Jump to content

Unreal (TV series): Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Content deleted Content added
Added one of the main actors in the season
Tags: Visual edit Mobile edit Mobile web edit
 
(41 intermediate revisions by 28 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|American drama television series}}
{{Short description|2015 American drama television series}}
{{About|the TV series|other uses|Unreal (disambiguation){{!}}Unreal}}
{{About|the TV series|other uses|Unreal (disambiguation){{!}}Unreal}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2015}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2015}}
{{Infobox television
{{Infobox television
| name = Unreal
| image = UnReal lifetime logo.png
| image = UnReal lifetime logo.png
| caption =
| caption =
| genre = [[Drama (film and television)|Drama]]
| genre = [[Drama (modern genre)|Drama]]
| creator = [[Marti Noxon]]<br>[[Sarah Gertrude Shapiro]]
| based_on = {{Based on|''Sequin Raze''|Sarah Gertrude Shapiro}}<ref name="iwsequin">{{cite web|last1=Kizu|first1=Kyle|title=Lifetime's 'UnREAL': Watch The Short Film That Inspired the Hit Lifetime Series|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2016/06/unreal-sequin-raze-sarah-gertrude-shapiro-lifetime-afi-sxsw-1201685090/|website=IndieWire|access-date=23 February 2018|date=6 June 2016}}</ref>
| creator = [[Marti Noxon]]<br>[[Sarah Gertrude Shapiro]]
| starring = {{Plainlist|
| based_on = {{Based on|''Sequin Raze''|Sarah Gertrude Shapiro}}<ref name="iwsequin">{{cite web|last1=Kizu|first1=Kyle|title=Lifetime's 'UnREAL': Watch The Short Film That Inspired the Hit Lifetime Series|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2016/06/unreal-sequin-raze-sarah-gertrude-shapiro-lifetime-afi-sxsw-1201685090/|website=IndieWire|access-date=23 February 2018|date=6 June 2016}}</ref>
| starring = {{Plainlist|
* [[Shiri Appleby]]
* [[Shiri Appleby]]
* [[Craig Bierko]]
* [[Craig Bierko]]
Line 19: Line 18:
* [[Josh Kelly (actor)|Josh Kelly]]
* [[Josh Kelly (actor)|Josh Kelly]]
* [[Ashley Scott]]
* [[Ashley Scott]]
* Breeda Wool
* [[Breeda Wool]]
* [[Constance Zimmer]]
* [[Constance Zimmer]]
* B. J. Britt
* B. J. Britt
Line 38: Line 37:
* [[Natalie Hall]]
* [[Natalie Hall]]
* [[Meagan Holder]]
* [[Meagan Holder]]
* [[Alejandro Muñoz]]
* [[Alejandro Muñoz (actor)|Alejandro Muñoz]]
}}
}}
| theme_music_composer =
| theme_music_composer =
| opentheme =
| opentheme =
| endtheme =
| endtheme =
| composer = Fil Eisler
| composer = Fil Eisler
| country = United States
| country = United States
| language = English
| language = English
| num_seasons = 4
| num_seasons = 4
| num_episodes = 38
| num_episodes = 38
| list_episodes = List of Unreal episodes
| list_episodes = List of Unreal episodes
| executive_producer = Marti Noxon<br>Robert M. Sertner<br>Sarah Gertrude Shapiro<br>Bill Davenport<br>Sally DeSipio<br>[[Stacy Rukeyser]]
| executive_producer = Marti Noxon<br>Robert M. Sertner<br>Sarah Gertrude Shapiro<br>Bill Davenport<br>Sally DeSipio<br>[[Stacy Rukeyser]]
| producer =
| producer =
| location = [[Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada]]
| location = [[Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada]]
| cinematography =
| cinematography =
| runtime = 42 minutes
| runtime = 42 minutes
| company = [[A&E Networks#A&E Studios|A+E Studios]]<br>Wieden-Kennedy Entertainment<br>Tiny Pyro<br>Frank and Bob Films II
| company = [[A&E Networks#A&E Studios|A+E Studios]]<br>Wieden-Kennedy Entertainment<br>Tiny Pyro<br>Frank and Bob Films II
| channel = [[Lifetime (TV network)|Lifetime]] (2015–18)<br>[[Hulu]] (2018)
| network = [[Lifetime (TV network)|Lifetime]]
| picture_format =
| first_aired = {{Start date|2015|6|1}}
| first_aired = {{Start date|2015|6|1}}
| last_aired = {{End date|2018|4|23}}
| last_aired = {{End date|2018|7|16}}
| network2 = [[Hulu]]
| first_aired2 = {{Start date|2018|7|16}}
| website = http://www.mylifetime.com/shows/unreal
| website_title = Official website
}}
}}


'''''Unreal''''' (stylized as '''''UnREAL''''') is an American [[drama]] television series that premiered on [[Lifetime (TV network)|Lifetime]] on June 1, 2015.<ref name="TVbythenumbers 2015-03"/> It stars [[Shiri Appleby]] as a young [[reality television]] producer pushed by her unscrupulous boss ([[Constance Zimmer]]) to swallow her integrity and do anything it takes to drum up salacious show content. The show was created by [[Marti Noxon]] and [[Sarah Gertrude Shapiro]], and was inspired by Shapiro's award-winning independent short film ''Sequin Raze''.<ref name="iwsequin"/>
'''''Unreal''''' (stylized as '''''UnREAL''''') is an American [[drama (film and television)|drama]] television series that premiered on [[Lifetime (TV network)|Lifetime]] on June 1, 2015.<ref name="TVbythenumbers 2015-03"/> It stars [[Shiri Appleby]] as a young [[reality television]] producer pushed by her unscrupulous boss ([[Constance Zimmer]]) to swallow her integrity and do anything it takes to drum up salacious content for their dating reality show ''Everlasting''. The show was created by [[Marti Noxon]] and [[Sarah Gertrude Shapiro]], and was inspired by Shapiro's award-winning independent short film ''Sequin Raze''.<ref name="iwsequin"/>


On July 28, 2017, it was announced that ''Unreal'' has been renewed for a shortened fourth season of eight episodes.<ref name="Season4Renewal">{{cite web |last1=Roots |first1=Kimberly |title=UnREAL Renewed for Season 4 |url=http://tvline.com/2017/07/28/unreal-renewed-season-4-lifetime/ |website=TVLine |access-date=July 17, 2018 |date=July 28, 2018}}</ref> The fourth season completed production in January 2018 before the third season had aired.<ref name="SeasonFour">{{cite web|last1=Fernandez|first1=Maria Elena|title=Can UnREAL Rebound in Season 3?|url=https://www.vulture.com/2018/02/unreal-season-3-behind-the-scenes.html|website=Vulture|access-date=May 23, 2018|language=en|date=February 26, 2018}}</ref> By May 22, 2018, the fourth season had been acquired by [[Hulu]]. The streaming service distributed the series exclusively as a "Hulu Original" in the United States for a set period of time before the episodes aired on Lifetime.<ref name="Hulu">{{cite web|last1=Denise|first1=Petski|last2=Andreeva|first2=Nellie|title='UnReal' Moves To Hulu For Likely Final Season 4|url=https://deadline.com/2018/05/unreal-hulu-first-run-lifetime-season-4-1202395777/|website=Deadline|access-date=May 25, 2018|date=May 22, 2018}}</ref> On July 16, 2018, the fourth season was released on Hulu and it was confirmed that the season would be the series' last.<ref name="FinalSeason">{{cite web|last1=Petski|first1=Denise|title='UnReal': Final Season 4 Debuts On Hulu|url=https://deadline.com/2018/07/unreal-season-4-debuts-hulu-streaming-1202426618/|website=Deadline|access-date=July 16, 2018|date=July 16, 2018}}</ref>
On July 28, 2017, it was announced that ''Unreal'' has been renewed for a shortened fourth season of eight episodes.<ref name="Season4Renewal">{{cite web |last1=Roots |first1=Kimberly |title=UnREAL Renewed for Season 4 |url=http://tvline.com/2017/07/28/unreal-renewed-season-4-lifetime/ |website=TVLine |access-date=July 17, 2018 |date=July 28, 2018 |archive-date=July 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180718114512/https://tvline.com/2017/07/28/unreal-renewed-season-4-lifetime/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The fourth season completed production in January 2018 before the third season had aired.<ref name="SeasonFour">{{cite web|last1=Fernandez|first1=Maria Elena|title=Can UnREAL Rebound in Season 3?|url=https://www.vulture.com/2018/02/unreal-season-3-behind-the-scenes.html|website=Vulture|access-date=May 23, 2018|language=en|date=February 26, 2018}}</ref> By May 22, 2018, the fourth season had been acquired by [[Hulu]]. The streaming service distributed the series exclusively as a "Hulu Original" in the United States for a set period of time before the episodes aired on Lifetime.<ref name="Hulu">{{cite web|last1=Denise|first1=Petski|last2=Andreeva|first2=Nellie|title='UnReal' Moves To Hulu For Likely Final Season 4|url=https://deadline.com/2018/05/unreal-hulu-first-run-lifetime-season-4-1202395777/|website=Deadline|access-date=May 25, 2018|date=May 22, 2018}}</ref> On July 16, 2018, the fourth season was released on Hulu and it was confirmed that the season would be the series' last.<ref name="FinalSeason">{{cite web|last1=Petski|first1=Denise|title='UnReal': Final Season 4 Debuts On Hulu|url=https://deadline.com/2018/07/unreal-season-4-debuts-hulu-streaming-1202426618/|website=Deadline|access-date=July 16, 2018|date=July 16, 2018}}</ref>


