July 25, 2022
'White Lotus' Lead Murray Bartlett to Star in Hulu Chippendales Miniseries
Kilian Melloy READ TIME: 1 MIN.
Move over, Magic Mike! "White Lotus" star Murray Bartlett has been cast in an upcoming Hulu miniseries about the man who created Chippendales, the bow-tie wearing dancers who put a male spin on the strip tease.
The series – currently known under its working title, "Immigrant" – follows "the true story of Somen 'Steve' Banerjee (played by Kumail Nanjiani), the Indian American entrepreneur who started the Chippendales nightclub chain," according to The Hollywood Reporter.
"The series will detail the insane, darkly comedic, crime-ridden story behind the unique male revue that became a cultural phenomenon," THR said.
"Bartlett will play Banerjee's business partner and nemesis Nick De Noia, "a charming, fast-talking New Yorker who's certain he's God's gift to entertainment,'" THR added.
Variety detailed that "While regularly indulging in his loves of drinking, drugs, women and men," De Noia "helped Banerjee take the Chippendales from a seedy West LA venture to the global popularity it eventually reached."
Variety recounted Murray's filmography, recalling that in addition to starring in "The White Lotus" – where he, together with actor Lucas Gage, introduced American audiences to rimming in an iconic on-screen moment – "Bartlett has starred as Dominic Basaluzzo in HBO's 'Looking' and Michael 'Mouse' Tolliver in Netflix's 'Tales of the City.'"
Chippendales first bowed in 1979. Reports did not indicate when audiences might look forward to the upcoming limited series.
Kilian Melloy serves as EDGE Media Network's Associate Arts Editor and Staff Contributor. His professional memberships include the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association, the Boston Online Film Critics Association, The Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association, and the Boston Theater Critics Association's Elliot Norton Awards Committee.
