclusive spirit.”

The cast also includes Indya Moore, Dominique Jackson, Hailie Sahar, Angelica Ross, Ryan Jamaal Swain, Angel Bismark Curiel, Dyllón Burnside, Sandra Bernhard, and Charlayne Woodard.

Pose returns June 11 on FX.