==Plot==
==Plot==
Line 75: Line 73:
===Main===
===Main===
====Crew====
====Crew====
* [[Shiri Appleby]] as Rachel Goldberg, a producer on ''Everlasting'' who is brought back to the show by executive producer Quinn despite Rachel's breakdown during the previous season. Though conflicted by how she must lie to and manipulate the contestants, Rachel is a "closer" who thinks fast on her feet and knows exactly what needs to be done to create drama on the show. Meanwhile, she is drawn back to her ex-boyfriend Jeremy and finds herself getting close to the show's suitor Adam, but she later loses relationships to both of them. Rachel is later promoted to supervising producer, which is short-lived as Coleman is hired by the network as the new [[showrunner]].
* [[Shiri Appleby]] as Rachel Goldberg, a [[Television producer|producer]] on ''Everlasting'' who is brought back to the show by executive producer Quinn despite Rachel's breakdown during the previous season. Though conflicted by how she must lie to and manipulate the contestants, Rachel is a "closer" who thinks fast on her feet and knows exactly what needs to be done to create drama on the show. Meanwhile, she is drawn back to her ex-boyfriend Jeremy and finds herself getting close to the show's suitor Adam, but she later loses relationships to both of them. Rachel is later promoted to supervising producer, which is short-lived as Coleman is hired by the network as the new [[showrunner]].
* [[Constance Zimmer]] as Quinn King, ''Everlasting''{{'s}} scheming, demanding executive producer who pushes boundaries on the show to maximize ratings. She is having an affair with Chet, but their dysfunctional relationship is strained by his marriage and their work. She later gets promoted to [[showrunner]] until Chet returns, and their conflict results in the network hiring Coleman as the show's new EP and showrunner.
* [[Constance Zimmer]] as Quinn King, ''Everlasting''{{'s}} scheming, demanding [[executive producer]] who pushes boundaries on the show to maximize ratings. She is having an affair with Chet, but their dysfunctional relationship is strained by his marriage and their work. She later gets promoted to showrunner until Chet returns, and their conflict results in the network hiring Coleman as the show's new EP and showrunner.
* [[Craig Bierko]] as Chet Wilton, the eccentric and drug-using creator of ''Everlasting'' who is having a volatile affair with Quinn. His immaturity, vulgarity and callousness have given him a keen eye for what the audience wants, but his tremendous success has only fueled his self-destructive self-indulgence. He gets banned from work for his bad behavior behind-the-scenes, but later returns after adopting a healthier lifestyle, putting himself into direct conflict with Quinn. He also joins the [[men's liberation movement]], and enlists Jeremy as part of his cause. The following season he starts dating a swimsuit model named Crystal.
* [[Craig Bierko]] as Chet Wilton, the eccentric and drug-using [[Television program creator|creator]] of ''Everlasting'' who is having a volatile affair with Quinn. His immaturity, vulgarity and callousness have given him a keen eye for what the audience wants, but his tremendous success has only fueled his self-destructive self-indulgence. He gets banned from work for his bad behavior [[behind-the-scenes]], but later returns after adopting a healthier lifestyle, putting himself into direct conflict with Quinn. He also joins the [[men's liberation movement]], and enlists Jeremy as part of his cause. The following season, he starts dating a swimsuit model named Crystal.
* [[Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman]] as Jay Carter, a [[gay]] producer on ''Everlasting'' who is initially one of Rachel's only friends. He soon crosses Quinn, and becomes more willing to step over the line in order to ingratiate himself to Chet. He later becomes jealous of Rachel for her job promotion, and grows frustrated by competing against a newly promoted Madison. He later produces his own show, ''Passport to Dance''.
* [[Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman]] as Jay Carter, a [[gay]] producer on ''Everlasting'' who is initially one of Rachel's only friends. He soon crosses Quinn, and becomes more willing to step over the line in order to ingratiate himself to Chet. He later becomes jealous of Rachel for her job promotion, and grows frustrated by competing against a newly promoted Madison. He later produces his own show, ''Passport to Dance''.
* [[Josh Kelly (actor)|Josh Kelly]] as Jeremy Caner (seasons 1–3), a [[camera operator]] (later promoted to [[director of photography]]) on ''Everlasting'', and Rachel's ex-boyfriend. Formerly engaged to the show's make-up artist, Lizzie, he still has unresolved feelings for Rachel. He briefly gets back together with Rachel, but breaks up with her after he finds out that she cheated on him with Adam. He returns to work on the new season a bitter and angry drunk over having his heart broken by Rachel. He later kills Coleman and Yael in a car crash after he rigs Coleman's car, so that they wouldn't expose the show's past crimes committed by the producers. He returns to work the next season clean and sober after going to rehab and taking anger management classes. He later leaves at the end of the sixteenth season of ''Everlasting'' to leave behind the toxic environment of the show.
* [[Josh Kelly (actor)|Josh Kelly]] as Jeremy Caner (seasons 1–3), a [[camera operator]] (later promoted to [[director of photography]]) on ''Everlasting'', and Rachel's ex-boyfriend. Engaged to the show's [[make-up artist]], Lizzie, at the beginning of the series, he still has unresolved feelings for Rachel. He briefly gets back together with Rachel, but breaks up with her after he finds out that she cheated on him with Adam. He returns to work on the new season a bitter and angry drunk over having his heart broken by Rachel.
* [[Genevieve Buechner]] as Madison (seasons 3-4, recurring seasons 1–2), Quinn's meek production assistant who had oral sex with Chet and is later promoted to junior producer on ''Everlasting'', and later to Junior Vice President of Non-Scripted at the network, working under Fiona Berlin. Through the rapid progression in her career, she quickly learns to become more confident and conniving to get what she wants. As Vice President, she also produces her own show, ''#Adulting''.
* [[Genevieve Buechner]] as Madison (seasons 3-4, recurring seasons 1–2), Quinn's meek [[production assistant]] who had oral sex with Chet and is later promoted to junior producer on ''Everlasting'', and later to Junior Vice President of Non-Scripted at the network, working under Fiona Berlin. Through the rapid progression in her career, she quickly learns to become more confident and conniving to get what she wants. As Vice President, she also produces her own show, ''#Adulting''.
* [[Brennan Elliott]] as Graham (seasons 3-4, recurring seasons 1–2), the host of ''Everlasting''.
* [[Brennan Elliott]] as Graham (seasons 3-4, recurring seasons 1–2), the host of ''Everlasting''.
* Aline Elasmar as Shia (season 1), a producer on ''Everlasting'' who has a professional rivalry with Rachel. Initially earnest with her take on contestant storylines, she soon learns that she has to be more ruthless and manipulative—like Rachel—to compete and succeed. To this end, she gets Maya drunk and tampers with Mary's mood stabilizing medication, but loses control of the outcome.
* Aline Elasmar as Shia (season 1), a producer on ''Everlasting'' who has a professional rivalry with Rachel. Initially earnest with her take on contestant storylines, she soon learns that she has to be more ruthless and manipulative—like Rachel—to compete and succeed. To this end, she gets Maya drunk and tampers with Mary's mood stabilizing medication, but loses control of the outcome. She is sent home after the last of her assigned contestants quits.
* [[Michael Rady]] as Coleman Wasserman (season 2), an executive producer and new showrunner on ''Everlasting'' who was a documentary filmmaker prior to joining the show. He and Rachel become a couple and briefly date, but she worries when Coleman makes it clear he wants to destroy the show by publicly exposing its past crimes committed by the producers. He is later killed (along with Yael) by Jeremy when he rigs his car that crashes on the road.
* [[Michael Rady]] as Coleman Wasserman (season 2), an executive producer and new showrunner on ''Everlasting'' who was a [[Documentary film|documentary]] filmmaker prior to joining the show. He and Rachel become a couple and briefly date, but she worries when Coleman makes it clear he wants to destroy the show by publicly exposing its past crimes committed by the producers. He is later killed (along with Yael) by Jeremy when he rigs his car that crashes on the road.
*[[François Arnaud (actor)|Francois Arnaud]] as Tommy Castelli (season 4), a devious new producer on ''Everlasting'' who is brought in to handle the new games format for the show's All Stars season. He proves to be a match for Rachel's underhanded manipulation techniques, and eventually starts a relationship with her, leading to their engagement. In the series finale, Quinn scapegoats him as a rogue producer to protect Rachel.
*[[François Arnaud (actor)|Francois Arnaud]] as Tommy Castelli (season 4), a devious new producer on ''Everlasting'' who is brought in to handle the new games format for the show's All Stars season. He proves to be a match for Rachel's underhanded manipulation techniques, and eventually starts a relationship with her, leading to their engagement. In the series finale, Quinn scapegoats him as a rogue producer to protect Rachel.


====Suitor====
====Suitor====
* [[Freddie Stroma]] as Adam Cromwell (season 1; guest star season 2), a rich British playboy and the "suitor" on ''Everlasting''. He is reluctant to do the show, but is hoping the publicity will improve his "bad boy" reputation and help with his business ventures. As Adam becomes savvy to the producers' manipulations and what will make the show "better", he alternately plays along, and does some kindnesses to individual contestants. He also begins to develop an attraction to Rachel and has an affair with her, but it ultimately ends in heartbreak when he later finds out from her boss Quinn about her fragile mental health, and she convinces him to end his affair with Rachel. In season 2, Quinn briefly brings back Adam to participate as a consultant to the show's new suitor Darius in an episode on the new season of ''Everlasting'', and to try to ruin Rachel's budding romantic relationship with Coleman and to get back together with her, but is unsuccessful at doing so when she does not want to get back together with him after he broke her heart.
* [[Freddie Stroma]] as Adam Cromwell (season 1; guest star season 2), a rich British playboy and the "suitor" on ''Everlasting''. He is reluctant to do the show, but is hoping the publicity will improve his "bad boy" reputation and help with his business ventures. As Adam becomes savvy to the producers' manipulations and what will make the show "better", he alternately plays along, and does some kindnesses to individual contestants. He also begins to develop an attraction to Rachel and has an affair with her, but it ultimately ends in heartbreak when he later finds out from her boss Quinn about her fragile mental health, and she convinces him to end his affair with Rachel.
* [[B. J. Britt]] as Darius Beck (season 2), the first African-American suitor on ''Everlasting'' and a professional football player, who hopes that being on ''Everlasting'' will help polish his image after being involved in a [[public relations]] scandal.
* [[B. J. Britt]] as Darius Beck (season 2), the first African-American suitor on ''Everlasting'' and a professional football player, who hopes that being on ''Everlasting'' will help polish his image after being involved in a [[public relations]] scandal.
*[[Caitlin FitzGerald]] as Serena Wolcott (season 3), ''Everlasting'''s first female suitor who is a successful [[Silicon Valley]] [[venture capitalist]], who comes on the show to seek a husband when she is tired of being single.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvline.com/2016/11/03/unreal-season-3-female-suitor-serena-character-description/|title=UnREAL Season 3: Meet the Female Suitor and Some of Her Eligible Hunks|author=Kimberly Roots|work=TVLine|access-date=February 1, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvline.com/2017/01/19/unreal-season-3-caitlin-fitzgerald-cast-first-female-suitor-spoilers/|title=UnREAL Season 3: Caitlin FitzGerald Is Everlasting's First Female Suitor|author=Andy Swift|work=TVLine|access-date=February 1, 2017}}</ref>
*[[Caitlin FitzGerald]] as Serena Wolcott (season 3), ''Everlasting'''s first female suitor who is a successful [[Silicon Valley]] [[venture capitalist]], who comes on the show to seek a husband when she is tired of being single.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvline.com/2016/11/03/unreal-season-3-female-suitor-serena-character-description/|title=UnREAL Season 3: Meet the Female Suitor and Some of Her Eligible Hunks|author=Kimberly Roots|work=TVLine|date=November 3, 2016 |access-date=February 1, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvline.com/2017/01/19/unreal-season-3-caitlin-fitzgerald-cast-first-female-suitor-spoilers/|title=UnREAL Season 3: Caitlin FitzGerald Is Everlasting's First Female Suitor|author=Andy Swift|work=TVLine|date=January 19, 2017 |access-date=February 1, 2017}}</ref>


