The new installment will be based on the novel Capote's Women: A True Story of Love, Betrayal, and a Swan Song for an Era by Laurence Leamer. Set in the 1970s, the season will chronicle the tale of the famous wunderkind author Truman Capote as he stabs several of his female friends - whom he called his "swans" - in the back by publishing a roman à clef short story called "La Côte Basque 1965" in Esquire in 1975. The piece was intended to be a chapter in Capote's infamous unfinished novel Answered Prayers, his followup to the blockbuster In Cold Blood.
Following the enormous success of In Cold Blood, Capote was the toast of New York high society who counted the city's most beautiful, stylish, and wealthy women as close friends. The list of top socialites in his inner circle included Babe Paley (Watts), Slim Keith, Pamela Churchill Harriman, Lee Radziwill, Gloria Guinness and C.Z. Guest. The characters of "La Côte Basque" were thinly disguised versions of Capote's swans and exposed their shocking secrets and scandals, from adultery to murder. Its publication destroyed Capote's friendships, with all of his swans cutting him off, as well as his reputation and his social standing.
Jon Robin Baitz will write the entire 8-episode season, with Gus Van Sant directing every episode. They will executive produce with Watts, Ryan Murphy, Dede Gardner, Tim Minear, Alexis Martin Woodall, Jessica Lange and Susan Sarandon. 20th Television, Plan B Entertainment and Ryan Murphy Productions will produce.