====Contestants====
====Contestants====
* [[Johanna Braddy]] as Anna Martin (season 1), a [[bulimic]] contestant who works as an attorney. She almost leaves ''Everlasting'' when her father dies, but she is coaxed back by Rachel with feigned assurances that she will likely win. She eventually wins Adam's heart and gets engaged to him, but later leaves him at the altar on their televised wedding day after she finds out from Rachel about Adam's affair with her off the set.
* [[Johanna Braddy]] as Anna Martin (season 1), a [[bulimic]] contestant who works as an attorney. She almost leaves ''Everlasting'' when her father dies, but she is coaxed back by Rachel with feigned assurances that she will likely win.
* [[Nathalie Kelley]] as Grace (season 1), a contestant who is a swimsuit model. She and Adam have an immediate sexual attraction, and though Quinn does not see her as an acceptable winner for the competition. Grace is determined to win, but she comes in second place, eventually losing to Anna.
* [[Nathalie Kelley]] as Grace (season 1), a contestant who is a swimsuit model. She and Adam have an immediate sexual attraction, although Quinn does not see her as an acceptable winner for the competition.
* [[Ashley Scott]] as Mary Newhouse (season 1), one of the oldest contestants who is a single mother with an abusive ex-husband. Quinn, finding Mary uninteresting, pushes her to step up her game, not knowing that Shia has tampered with Mary's mood stabilizing medication and given her alcohol. [[Bipolar disorder|Bipolar]] and struggling with [[post-traumatic stress disorder]], Mary begins to unravel under the pressure put on her by the manipulations of Rachel, Quinn, Shia, and Chet. She later commits suicide during the production of the show.
* [[Ashley Scott]] as Mary Newhouse (season 1), one of the oldest contestants who is a single mother with an abusive ex-husband. Quinn, finding Mary uninteresting, pushes her to step up her game, not knowing that Shia has tampered with Mary's mood stabilizing medication and given her alcohol. [[Bipolar disorder|Bipolar]] and struggling with [[post-traumatic stress disorder]], Mary begins to unravel under the pressure put on her by the manipulations of Rachel, Quinn, Shia, and Chet.
*[[Breeda Wool]] as Faith Duluth (season 1, guest season 4), a contestant who is a shy and insecure [[Christians|Christian]] virgin. Rachel later helps Faith realize that she is a [[lesbian]], and in love with her female best friend back in her hometown in [[Mississippi]].
*[[Breeda Wool]] as Faith Duluth (season 1, guest season 4), a contestant who is a shy and insecure [[Christians|Christian]] virgin.
* [[Monica Barbaro]] as Yael/"Hot Rachel" (season 2), a contestant who is an undercover reporter (posing as a [[fashion blogger]]), and who the crew labels as a more attractive, less damaged, sane version of Rachel. She, along with Coleman, is killed in a car crash after Jeremy rigs Coleman's car to prevent him from exposing the show's past crimes committed by the producers.
* [[Monica Barbaro]] as Yael/"Hot Rachel" (season 2), a contestant who is an undercover reporter (posing as a [[fashion blogger]]), and who the crew labels as a more attractive, less damaged, sane version of Rachel.
* [[Denée Benton]] as Ruby Carter (season 2), an outspoken [[Black Lives Matter]] activist who joins ''Everlasting'' looking to use the show to promote her message and, against all odds, falls in love and ends up with Darius.
* [[Denée Benton]] as Ruby Carter (season 2), an outspoken [[Black Lives Matter]] activist who joins ''Everlasting'' looking to use the show to promote her message and, against all odds, falls in love and ends up with Darius.
* [[Kim Matula]] as Tiffany James (season 2), a contestant who is the wealthy daughter of an [[NFL]] team owner who hopes that being on ''Everlasting'' will help her step out of her father's shadow.
* [[Kim Matula]] as Tiffany James (season 2), a contestant who is the wealthy daughter of an [[NFL]] team owner who hopes that being on ''Everlasting'' will help her step out of her father's shadow.
* [[Meagan Tandy]] as Chantal (season 2), a contestant who is a beautiful and sophisticated southern [[debutante]] who is recovering from the death of her fiancé.
* [[Meagan Tandy]] as Chantal (season 2), a contestant who is a beautiful and sophisticated southern [[debutante]] who is recovering from the death of her fiancé.
* [[Bart Edwards]] as Jasper Hunt (season 3), a contestant who is a successful [[Wall Street]] [[investment banker]] who seems like he will make the perfect [[power couple]] with Serena.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/tv/2017/01/27/unreal-meet-the-suitors-of-season-3/|author=Shirley Li|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|title=UnREAL: Meet Everlasting's new suitors of season 3|access-date=February 1, 2017}}</ref>
*
* [[Bart Edwards]] as Jasper Hunt (season 3), a contestant who is a successful [[Wall Street]] [[investment banker]] who seems like he will make the perfect [[power couple]] with Serena.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ew.com/tv/2017/01/27/unreal-meet-the-suitors-of-season-3/|author=Shirley Li|work=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|title=UnREAL: Meet Everlasting's new suitors of season 3|access-date=February 1, 2017}}</ref>
* [[Alex Hernandez (actor)|Alex Hernandez]] as Owen Boyd (season 3), a contestant who is a [[firefighter]] and a single father looking for love.<ref name="Shirley Li">{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/tv/2017/01/27/unreal-meet-the-suitors-of-season-3/|author=Shirley Li|title=UnREAL: Meet Everlasting's new suitors of season 3|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|access-date=February 1, 2017}}</ref>
* [[Alex Hernandez (actor)|Alex Hernandez]] as Owen Boyd (season 3), a contestant who is a [[firefighter]] and a single father looking for love.<ref name="Shirley Li">{{cite web|url=https://ew.com/tv/2017/01/27/unreal-meet-the-suitors-of-season-3/|author=Shirley Li|title=UnREAL: Meet Everlasting's new suitors of season 3|work=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|access-date=February 1, 2017}}</ref>
*[[Adam Demos]] as August Walker (seasons 3-4), a contestant who was a [[surfer]] who joined the [[Peace Corps]] to save the world. He returns for the show's All Stars season.
*[[Adam Demos]] as August Walker (seasons 3-4), a contestant who was a [[surfer]] who joined the [[Peace Corps]] to save the world. He returns for the show's All Stars season.
*[[Alex Sparrow]] as Alexi Petrov (season 3, recurring season 4), a secretly gay contestant who is a "bad boy" [[ballet dancer]] and an ostensibly recovering [[cocaine]] addict. He returns for the show's All Stars season, and stars on Jay's new reality show ''Passport to Dance''.
*[[Alex Sparrow]] as Alexi Petrov (season 3, recurring season 4), a secretly bisexual contestant who is a "bad boy" [[ballet dancer]] and an ostensibly recovering [[cocaine]] addict. He returns for the show's All Stars season, and stars on Jay's new reality show ''Passport to Dance''.
*[[Natalie Hall]] as Candy Coco (season 4), an outspoken contestant who is a single mother and stripper. Although she had never been on the show before, she is invited to All Stars by Quinn as a cross-promotional tactic to market another reality show she's set to star in, ''Stripper Queens'', under the pretense of her being a superfan of ''Everlasting''.
*[[Natalie Hall]] as Candy Coco (season 4), an outspoken contestant who is a single mother and stripper. Although she had never been on the show before, she is invited to All Stars by Quinn as a cross-promotional tactic to market another reality show she's set to star in, ''Stripper Queens'', under the pretense of her being a superfan of ''Everlasting''.
*[[Meagan Holder]] as Noelle Jackson (season 4), a fan favorite All Stars contestant who had previously been runner up on her original season. She hopes to have a second chance with her original season's suitor, Rodrigo, who is also set to be on All Stars.
*[[Meagan Holder]] as Noelle Jackson (season 4), a fan favorite All Stars contestant who had previously been runner up on her original season. She hopes to have a second chance with her original season's suitor, Rodrigo, who is also set to be on All Stars.
Line 115: Line 112:
* [[Amy Hill]] as Dr. Hillary Wagerstein (seasons 1–2), a therapist employed by the show who feeds the producers personal information about the contestants to better manipulate dramatic moments from them.
* [[Amy Hill]] as Dr. Hillary Wagerstein (seasons 1–2), a therapist employed by the show who feeds the producers personal information about the contestants to better manipulate dramatic moments from them.
* [[Martin Cummins]] as Brad (seasons 1–2), an executive at the network that airs ''Everlasting'', who was later fired by the network after Chet returned to work.
* [[Martin Cummins]] as Brad (seasons 1–2), an executive at the network that airs ''Everlasting'', who was later fired by the network after Chet returned to work.
* [[Mimi Kuzyk]] as Dr. Olive Goldberg, Rachel's overprotective psychiatrist mother.
* [[Mimi Kuzyk]] as Dr. Olive Goldberg(seasons 1–3), Rachel's controlling psychiatrist mother.
* [[Donavon Stinson]] as Dan, the [[assistant director]] of ''Everlasting''.
* [[Donavon Stinson]] as Dan, the [[assistant director]] of ''Everlasting''.
* [[Christopher Cousins]] as Gary Taylor (season 2–3), the president of the television network that airs ''Everlasting''.
* [[Christopher Cousins]] as Gary Taylor (season 2–3), the president of the television network that airs ''Everlasting''.
Line 123: Line 120:


====Season 1====
====Season 1====
* [[Arielle Kebbel]] as Britney, a contestant whom Quinn brands "the villain" and is one of the first eliminated from ''Everlasting''.
* [[Arielle Kebbel]] as Britney, a contestant whom Quinn brands "the villain" and is one of the first eliminated from ''Everlasting''. Chet brings her back for the finale as a wild card.
* [[Siobhan Williams]] as Lizzie, a [[make-up artist]] on ''Everlasting'' and Jeremy's former fiancée.
* [[Siobhan Williams]] as Lizzie, a [[make-up artist]] on ''Everlasting'' and Jeremy's fiancée until he breaks up with her on realising he still has feelings for Rachel.
* [[Christie Laing]] as Shamiqua, a contestant who is a clerk for a Supreme Court Justice.
* [[Christie Laing]] as Shamiqua, a contestant who is a clerk for a Supreme Court Justice.
* [[J. R. Bourne]] as Bill DeYoung, Quinn's former writing partner and ex-boyfriend, who is a recovering alcoholic.
* [[J. R. Bourne]] as Bill DeYoung, Quinn's former writing partner and ex-boyfriend, who is a recovering alcoholic.
Line 131: Line 128:
* Graeme McComb as Sam, the assistant director of ''Everlasting''.
* Graeme McComb as Sam, the assistant director of ''Everlasting''.
* [[Andrea Brooks]] as Tanya, a contestant on Everlasting.
* [[Andrea Brooks]] as Tanya, a contestant on Everlasting.
* Natasha Burnett as Athena, a contestant on Everlasting
* Natasha Burnett as Athena, a contestant on Everlasting who is hoping to use the publicity to open a salon. Jay encourages her to play up to the "black bitch" stereotype in order to get noticed.


====Season 2====
====Season 2====
*BJ Britt as Darius, the “suitor” -a well known African-American football player who is trying to save his image after a soured interview with a reporter.
* [[Ioan Gruffudd]] as John Booth, an optimistic and adventurous tech billionaire who owns the television network that airs ''Everlasting''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2016/tv/news/ioan-gruffudd-unreal-season-2-cast-lifetime-1201752718/|title=Ioan Gruffudd Cast in ''UnReal'' Season 2|author=Elizabeth Wagmeister|work=Variety|access-date=May 10, 2016}}</ref>
* [[Ioan Gruffudd]] as John Booth, an optimistic and adventurous tech billionaire who owns the television network that airs ''Everlasting''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2016/tv/news/ioan-gruffudd-unreal-season-2-cast-lifetime-1201752718/|title=Ioan Gruffudd Cast in ''UnReal'' Season 2|author=Elizabeth Wagmeister|work=Variety|date=April 13, 2016 |access-date=May 10, 2016}}</ref>
* Karissa Tynes as Jameson, a contestant who is a police officer dedicated to her job, but she hopes that her chemistry with Darius will help fill the missing void in her love life.<ref name=5cast/>
* Karissa Tynes as Jameson, a contestant who is a police officer dedicated to her job, but she hopes that her chemistry with Darius will help fill the missing void in her love life.<ref name=5cast/>
* Lindsay Musil as Beth Ann, a contestant from a small town in [[Alabama]] who speaks her mind without a filter, and is cast on the show to stir up controversy.<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=https://www.ew.com/article/2016/03/07/unreal-season-2-cast|title=UnREAL adds Bruce Davison, Christopher Cousins, and Lindsay Musil to season 2 — exclusive - EW.com|author=Dylan Kickham|work=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=March 7, 2016}}</ref>
* Lindsay Musil as Beth Ann, a contestant from a small town in [[Alabama]] who speaks her mind without a filter, and is cast on the show to stir up controversy.<ref name="auto">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.ew.com/article/2016/03/07/unreal-season-2-cast|title=UnREAL adds Bruce Davison, Christopher Cousins, and Lindsay Musil to season 2 — exclusive - EW.com|author=Dylan Kickham|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=March 7, 2016}}</ref>
* [[Monique Ganderton]] as Brandi, a shy contestant who overcame a traumatic past to become a [[mixed martial arts]] fighter.<ref name=5cast>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2016/03/unreal-monique-ganderton-jessica-sipos-season-2-cast-1201720043/|title='UnReal': Monique Ganderton & Jessica Sipos, More Join Lifetime Series|author=Denise Petski|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=March 14, 2016}}</ref>
* [[Monique Ganderton]] as Brandi, a shy contestant who overcame a traumatic past to become a [[mixed martial arts]] fighter.<ref name=5cast>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2016/03/unreal-monique-ganderton-jessica-sipos-season-2-cast-1201720043/|title='UnReal': Monique Ganderton & Jessica Sipos, More Join Lifetime Series|author=Denise Petski|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=March 14, 2016 |access-date=March 14, 2016}}</ref>
* [[Elizabeth Whitmere]] as Dominique, a contestant who is a professional basketball player and a serious contender for Darius since they have a lot in common as professional athletes.<ref name=5cast/>
* Elizabeth Whitmere as Dominique, a contestant who is a professional basketball player and a serious contender for Darius since they have a lot in common as professional athletes.<ref name=5cast/>
* Jessica Sipos as Hayley, a contestant who is a physical therapist and is sexually adventurous, loves yoga, and is a [[healer (alternative medicine)|healer]].<ref name=5cast/>
* [[Jessica Sipos]] as Hayley, a contestant who is a physical therapist and is sexually adventurous, loves yoga, and is a [[healer (alternative medicine)|healer]].<ref name=5cast/>
* [[Sunita Prasad]] as London, a contestant who is an engineer with a conservative personality who joins the cast of ''Everlasting'' to explore her wild side.<ref name=5cast/>
* [[Sunita Prasad]] as London, a contestant who is an engineer with a conservative personality who joins the cast of ''Everlasting'' to explore her wild side.<ref name=5cast/>


Line 147: Line 145:
* [[Terry Chen]] as Guy Moretti, a contestant who is a tattooed [[chef]] who is looking for any way to get ahead on ''Everlasting''.<ref name="Shirley Li"/>
* [[Terry Chen]] as Guy Moretti, a contestant who is a tattooed [[chef]] who is looking for any way to get ahead on ''Everlasting''.<ref name="Shirley Li"/>
* [[Marcus Rosner]] as Warren Johnson, a contestant who is a [[rancher]] with a [[cowboy]] attitude.<ref name="Shirley Li"/>
* [[Marcus Rosner]] as Warren Johnson, a contestant who is a [[rancher]] with a [[cowboy]] attitude.<ref name="Shirley Li"/>
*[[Chelsea Hobbs]] as Charlie, a [[camera assistant]] on ''Everlasting'' and Jeremy's girlfriend.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/01/chelsea-hobbs-unreal-kurt-krause-american-crime-1201897018/|author=Denise Petski|title=Chelsea Hobbs Joins 'UnReal'; Kurt Krause In 'American Crime'|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=February 1, 2017}}</ref>
*[[Chelsea Hobbs]] as Charlie, a [[camera assistant]] on ''Everlasting'' and Jeremy's girlfriend.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/01/chelsea-hobbs-unreal-kurt-krause-american-crime-1201897018/|author=Denise Petski|title=Chelsea Hobbs Joins 'UnReal'; Kurt Krause In 'American Crime'|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=January 30, 2017 |access-date=February 1, 2017}}</ref>
* [[Kassandra Clementi]] as Crystal, a [[swimsuit model]] and Chet's girlfriend.<ref name="Denise Petski">{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/01/unreal-kassandra-clementi-jaime-callica-season-3-cast-lifetime-series-1201895140/|author=Denise Petski|title=''UnReal'': Kassandra Clementi & Jaime Callica Join Season 3 Of Lifetime Series|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=February 1, 2017}}</ref>
* [[Kassandra Clementi]] as Crystal, a [[swimsuit model]] and Chet's girlfriend.<ref name="Denise Petski">{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/01/unreal-kassandra-clementi-jaime-callica-season-3-cast-lifetime-series-1201895140/|author=Denise Petski|title=''UnReal'': Kassandra Clementi & Jaime Callica Join Season 3 Of Lifetime Series|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=January 26, 2017 |access-date=February 1, 2017}}</ref>
* [[Tyler Hynes]] as Billy Byrd, a contestant who is a race car driver who lives by his own traditional and conservative values.<ref name="Shirley Li"/>
* [[Tyler Hynes]] as Billy Byrd, a contestant who is a race car driver who lives by his own traditional and conservative values.<ref name="Shirley Li"/>
* [[Cameron Bancroft (actor)|Cameron Bancroft]] as Preston Palmer, an older contestant who is a [[Miami]] [[real estate]] [[tycoon]].<ref name="Shirley Li"/>
* [[Cameron Bancroft (actor)|Cameron Bancroft]] as Preston Palmer, an older contestant who is a [[Miami]] [[real estate]] [[tycoon]].<ref name="Shirley Li"/>
Line 169: Line 167:
==Production==
==Production==
===Development===
===Development===
On July 30, 2013, [[Lifetime (TV network)|Lifetime]] placed a pilot order on ''Unreal'', inspired by [[Sarah Gertrude Shapiro]]'s award-winning independent short film ''Sequin Raze''.<ref name="Deadline 2013-07">{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2013/07/lifetime-orders-marti-noxon-drama-pilot-based-on-indie-short-sequin-raze-553206/ |title=Lifetime Orders Marti Noxon Drama Pilot Based On Indie Short ''Sequin Raze'' |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=July 30, 2013 |access-date=February 9, 2014}}</ref> Shapiro had previously worked at the American reality dating series ''[[The Bachelor (U.S. TV series)|The Bachelor]]''.<ref name="EW 2015-01 Blake">{{cite web |url=https://www.ew.com/article/2015/01/09/unreal-trailer |title=Lifetime's ''UnReal'' pulls the curtain on reality TV |first=Emily |last=Blake |work=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |date=January 9, 2015 |access-date=June 10, 2015}}</ref> The pilot was written by [[Marti Noxon]] and Shapiro, and directed by [[Peter O'Fallon]].<ref name="Deadline 2013-07"/> On February 6, 2014, Lifetime officially green-lit ''Un-Real'' with a 10-episode series order.<ref name="Zap2it 2014-02">{{cite web|url=http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2014/02/lifetime-picks-up-buffy-ep-marti-noxons-un-real-to-series.html|title=Lifetime picks up ''Buffy'' EP Marti Noxon's ''Un-Real'' to series|date=February 6, 2014|last=Porter|first=Rick|publisher=[[Zap2it.com]]|access-date=January 21, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140305081219/http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2014/02/lifetime-picks-up-buffy-ep-marti-noxons-un-real-to-series.html|archive-date=March 5, 2014|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref name="Deadline 2014-02">{{cite web|url=https://www.deadline.com/2014/02/lifetime-marti-noxon-drama-un-real-series/|title=Lifetime Picks Up Marti Noxon's Dark Comedy Pilot ''Un-Real'' To Series|date=February 6, 2014|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=January 21, 2015}}</ref> In March 2015, the premiere date was announced as June 1, 2015.<ref name="TVbythenumbers 2015-03">{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/03/16/scripted-drama-unreal-to-premiere-monday-june-1-on-lifetime/375463/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150319214810/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/03/16/scripted-drama-unreal-to-premiere-monday-june-1-on-lifetime/375463/|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 19, 2015|title=Scripted Drama ''UnREAL'' to Premiere Monday, June 1 on Lifetime|date=March 16, 2015|last=Bibel|first=Sara|publisher=[[TV by the Numbers]]|access-date=March 16, 2015}}</ref> On July 6, 2015, the series was renewed for a second season of 10 episodes, to premiere in 2016.<ref name="Season 2 renew">{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/lifetime-renews-unreal-second-season-806927 |title=Lifetime Renews ''Unreal'' for Second Season |work=The Hollywood Reporter |first=Michael |last=O'Connell |date=July 6, 2015 |access-date=July 6, 2015}}</ref> The second season continued to feature the fictional show, ''Everlasting,'' with Quinn and Rachel returning as main characters.<ref name=Yahoo-PaleyLive-UnREAL-2015>{{cite news|last1=Paley Center for Media|author-link=Paley Center for Media|title=PaleyLive: An Evening with the Cast & Creators of UnREAL|url=https://screen.yahoo.com/popular/paleylive-evening-cast-creators-unreal-160000845.html|access-date=1 August 2015|work=[[Yahoo!]]|date=30 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151019104937/https://screen.yahoo.com/popular/paleylive-evening-cast-creators-unreal-160000845.html|archive-date=October 19, 2015|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
On July 30, 2013, [[Lifetime (TV network)|Lifetime]] placed a pilot order on ''Unreal'', inspired by [[Sarah Gertrude Shapiro]]'s award-winning independent short film ''Sequin Raze''.<ref name="Deadline 2013-07">{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2013/07/lifetime-orders-marti-noxon-drama-pilot-based-on-indie-short-sequin-raze-553206/ |title=Lifetime Orders Marti Noxon Drama Pilot Based On Indie Short ''Sequin Raze'' |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=July 30, 2013 |access-date=February 9, 2014}}</ref> Shapiro had previously worked at the American reality dating series ''[[The Bachelor (American TV series)|The Bachelor]]''.<ref name="EW 2015-01 Blake">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.ew.com/article/2015/01/09/unreal-trailer |title=Lifetime's ''UnReal'' pulls the curtain on reality TV |first=Emily |last=Blake |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |date=January 9, 2015 |access-date=June 10, 2015}}</ref> The pilot was written by [[Marti Noxon]] and Shapiro, and directed by [[Peter O'Fallon]].<ref name="Deadline 2013-07"/> On February 6, 2014, Lifetime officially green-lit ''Un-Real'' with a 10-episode series order.<ref name="Zap2it 2014-02">{{cite web|url=http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2014/02/lifetime-picks-up-buffy-ep-marti-noxons-un-real-to-series.html|title=Lifetime picks up ''Buffy'' EP Marti Noxon's ''Un-Real'' to series|date=February 6, 2014|last=Porter|first=Rick|publisher=[[Zap2it.com]]|access-date=January 21, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140305081219/http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2014/02/lifetime-picks-up-buffy-ep-marti-noxons-un-real-to-series.html|archive-date=March 5, 2014|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref name="Deadline 2014-02">{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2014/02/lifetime-marti-noxon-drama-un-real-series-678551/|title=Lifetime Picks Up Marti Noxon's Dark Comedy Pilot ''Un-Real'' To Series|date=February 6, 2014|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=January 21, 2015}}</ref> In March 2015, the premiere date was announced as June 1, 2015.<ref name="TVbythenumbers 2015-03">{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/03/16/scripted-drama-unreal-to-premiere-monday-june-1-on-lifetime/375463/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150319214810/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/03/16/scripted-drama-unreal-to-premiere-monday-june-1-on-lifetime/375463/|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 19, 2015|title=Scripted Drama ''UnREAL'' to Premiere Monday, June 1 on Lifetime|date=March 16, 2015|last=Bibel|first=Sara|publisher=[[TV by the Numbers]]|access-date=March 16, 2015}}</ref> On July 6, 2015, the series was renewed for a second season of 10 episodes, to premiere in 2016.<ref name="Season 2 renew">{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/lifetime-renews-unreal-second-season-806927 |title=Lifetime Renews ''Unreal'' for Second Season |work=The Hollywood Reporter |first=Michael |last=O'Connell |date=July 6, 2015 |access-date=July 6, 2015}}</ref> The second season continued to feature the fictional show, ''Everlasting,'' with Quinn and Rachel returning as main characters.<ref name=Yahoo-PaleyLive-UnREAL-2015>{{cite news|last1=Paley Center for Media|author-link=Paley Center for Media|title=PaleyLive: An Evening with the Cast & Creators of UnREAL|url=https://screen.yahoo.com/popular/paleylive-evening-cast-creators-unreal-160000845.html|access-date=1 August 2015|work=[[Yahoo!]]|date=30 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151019104937/https://screen.yahoo.com/popular/paleylive-evening-cast-creators-unreal-160000845.html|archive-date=October 19, 2015|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref>


===Casting===
===Casting===
Casting announcements began in September 2013, with [[Shiri Appleby]] first cast in the lead role of Rachel Goldberg, the young staffer working on the reality dating competition.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvline.com/2013/09/23/supernatural-season-9-poster-the-fall/|title=TVLine Items: New Supernatural Poster Revealed, Shiri Appleby Joins Buffy Vet's Pilot and More!|date=September 20, 2013|last=Masters|first=Megan |publisher=[[TVLine]] |access-date=February 9, 2014}}</ref> [[Freddie Stroma]] was the next actor cast in the series, in the role of Adam Cromwell, the smart and wealthy bachelor on the dating series.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/harry-potter-alum-books-unreal-639238|title=''Harry Potter'' Alum Books ''Unreal'' Work for Lifetime (Exclusive)|date=September 30, 2013|last=Goldberg|first=Lesley|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|access-date=February 9, 2014}}</ref> Shortly after, [[Josh Kelly (actor)|Josh Kelly]] signed onto the series regular role of Jeremy, Rachel's ex-boyfriend who also works as a cameraman on the reality dating series.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.deadline.com/2013/10/josh-kelly-books-lifetime-pilot-unreal-grainger-in-cinemax-series-the-knick/|title=Josh Kelly Books Lifetime Pilot ''Unreal'', Grainger Hines Joins Cinemax's ''The Knick''|date=October 1, 2013 |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=February 9, 2014}}</ref> Breeda Wool was then added to the cast for the role of Faith, one of the contestants on the series.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/secret-life-alum-star-lifetimes-650222|title=''Secret Life'' Alum to Co-Star in Lifetime's ''Unreal'' (Exclusive) |last=Goldberg |first=Lesley |work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=October 22, 2013|access-date=February 9, 2014}}</ref> In early-November, [[Megyn Price]], [[Nathalie Kelley]] and [[Johanna Braddy]] joined the show's cast. Price signed onto the role of Quinn King, the controlling executive producer on the reality series; Kelley joined in the role of Grace, an eco-swimwear designer/model and contestant on the series; and Braddy set as Anna, a type-A control freak and attorney who is also a contestant on the series. [[Ashley Scott]] was later cast in the role of Mary, the single mother of a 4-year-old daughter who joins the series hoping to find love.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/lifetimes-shiri-appleby-drama-pilot-654288 |title=Lifetime's Shiri Appleby Drama Pilot Adds ''Jericho'' Alum |first=Philiana |last=Ng |date=November 7, 2013 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=June 10, 2015}}</ref> In June 2014, Price was replaced by [[Constance Zimmer]] as Quinn.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.deadline.com/2014/06/constance-zimmer-star-lifetime-series-un-real/|title=Constance Zimmer To Star In New Lifetime Series ''Un-Real''|first=Nellie |last=Andreeva |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=June 2, 2014|access-date=May 9, 2015}}</ref> On July 22, 2014, it was announced that [[Craig Bierko]] has been cast as a character named Chet, who is the reality dating show's creator.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.deadline.com/2014/07/craig-bierko-to-star-in-un-real-michael-irby-joins-the-lottery-lifetime/|title=Craig Bierko To Star In New Lifetime Series ''Un-Real'', Michael Irby Joins ''The Lottery'' |author=Nellie Andreeva |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=July 22, 2014 |access-date=May 9, 2015}}</ref> On August 8, 2014, it was announced that [[J. R. Bourne]] and [[Siobhan Williams]] were both cast on the show in recurring roles, Bourne as Quinn's recovering drug addict ex-boyfriend and former writing partner, and Williams as ''Everlasting''{{'s}} new make-up artist who is also Jeremy's fiancée.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://beta.deadline.com/2014/08/jr-bourne-siobhan-williams-lifetime-un-real/|title=JR Bourne & Siobhan Williams Join Lifetime's ''Un-Real'' |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=August 8, 2014 |access-date=May 9, 2015}}</ref>
Casting announcements began in September 2013, with [[Shiri Appleby]] first cast in the lead role of Rachel Goldberg, the young staffer working on the reality dating competition.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvline.com/2013/09/23/supernatural-season-9-poster-the-fall/|title=TVLine Items: New Supernatural Poster Revealed, Shiri Appleby Joins Buffy Vet's Pilot and More!|date=September 20, 2013|last=Masters|first=Megan |publisher=[[TVLine]] |access-date=February 9, 2014}}</ref> [[Freddie Stroma]] was the next actor cast in the series, in the role of Adam Cromwell, the smart and wealthy bachelor on the dating series.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/harry-potter-alum-books-unreal-639238|title=''Harry Potter'' Alum Books ''Unreal'' Work for Lifetime (Exclusive)|date=September 30, 2013|last=Goldberg|first=Lesley|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|access-date=February 9, 2014}}</ref> Shortly after, [[Josh Kelly (actor)|Josh Kelly]] signed onto the series regular role of Jeremy, Rachel's ex-boyfriend who also works as a cameraman on the reality dating series.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2013/10/josh-kelly-books-lifetime-pilot-unreal-grainger-in-cinemax-series-the-knick-600313/|title=Josh Kelly Books Lifetime Pilot ''Unreal'', Grainger Hines Joins Cinemax's ''The Knick''|date=October 1, 2013 |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=February 9, 2014}}</ref> Breeda Wool was then added to the cast for the role of Faith, one of the contestants on the series.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/secret-life-alum-star-lifetimes-650222|title=''Secret Life'' Alum to Co-Star in Lifetime's ''Unreal'' (Exclusive) |last=Goldberg |first=Lesley |work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=October 22, 2013|access-date=February 9, 2014}}</ref> In early-November, [[Megyn Price]], [[Nathalie Kelley]] and [[Johanna Braddy]] joined the show's cast. Price signed onto the role of Quinn King, the controlling executive producer on the reality series; Kelley joined in the role of Grace, an eco-swimwear designer/model and contestant on the series; and Braddy set as Anna, a type-A control freak and attorney who is also a contestant on the series. [[Ashley Scott]] was later cast in the role of Mary, the single mother of a 4-year-old daughter who joins the series hoping to find love.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/lifetimes-shiri-appleby-drama-pilot-654288 |title=Lifetime's Shiri Appleby Drama Pilot Adds ''Jericho'' Alum |first=Philiana |last=Ng |date=November 7, 2013 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=June 10, 2015}}</ref> In June 2014, Price was replaced by [[Constance Zimmer]] as Quinn.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2014/06/constance-zimmer-star-lifetime-series-un-real-739311/|title=Constance Zimmer To Star In New Lifetime Series ''Un-Real''|first=Nellie |last=Andreeva |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=June 2, 2014|access-date=May 9, 2015}}</ref> On July 22, 2014, it was announced that [[Craig Bierko]] has been cast as a character named Chet, who is the reality dating show's creator.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2014/07/craig-bierko-to-star-in-un-real-michael-irby-joins-the-lottery-lifetime-807907/|title=Craig Bierko To Star In New Lifetime Series ''Un-Real'', Michael Irby Joins ''The Lottery'' |author=Nellie Andreeva |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=July 22, 2014 |access-date=May 9, 2015}}</ref> On August 8, 2014, it was announced that [[J. R. Bourne]] and [[Siobhan Williams]] were both cast on the show in recurring roles, Bourne as Quinn's recovering drug addict ex-boyfriend and former writing partner, and Williams as ''Everlasting''{{'s}} new make-up artist who is also Jeremy's fiancée.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://beta.deadline.com/2014/08/jr-bourne-siobhan-williams-lifetime-un-real/ |title=JR Bourne & Siobhan Williams Join Lifetime's ''Un-Real'' |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=August 8, 2014 |access-date=May 9, 2015 }}{{dead link|date=November 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>


==Distribution==
==Distribution==
Line 179: Line 177:


In July 2017, it was announced that the series has been renewed for fourth season<ref name="Season4Renewal"/> that completed production in January 2018 before the third season had aired.<ref name="SeasonFour"/> On May 22, 2018, it was reported that the fourth season had been acquired by [[Hulu]]. The streaming service would distribute the series exclusively as a "Hulu Original" in the United States for a set period of time before the episodes are to air on Lifetime.<ref name="Hulu"/> On July 16, 2018, the fourth season was released on Hulu.<ref name="FinalSeason"/>
In July 2017, it was announced that the series has been renewed for fourth season<ref name="Season4Renewal"/> that completed production in January 2018 before the third season had aired.<ref name="SeasonFour"/> On May 22, 2018, it was reported that the fourth season had been acquired by [[Hulu]]. The streaming service would distribute the series exclusively as a "Hulu Original" in the United States for a set period of time before the episodes are to air on Lifetime.<ref name="Hulu"/> On July 16, 2018, the fourth season was released on Hulu.<ref name="FinalSeason"/>
In 2024 it streamed on Netflix


===International===
===International===
Line 187: Line 186:
In [[Israel]] the show airs on [[yes Drama]] channel and on Cellcom TV.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Handelzalts|first1=Michael|title=In Reality, 'UnReal' Shows Who Really Runs the Show|url=https://www.haaretz.com/life/television/.premium-in-reality-unreal-shows-who-really-runs-the-show-1.5425894|website=Haaretz|access-date=23 February 2018|language=en|date=19 August 2016}}</ref> In India, the show airs on [[Star World]].<ref>{{cite web|title='Unreal' season 2 to take on gender and equality based issues|url=http://www.indiantelevision.com/television/tv-channels/english-entertainment/unreal-season-2-to-take-on-gender-and-equality-based-issues-160309|website=Indian Television Dot Com|access-date=23 February 2018|language=en|date=9 March 2016}}</ref>
In [[Israel]] the show airs on [[yes Drama]] channel and on Cellcom TV.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Handelzalts|first1=Michael|title=In Reality, 'UnReal' Shows Who Really Runs the Show|url=https://www.haaretz.com/life/television/.premium-in-reality-unreal-shows-who-really-runs-the-show-1.5425894|website=Haaretz|access-date=23 February 2018|language=en|date=19 August 2016}}</ref> In India, the show airs on [[Star World]].<ref>{{cite web|title='Unreal' season 2 to take on gender and equality based issues|url=http://www.indiantelevision.com/television/tv-channels/english-entertainment/unreal-season-2-to-take-on-gender-and-equality-based-issues-160309|website=Indian Television Dot Com|access-date=23 February 2018|language=en|date=9 March 2016}}</ref>


In [[Spain]], the show airs on the channel ATRESERIES, owned by the network [[Atresmedia]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.formulatv.com/noticias/54028/fecha-estreno-unreal-atreseries-espanol/}}</ref>
In [[Spain]], the show airs on the channel ATRESERIES, owned by the network [[Atresmedia]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.formulatv.com/noticias/54028/fecha-estreno-unreal-atreseries-espanol/|title='UnReal' ya tiene fecha y hora de estreno en Atreseries |date=March 4, 2016 }}</ref>


==Concept and characterization==
==Concept and characterization==
''Unreal'' is set [[Making-of|behind the scenes]] of ''Everlasting'', a fictional reality dating series operating similarly to ''The Bachelor''.<ref name="TVbythenumbers 2015-03"/><ref name="EW 2015-01 Blake"/> Dalene Rovenstine of ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' wrote, "''UnREAL'' has comic moments, but is also twisty and dark in a way you hope isn’t reflected by real-life reality shows."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ew.com/article/2015/05/18/lifetime-unreal-exclusive-first-look |title=Lifetime's drama ''UnREAL'' shows a twisty take on reality show dating |first=Dalene |last=Rovenstine |work=Entertainment Weekly |date=May 18, 2015 |access-date=June 10, 2015}}</ref> According to Noxon, the series is based on what really happens in the world of reality show production.<ref name="Frazier 2015-05">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2015/05/29/arts/ap-us-tv-unreal.html |title=Unscripted TV Stripped Bare by Scripted Drama ''UnREAL'' |first=Frazier |last=Moore |author-link=Frazier Moore |work=[[Associated Press]]/[[The New York Times]] |date=May 29, 2015 |access-date=June 10, 2015}}</ref> Shapiro says, "Viewers want to believe in fairy tales, and those reality shows tap into that want. Our show dismantles that want."<ref name="Frazier 2015-05"/> Adds Noxon, "We thought uncovering the behind-the-scenes machinations would make great stories, and we wanted to comment on the kind of bully culture of a lot of reality television."<ref name="Frazier 2015-05"/> Shapiro says of the genre:
''Unreal'' is set [[Making-of|behind the scenes]] of ''Everlasting'', a fictional reality dating series operating similarly to ''The Bachelor''.<ref name="TVbythenumbers 2015-03"/><ref name="EW 2015-01 Blake"/> Dalene Rovenstine of ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' wrote, "''UnREAL'' has comic moments, but is also twisty and dark in a way you hope isn't reflected by real-life reality shows."<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.ew.com/article/2015/05/18/lifetime-unreal-exclusive-first-look |title=Lifetime's drama ''UnREAL'' shows a twisty take on reality show dating |first=Dalene |last=Rovenstine |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=May 18, 2015 |access-date=June 10, 2015}}</ref> According to Noxon, the series is based on what really happens in the world of reality show production.<ref name="Frazier 2015-05">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2015/05/29/arts/ap-us-tv-unreal.html |title=Unscripted TV Stripped Bare by Scripted Drama ''UnREAL'' |first=Frazier |last=Moore |author-link=Frazier Moore |work=[[Associated Press]]/[[The New York Times]] |date=May 29, 2015 |access-date=June 10, 2015}}</ref> Shapiro says, "Viewers want to believe in fairy tales, and those reality shows tap into that want. Our show dismantles that want."<ref name="Frazier 2015-05"/> Adds Noxon, "We thought uncovering the behind-the-scenes machinations would make great stories, and we wanted to comment on the kind of bully culture of a lot of reality television."<ref name="Frazier 2015-05"/> Shapiro says of the genre:
{{Quote|Contestants come in and think they can beat the game, but it's truly an unbeatable game ... You're ritually manipulated and charmed and edited beyond your control. Viewers think the contestants knew what they had signed up for. But they couldn't have. There's no way.<ref name="Frazier 2015-05"/>}}
{{Blockquote|Contestants come in and think they can beat the game, but it's truly an unbeatable game ... You're ritually manipulated and charmed and edited beyond your control. Viewers think the contestants knew what they had signed up for. But they couldn't have. There's no way.<ref name="Frazier 2015-05"/>}}


Writing for the [[Associated Press]], [[Frazier Moore]] described the show's dynamic:
Writing for the [[Associated Press]], [[Frazier Moore]] described the show's dynamic:
{{Quote|''UnREAL'' dwells in the off-camera netherworld of a dating competition show ... where a handsome bachelor must choose among a bevy of hot, hopeful women each bucking for a fairytale wedding ... The week-to-week production process is anything but romantic. On the contrary, it's a callous game of bullying and illusion whose sole objective is outrageous narratives. That process of seduction is led by executive producer Quinn King ... a single-minded puppetmaster whose chief henchman is Rachel Goldberg ... a young producer whose task is to cajole, badger and play on the weaknesses of the show's participants to get the footage Quinn demands.<ref name="Frazier 2015-05"/>}}
{{Blockquote|''UnREAL'' dwells in the off-camera netherworld of a dating competition show ... where a handsome bachelor must choose among a bevy of hot, hopeful women each bucking for a fairytale wedding ... The week-to-week production process is anything but romantic. On the contrary, it's a callous game of bullying and illusion whose sole objective is outrageous narratives. That process of seduction is led by executive producer Quinn King ... a single-minded puppetmaster whose chief henchman is Rachel Goldberg ... a young producer whose task is to cajole, badger and play on the weaknesses of the show's participants to get the footage Quinn demands.<ref name="Frazier 2015-05"/>}}


Jon Caramanica of ''[[The New York Times]]'' called Quinn and Rachel "architects of destruction—ostensibly of the people on camera, but really of themselves."<ref name="NYT Caramanica">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/01/arts/television/lifetimes-unreal-traces-the-cracks-in-reality-tvs-fourth-wall.html? |title=Lifetime's ''UnREAL'' Traces the Cracks in Reality TV's Fourth Wall |first=Jon |last=Caramanica |work=The New York Times |date=May 31, 2015 |access-date=June 10, 2015}}</ref> Moore noted that, despite the contestants' expectations, "the game is fixed and the matchmaking premise is only a pretext ... [the contestants] are pawns in the ''Everlasting'' chess game, with Quinn, in her video-paneled master control, pronouncing which contestant is the designated villainess, which is the hot one, which ones are boring and should be bounced."<ref name="Frazier 2015-05"/> Appreciating Rachel's "killer instincts" and manipulative skills, Quinn also "plays on Rachel's many weaknesses to keep her in line".<ref name="Frazier 2015-05"/> Caramanica commented:
Jon Caramanica of ''[[The New York Times]]'' called Quinn and Rachel "architects of destruction—ostensibly of the people on camera, but really of themselves."<ref name="NYT Caramanica">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/01/arts/television/lifetimes-unreal-traces-the-cracks-in-reality-tvs-fourth-wall.html? |title=Lifetime's ''UnREAL'' Traces the Cracks in Reality TV's Fourth Wall |first=Jon |last=Caramanica |work=The New York Times |date=May 31, 2015 |access-date=June 10, 2015}}</ref> Moore noted that, despite the contestants' expectations, "the game is fixed and the matchmaking premise is only a pretext ... [the contestants] are pawns in the ''Everlasting'' chess game, with Quinn, in her video-paneled master control, pronouncing which contestant is the designated villainess, which is the hot one, which ones are boring and should be bounced."<ref name="Frazier 2015-05"/> Appreciating Rachel's "killer instincts" and manipulative skills, Quinn also "plays on Rachel's many weaknesses to keep her in line."<ref name="Frazier 2015-05"/> Caramanica commented:
{{Quote|''UnREAL'' doesn’t exist just to send up reality television, or to pick at its scabs. Nor is it primarily a tell-all about the behind-the-scenes hands that shape reality-TV narrative ... Rather, ''UnREAL'' uses that access as a tool to ask questions about these sorts of programs: not just about how they operate—savagely, if its stories are to be believed—but also why participants on both sides of the camera subject themselves to them."<ref name="NYT Caramanica"/>}}
{{Blockquote|''UnREAL'' doesn't exist just to send up reality television, or to pick at its scabs. Nor is it primarily a tell-all about the behind-the-scenes hands that shape reality-TV narrative ... Rather, ''UnREAL'' uses that access as a tool to ask questions about these sorts of programs: not just about how they operate—savagely, if its stories are to be believed—but also why participants on both sides of the camera subject themselves to them."<ref name="NYT Caramanica"/>}}


==Reception==
==Reception==
===Critical response===
===Critical response===
====Season 1====
====Season 1====
Season one of ''Unreal'' has received favorable reviews. Merrill Barr of ''[[Forbes]]'' called it "one of the best new shows of the summer because it embraces the insanity it presents on screen".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/merrillbarr/2015/05/25/unreal-tv-series/ |title=''UnREAL'' Review: The Drama Lifetime Was Born To Make Arrives In Insane Glory |first=Merrill |last=Barr |work=[[Forbes]] |date=May 25, 2015 |access-date=June 10, 2015}}</ref> Dalene Rovenstine of ''Entertainment Weekly'' wrote, "If you love ''The Bachelor'', you’re going to like ''UnREAL''. If you hate ''The Bachelor'', you’re going to like ''UnREAL''."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ew.com/recap/unreal-series-premiere |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610170144/http://www.ew.com/recap/unreal-series-premiere |title=Lifetime's scripted drama about a reality dating show goes deliciously dark |first=Dalene |last=Rovenstine |work=Entertainment Weekly |date=June 1, 2015 |access-date=June 10, 2015 |archive-date=June 10, 2015}}</ref> Jon Caramanica of ''The New York Times'' called ''Unreal'' "acerbic and unrelentingly sad" and "a close and sometimes frustrating study of women tearing other women down".<ref name="NYT Caramanica"/> In December 2015, Jeff Jensen of ''Entertainment Weekly'' named ''Unreal'' as one of his "10 Best New Shows of 2015".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ew.com/gallery/best-new-shows-2015-jeff-jensen-picks/2406448_8-unreal-lifetime |title=The 10 Best New Shows of 2015: Jeff Jensen's Picks |work=Entertainment Weekly |first=Jeff |last=Jensen |date=December 9, 2015 |access-date=December 28, 2015}}</ref>
Season one of ''Unreal'' has received favorable reviews. Merrill Barr of ''[[Forbes]]'' called it "one of the best new shows of the summer because it embraces the insanity it presents on screen".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/merrillbarr/2015/05/25/unreal-tv-series/ |title=''UnREAL'' Review: The Drama Lifetime Was Born To Make Arrives In Insane Glory |first=Merrill |last=Barr |work=[[Forbes]] |date=May 25, 2015 |access-date=June 10, 2015}}</ref> Dalene Rovenstine of ''Entertainment Weekly'' wrote, "If you love ''The Bachelor'', you're going to like ''UnREAL''. If you hate ''The Bachelor'', you're going to like ''UnREAL''."<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.ew.com/recap/unreal-series-premiere |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610170144/http://www.ew.com/recap/unreal-series-premiere |title=Lifetime's scripted drama about a reality dating show goes deliciously dark |first=Dalene |last=Rovenstine |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=June 1, 2015 |access-date=June 10, 2015 |archive-date=June 10, 2015}}</ref> Jon Caramanica of ''The New York Times'' called ''Unreal'' "acerbic and unrelentingly sad" and "a close and sometimes frustrating study of women tearing other women down".<ref name="NYT Caramanica"/> In December 2015, Jeff Jensen of ''Entertainment Weekly'' named ''Unreal'' as one of his "10 Best New Shows of 2015".<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.ew.com/gallery/best-new-shows-2015-jeff-jensen-picks/2406448_8-unreal-lifetime |title=The 10 Best New Shows of 2015: Jeff Jensen's Picks |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |first=Jeff |last=Jensen |date=December 9, 2015 |access-date=December 28, 2015}}</ref>


The review aggregator website [[Rotten Tomatoes]] lists a 98% approval rating, based on 41 reviews, with a rating average of 8.4/10. The site's consensus states: "The revealing and thought-provoking ''UnREAL'' uses reality TV as a suitably soapy springboard for absorbing drama."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/unreal/s01/|title=''UnReal'': Season 1|date=June 1, 2015|publisher=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|access-date=June 2, 2015}}</ref> On [[Metacritic]], the series has a score of 78 out of 100, indicating "generally favorable reviews."<ref name="season1metacritic">{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/tv/unreal|title=''UnReal''|publisher=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=June 2, 2015}}</ref>
The review aggregator website [[Rotten Tomatoes]] lists a 98% approval rating, based on 41 reviews, with a rating average of 8.4/10. The site's consensus states: "The revealing and thought-provoking ''UnREAL'' uses reality TV as a suitably soapy springboard for absorbing drama."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/unreal/s01/|title=''UnReal'': Season 1|date=June 1, 2015|publisher=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|access-date=June 2, 2015}}</ref> On [[Metacritic]], the series has a score of 78 out of 100, indicating "generally favorable reviews".<ref name="season1metacritic">{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/tv/unreal|title=''UnReal''|publisher=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=June 2, 2015}}</ref>


In May 2015, ''Unreal'' was one of five honorees in the [[Critics' Choice Television Award for Most Exciting New Series|Most Exciting New Series]] category at the [[5th Critics' Choice Television Awards]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2015/05/critics-choice-tv-awards-top-new-series-most-exciting-1201432877/|title=Critics' Choice TV Awards Top New Series Revealed |first=Denise |last=Petski |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=May 26, 2015 |access-date=June 2, 2015}}</ref>
In May 2015, ''Unreal'' was one of five honorees in the [[Critics' Choice Television Award for Most Exciting New Series|Most Exciting New Series]] category at the [[5th Critics' Choice Television Awards]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2015/05/critics-choice-tv-awards-top-new-series-most-exciting-1201432877/|title=Critics' Choice TV Awards Top New Series Revealed |first=Denise |last=Petski |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=May 26, 2015 |access-date=June 2, 2015}}</ref>


====Season 2====
====Season 2====
Season two received acclaim from critics. On the [[review aggregator]] [[Metacritic]], the season holds a score of 87 out of 100, indicating "universal acclaim".<ref>{{cite web|title=Unreal Season 2 Reviews|url=https://www.metacritic.com/tv/unreal/season-2|access-date=3 June 2016}}</ref> The review aggregator website [[Rotten Tomatoes]] lists an 83% approval rating, based on 38 reviews, with a rating average of 8.6/10. The site's consensus states: "''UnREAL'' is smarter, more shameless, and more confident in its thrilling and riveting second season."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/unreal/s02/|title=''UnReal'': Season 2|publisher=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|access-date=June 14, 2016}}</ref>
Season two received acclaim from critics. On the [[review aggregator]] [[Metacritic]], the season holds a score of 87 out of 100, indicating "universal acclaim".<ref>{{cite web|title=Unreal Season 2 Reviews|website=[[Metacritic]] |url=https://www.metacritic.com/tv/unreal/season-2|access-date=3 June 2016}}</ref> The review aggregator website [[Rotten Tomatoes]] lists an 83% approval rating, based on 38 reviews, with a rating average of 8.6/10. The site's consensus states: "''UnREAL'' is smarter, more shameless, and more confident in its thrilling and riveting second season."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/unreal/s02/|title=''UnReal'': Season 2|publisher=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|access-date=June 14, 2016}}</ref>


====Season 3====
====Season 3====
Line 225: Line 224:
|-
|-
|rowspan="2"|2015
|rowspan="2"|2015
|[[5th Critics' Choice Television Awards|Critics' Choice Television Awards]]
|[[5th Critics' Choice Television Awards]]
|[[Critics' Choice Television Award for Most Exciting New Series|Most Exciting New Series]]
|[[Critics' Choice Television Award for Most Exciting New Series|Most Exciting New Series]]
| rowspan="3" |''UnREAL''
| rowspan="3" |''UnREAL''
|{{won}}
|{{won}}
|style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{Cite web |title=2015 // The Critics' Choice Television Awards Winners {{!}} Critics Choice Awards |url=https://members.criticschoice.com/television-awards/2015-the-critics-choice-television-awards-winners/ |access-date=2024-09-30 |website=members.criticschoice.com}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[American Film Institute Awards 2015|American Film Institute Awards]]
|[[American Film Institute Awards#2015|16th American Film Institute Awards]]
|Top 10 TV Programs of the Year
|Top 10 TV Programs of the Year
|{{won}}
|{{won}}
|style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{Cite web |title=AFI AWARDS 2015 |url=https://www.afi.com/award/afi-awards-2015/ |access-date=2024-09-30 |website=American Film Institute |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|-
|rowspan="10"|2016
|rowspan="10"|2016
|rowspan="3"|[[6th Critics' Choice Television Awards|Critics' Choice Television Awards]]
|rowspan="3"|[[21st Critics' Choice Awards|21st Critics' Choice Television Awards]]
|[[Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Drama Series|Best Drama Series]]
|[[Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Drama Series|Best Drama Series]]
|{{nom}}
|{{nom}}
Line 248: Line 249:
|{{won}}
|{{won}}
|-
|-
|[[Peabody Award]]s
|[[List of Peabody Award winners (2010–2019)#2015|2015 Peabody Awards]]
|Entertainment and children's programming
|Entertainment and Children's Programming
| rowspan="4" |''UnREAL''
| rowspan="4" |''UnREAL''
|{{won}}
|{{won}}
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2016/tv/news/peabody-winners-blackish-master-of-none-mr-robot-1201758603/|title='Black-ish,' 'Master of None,' 'Mr. Robot' Among 2015 Peabody Awards Winners|first=Debra|last=Birnbaum|publisher=Variety|date=April 22, 2016|access-date=April 23, 2016}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2016/tv/news/peabody-winners-blackish-master-of-none-mr-robot-1201758603/|title='Black-ish,' 'Master of None,' 'Mr. Robot' Among 2015 Peabody Awards Winners|first=Debra|last=Birnbaum|publisher=Variety|date=April 22, 2016|access-date=April 23, 2016}}</ref>
|-
|-
| rowspan="3"| [[32nd TCA Awards|TCA Awards]]
| rowspan="3"| [[32nd TCA Awards]]
|[[TCA Award for Program of the Year|Program of the Year]]
|[[TCA Award for Program of the Year|Program of the Year]]
| {{nom}}
| {{nom}}
Line 265: Line 266:
| {{nom}}
| {{nom}}
|-
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[68th Primetime Emmy Awards|Primetime Emmy Awards]]
| rowspan="2"| [[68th Primetime Emmy Awards]]
| [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series|Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series]]
| [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series|Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series]]
| Constance Zimmer (for "Mother")
| Constance Zimmer (for "Mother")
| {{nom}}
| {{nom}}
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"| <ref name="2016Emmy">{{cite web |url=https://www.ew.com/article/2016/07/14/emmys-nominations-2016 |title=Emmy nominations 2016: See the full list |first=Lynette |last=Rice |work=Entertainment Weekly |date=July 14, 2016 |access-date=July 14, 2016}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"| <ref name="2016Emmy">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.ew.com/article/2016/07/14/emmys-nominations-2016 |title=Emmy nominations 2016: See the full list |first=Lynette |last=Rice |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=July 14, 2016 |access-date=July 14, 2016}}</ref>
|-
|-
| [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series|Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series]]
| [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series|Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series]]
Line 275: Line 276:
| {{nom}}
| {{nom}}
|-
|-
|[[7th Critics' Choice Television Awards|Critics' Choice Television Awards]]
|[[22nd Critics' Choice Awards|22nd Critics' Choice Television Awards]]
|[[Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series|Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series]]
|Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
|Constance Zimmer
|Constance Zimmer
| {{nom}}
| {{nom}}
|style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{Cite web |title=2016 Critics' Choice Awards: Complete List of TV Nominations |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/2016-critics-choice-awards-people-oj-simpson-leads/story?id=43523828 |access-date=2024-09-30 |website=ABC News |language=en}}</ref>
|}
|}


==Web series==
==Web series==
On January 21, 2016, it was announced that Lifetime was developing a Faith-centered spin-off web series, with Breeda Wool reprising her role from the TV series. The 10-webisode series ''The Faith Diaries'' premiered on April 13, 2016.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tvline.com/2016/01/21/unreal-spinoff-faith-web-series-lifetime/ |title=TVLine Items: UnREAL Gets Spinoff, Legends Adds Time Master and More |work=[[TV Line]] |date=January 21, 2016 |access-date=January 21, 2016}}</ref>
On January 21, 2016, it was announced that Lifetime was developing a Faith-centered spin-off web series, with Breeda Wool reprising her role from the TV series. The 10-webisode series ''The Faith Diaries'' premiered on April 13, 2016.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tvline.com/2016/01/21/unreal-spinoff-faith-web-series-lifetime/ |title=TVLine Items: UnREAL Gets Spinoff, Legends Adds Time Master and More |work=[[TVLine]] |date=January 21, 2016 |access-date=January 21, 2016}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
Line 298: Line 300:
[[Category:2015 American television series debuts]]
[[Category:2015 American television series debuts]]
[[Category:2018 American television series endings]]
[[Category:2018 American television series endings]]
[[Category:2010s American LGBT-related drama television series]]
[[Category:2010s American LGBTQ-related drama television series]]
[[Category:English-language television shows]]
[[Category:American English-language television shows]]
[[Category:Hulu original programming]]
[[Category:Hulu original programming]]
[[Category:Lifetime (TV network) original programming]]
[[Category:Lifetime (TV channel) television dramas]]
[[Category:Peabody Award-winning television programs]]
[[Category:Peabody Award–winning television programs]]
[[Category:Television series produced in Vancouver]]
[[Category:Reality television series parodies]]
[[Category:Television shows filmed in Vancouver]]
[[Category:Television shows set in the United States]]
[[Category:Television shows set in the United States]]
[[Category:Television series about television]]
[[Category:Television series about television]]
[[Category:Television series created by Marti Noxon]]

Latest revision as of 05:51, 7 December 2024

Unreal
GenreDrama
Created byMarti Noxon
Sarah Gertrude Shapiro
Based onSequin Raze
by Sarah Gertrude Shapiro[1]
Starring
ComposerFil Eisler
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons4
No. of episodes38 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producersMarti Noxon
Robert M. Sertner
Sarah Gertrude Shapiro
Bill Davenport
Sally DeSipio
Stacy Rukeyser
Production locationVancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Running time42 minutes
Production companiesA+E Studios
Wieden-Kennedy Entertainment
Tiny Pyro
Frank and Bob Films II
Original release
NetworkLifetime
ReleaseJune 1, 2015 (2015-06-01) –
April 23, 2018 (2018-04-23)
NetworkHulu
ReleaseJuly 16, 2018 (2018-07-16)

Unreal (stylized as UnREAL) is an American drama television series that premiered on Lifetime on June 1, 2015.[2] It stars Shiri Appleby as a young reality television producer pushed by her unscrupulous boss (Constance Zimmer) to swallow her integrity and do anything it takes to drum up salacious content for their dating reality show Everlasting. The show was created by Marti Noxon and Sarah Gertrude Shapiro, and was inspired by Shapiro's award-winning independent short film Sequin Raze.[1]

On July 28, 2017, it was announced that Unreal has been renewed for a shortened fourth season of eight episodes.[3] The fourth season completed production in January 2018 before the third season had aired.[4] By May 22, 2018, the fourth season had been acquired by Hulu. The streaming service distributed the series exclusively as a "Hulu Original" in the United States for a set period of time before the episodes aired on Lifetime.[5] On July 16, 2018, the fourth season was released on Hulu and it was confirmed that the season would be the series' last.[6]

Plot

[edit]

Producer Rachel Goldberg returns to Everlasting, a popular dating show, after a breakdown. With a reputation to rebuild and executive producer Quinn King breathing down her neck, Rachel must pull out all the stops in what she does best: manipulating the contestants to create the outrageous drama that viewers expect.

Cast and characters

[edit]
Season 1 cast photo (from l. to r.: Kelly, Braddy, Zimmer, Appleby, Stroma, Scott, Kelley)

Main

[edit]

Crew

[edit]
  • Shiri Appleby as Rachel Goldberg, a producer on Everlasting who is brought back to the show by executive producer Quinn despite Rachel's breakdown during the previous season. Though conflicted by how she must lie to and manipulate the contestants, Rachel is a "closer" who thinks fast on her feet and knows exactly what needs to be done to create drama on the show. Meanwhile, she is drawn back to her ex-boyfriend Jeremy and finds herself getting close to the show's suitor Adam, but she later loses relationships to both of them. Rachel is later promoted to supervising producer, which is short-lived as Coleman is hired by the network as the new showrunner.
  • Constance Zimmer as Quinn King, Everlasting's scheming, demanding executive producer who pushes boundaries on the show to maximize ratings. She is having an affair with Chet, but their dysfunctional relationship is strained by his marriage and their work. She later gets promoted to showrunner until Chet returns, and their conflict results in the network hiring Coleman as the show's new EP and showrunner.
  • Craig Bierko as Chet Wilton, the eccentric and drug-using creator of Everlasting who is having a volatile affair with Quinn. His immaturity, vulgarity and callousness have given him a keen eye for what the audience wants, but his tremendous success has only fueled his self-destructive self-indulgence. He gets banned from work for his bad behavior behind-the-scenes, but later returns after adopting a healthier lifestyle, putting himself into direct conflict with Quinn. He also joins the men's liberation movement, and enlists Jeremy as part of his cause. The following season, he starts dating a swimsuit model named Crystal.
  • Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman as Jay Carter, a gay producer on Everlasting who is initially one of Rachel's only friends. He soon crosses Quinn, and becomes more willing to step over the line in order to ingratiate himself to Chet. He later becomes jealous of Rachel for her job promotion, and grows frustrated by competing against a newly promoted Madison. He later produces his own show, Passport to Dance.
  • Josh Kelly as Jeremy Caner (seasons 1–3), a camera operator (later promoted to director of photography) on Everlasting, and Rachel's ex-boyfriend. Engaged to the show's make-up artist, Lizzie, at the beginning of the series, he still has unresolved feelings for Rachel. He briefly gets back together with Rachel, but breaks up with her after he finds out that she cheated on him with Adam. He returns to work on the new season a bitter and angry drunk over having his heart broken by Rachel.
  • Genevieve Buechner as Madison (seasons 3-4, recurring seasons 1–2), Quinn's meek production assistant who had oral sex with Chet and is later promoted to junior producer on Everlasting, and later to Junior Vice President of Non-Scripted at the network, working under Fiona Berlin. Through the rapid progression in her career, she quickly learns to become more confident and conniving to get what she wants. As Vice President, she also produces her own show, #Adulting.
  • Brennan Elliott as Graham (seasons 3-4, recurring seasons 1–2), the host of Everlasting.
  • Aline Elasmar as Shia (season 1), a producer on Everlasting who has a professional rivalry with Rachel. Initially earnest with her take on contestant storylines, she soon learns that she has to be more ruthless and manipulative—like Rachel—to compete and succeed. To this end, she gets Maya drunk and tampers with Mary's mood stabilizing medication, but loses control of the outcome. She is sent home after the last of her assigned contestants quits.
  • Michael Rady as Coleman Wasserman (season 2), an executive producer and new showrunner on Everlasting who was a documentary filmmaker prior to joining the show. He and Rachel become a couple and briefly date, but she worries when Coleman makes it clear he wants to destroy the show by publicly exposing its past crimes committed by the producers. He is later killed (along with Yael) by Jeremy when he rigs his car that crashes on the road.
  • Francois Arnaud as Tommy Castelli (season 4), a devious new producer on Everlasting who is brought in to handle the new games format for the show's All Stars season. He proves to be a match for Rachel's underhanded manipulation techniques, and eventually starts a relationship with her, leading to their engagement. In the series finale, Quinn scapegoats him as a rogue producer to protect Rachel.

Suitor

[edit]
  • Freddie Stroma as Adam Cromwell (season 1; guest star season 2), a rich British playboy and the "suitor" on Everlasting. He is reluctant to do the show, but is hoping the publicity will improve his "bad boy" reputation and help with his business ventures. As Adam becomes savvy to the producers' manipulations and what will make the show "better", he alternately plays along, and does some kindnesses to individual contestants. He also begins to develop an attraction to Rachel and has an affair with her, but it ultimately ends in heartbreak when he later finds out from her boss Quinn about her fragile mental health, and she convinces him to end his affair with Rachel.
  • B. J. Britt as Darius Beck (season 2), the first African-American suitor on Everlasting and a professional football player, who hopes that being on Everlasting will help polish his image after being involved in a public relations scandal.
  • Caitlin FitzGerald as Serena Wolcott (season 3), Everlasting's first female suitor who is a successful Silicon Valley venture capitalist, who comes on the show to seek a husband when she is tired of being single.[7][8]

Contestants

[edit]
  • Johanna Braddy as Anna Martin (season 1), a bulimic contestant who works as an attorney. She almost leaves Everlasting when her father dies, but she is coaxed back by Rachel with feigned assurances that she will likely win.
  • Nathalie Kelley as Grace (season 1), a contestant who is a swimsuit model. She and Adam have an immediate sexual attraction, although Quinn does not see her as an acceptable winner for the competition.
  • Ashley Scott as Mary Newhouse (season 1), one of the oldest contestants who is a single mother with an abusive ex-husband. Quinn, finding Mary uninteresting, pushes her to step up her game, not knowing that Shia has tampered with Mary's mood stabilizing medication and given her alcohol. Bipolar and struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder, Mary begins to unravel under the pressure put on her by the manipulations of Rachel, Quinn, Shia, and Chet.
  • Breeda Wool as Faith Duluth (season 1, guest season 4), a contestant who is a shy and insecure Christian virgin.
  • Monica Barbaro as Yael/"Hot Rachel" (season 2), a contestant who is an undercover reporter (posing as a fashion blogger), and who the crew labels as a more attractive, less damaged, sane version of Rachel.
  • Denée Benton as Ruby Carter (season 2), an outspoken Black Lives Matter activist who joins Everlasting looking to use the show to promote her message and, against all odds, falls in love and ends up with Darius.
  • Kim Matula as Tiffany James (season 2), a contestant who is the wealthy daughter of an NFL team owner who hopes that being on Everlasting will help her step out of her father's shadow.
  • Meagan Tandy as Chantal (season 2), a contestant who is a beautiful and sophisticated southern debutante who is recovering from the death of her fiancé.
  • Bart Edwards as Jasper Hunt (season 3), a contestant who is a successful Wall Street investment banker who seems like he will make the perfect power couple with Serena.[9]
  • Alex Hernandez as Owen Boyd (season 3), a contestant who is a firefighter and a single father looking for love.[10]
  • Adam Demos as August Walker (seasons 3-4), a contestant who was a surfer who joined the Peace Corps to save the world. He returns for the show's All Stars season.
  • Alex Sparrow as Alexi Petrov (season 3, recurring season 4), a secretly bisexual contestant who is a "bad boy" ballet dancer and an ostensibly recovering cocaine addict. He returns for the show's All Stars season, and stars on Jay's new reality show Passport to Dance.
  • Natalie Hall as Candy Coco (season 4), an outspoken contestant who is a single mother and stripper. Although she had never been on the show before, she is invited to All Stars by Quinn as a cross-promotional tactic to market another reality show she's set to star in, Stripper Queens, under the pretense of her being a superfan of Everlasting.
  • Meagan Holder as Noelle Jackson (season 4), a fan favorite All Stars contestant who had previously been runner up on her original season. She hopes to have a second chance with her original season's suitor, Rodrigo, who is also set to be on All Stars.
  • Alejandro Munoz as Rodrigo (season 4), a flirtatious and charismatic soccer player, All Stars contestant and former suitor.

Other regulars

[edit]
  • Gentry White as Romeo Beck (season 2), Darius' cousin and manager who moves into the Everlasting mansion with him.

Recurring

[edit]
  • Amy Hill as Dr. Hillary Wagerstein (seasons 1–2), a therapist employed by the show who feeds the producers personal information about the contestants to better manipulate dramatic moments from them.
  • Martin Cummins as Brad (seasons 1–2), an executive at the network that airs Everlasting, who was later fired by the network after Chet returned to work.
  • Mimi Kuzyk as Dr. Olive Goldberg(seasons 1–3), Rachel's controlling psychiatrist mother.
  • Donavon Stinson as Dan, the assistant director of Everlasting.
  • Christopher Cousins as Gary Taylor (season 2–3), the president of the television network that airs Everlasting.
  • Tracie Thoms as Fiona Berlin (season 3–4), a high-end executive who is a lesbian and a close friend of Quinn since early in their careers. She later becomes the President of the television network after Gary is fired.
  • Tom Brittney as Roger Lockwood (guest season 1, recurring season 4), a friend of Adam's who appears on Everlasting as a guest. He rapes a contestant on the show, Maya. Rachel later invites him back for All Stars, despite him not being an actual contestant, hoping to manufacture drama surrounding the incident.
  • Natasha Wilson as Maya (season 1, season 4), a contestant who is a sommelier. Shia gets her drunk which results in Maya being raped by Adam's friend Roger. Rachel invites both her and Roger back for All Stars in the hopes that she would confront Roger on television.

Season 1

[edit]
  • Arielle Kebbel as Britney, a contestant whom Quinn brands "the villain" and is one of the first eliminated from Everlasting. Chet brings her back for the finale as a wild card.
  • Siobhan Williams as Lizzie, a make-up artist on Everlasting and Jeremy's fiancée until he breaks up with her on realising he still has feelings for Rachel.
  • Christie Laing as Shamiqua, a contestant who is a clerk for a Supreme Court Justice.
  • J. R. Bourne as Bill DeYoung, Quinn's former writing partner and ex-boyfriend, who is a recovering alcoholic.
  • Stephanie Bennett as Pepper, a contestant who is an elementary school teacher.
  • Sonya Salomaa as Cynthia Wilton, Chet's ex-wife.
  • Graeme McComb as Sam, the assistant director of Everlasting.
  • Andrea Brooks as Tanya, a contestant on Everlasting.
  • Natasha Burnett as Athena, a contestant on Everlasting who is hoping to use the publicity to open a salon. Jay encourages her to play up to the "black bitch" stereotype in order to get noticed.

Season 2

[edit]
  • BJ Britt as Darius, the “suitor” -a well known African-American football player who is trying to save his image after a soured interview with a reporter.
  • Ioan Gruffudd as John Booth, an optimistic and adventurous tech billionaire who owns the television network that airs Everlasting.[11]
  • Karissa Tynes as Jameson, a contestant who is a police officer dedicated to her job, but she hopes that her chemistry with Darius will help fill the missing void in her love life.[12]
  • Lindsay Musil as Beth Ann, a contestant from a small town in Alabama who speaks her mind without a filter, and is cast on the show to stir up controversy.[13]
  • Monique Ganderton as Brandi, a shy contestant who overcame a traumatic past to become a mixed martial arts fighter.[12]
  • Elizabeth Whitmere as Dominique, a contestant who is a professional basketball player and a serious contender for Darius since they have a lot in common as professional athletes.[12]
  • Jessica Sipos as Hayley, a contestant who is a physical therapist and is sexually adventurous, loves yoga, and is a healer.[12]
  • Sunita Prasad as London, a contestant who is an engineer with a conservative personality who joins the cast of Everlasting to explore her wild side.[12]

Season 3

[edit]

Season 4

[edit]
  • Christopher Russell as Jack, an All Stars contestant who is a pediatrician. He is a fan favorite on Everlasting, and had previously appeared on two seasons before being invited to All Stars. Rachel confides in him that he was the reason she became a producer on the show.
  • Meghan Heffern as Sofia, an All Stars contestant who was previously known as a sweetheart on her original season, but hopes to cultivate a more villainous reputation on her second time.
  • Alli Chung as Skye, an abrasive All Stars contestant who enjoys the limelight.
  • Karis Cameron as Naomi, an All Stars contestant who is Amish.
  • Samantha Cole as Emily, an All Stars contestant.
  • Greg Delmage as Luke, an All Stars contestant.
  • Maxwell Yip as Joe, an All Stars contestant.

Episodes

[edit]
SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast airedNetwork
110June 1, 2015 (2015-06-01)August 3, 2015 (2015-08-03)Lifetime
210June 6, 2016 (2016-06-06)August 8, 2016 (2016-08-08)
310February 26, 2018 (2018-02-26)April 23, 2018 (2018-04-23)
48July 16, 2018 (2018-07-16)Hulu

Production

[edit]

Development

[edit]

On July 30, 2013, Lifetime placed a pilot order on Unreal, inspired by Sarah Gertrude Shapiro's award-winning independent short film Sequin Raze.[17] Shapiro had previously worked at the American reality dating series The Bachelor.[18] The pilot was written by Marti Noxon and Shapiro, and directed by Peter O'Fallon.[17] On February 6, 2014, Lifetime officially green-lit Un-Real with a 10-episode series order.[19][20] In March 2015, the premiere date was announced as June 1, 2015.[2] On July 6, 2015, the series was renewed for a second season of 10 episodes, to premiere in 2016.[21] The second season continued to feature the fictional show, Everlasting, with Quinn and Rachel returning as main characters.[22]

Casting

[edit]

Casting announcements began in September 2013, with Shiri Appleby first cast in the lead role of Rachel Goldberg, the young staffer working on the reality dating competition.[23] Freddie Stroma was the next actor cast in the series, in the role of Adam Cromwell, the smart and wealthy bachelor on the dating series.[24] Shortly after, Josh Kelly signed onto the series regular role of Jeremy, Rachel's ex-boyfriend who also works as a cameraman on the reality dating series.[25] Breeda Wool was then added to the cast for the role of Faith, one of the contestants on the series.[26] In early-November, Megyn Price, Nathalie Kelley and Johanna Braddy joined the show's cast. Price signed onto the role of Quinn King, the controlling executive producer on the reality series; Kelley joined in the role of Grace, an eco-swimwear designer/model and contestant on the series; and Braddy set as Anna, a type-A control freak and attorney who is also a contestant on the series. Ashley Scott was later cast in the role of Mary, the single mother of a 4-year-old daughter who joins the series hoping to find love.[27] In June 2014, Price was replaced by Constance Zimmer as Quinn.[28] On July 22, 2014, it was announced that Craig Bierko has been cast as a character named Chet, who is the reality dating show's creator.[29] On August 8, 2014, it was announced that J. R. Bourne and Siobhan Williams were both cast on the show in recurring roles, Bourne as Quinn's recovering drug addict ex-boyfriend and former writing partner, and Williams as Everlasting's new make-up artist who is also Jeremy's fiancée.[30]

Distribution

[edit]

United States

[edit]

Unreal premiered in the United States on Lifetime on June 1, 2015.[2] The network made the first four episodes available on their website on June 6, 2015, before the latter three had aired.[31]

In July 2017, it was announced that the series has been renewed for fourth season[3] that completed production in January 2018 before the third season had aired.[4] On May 22, 2018, it was reported that the fourth season had been acquired by Hulu. The streaming service would distribute the series exclusively as a "Hulu Original" in the United States for a set period of time before the episodes are to air on Lifetime.[5] On July 16, 2018, the fourth season was released on Hulu.[6] In 2024 it streamed on Netflix

International

[edit]

The series is available to stream on Stan in Australia[32] and on Lightbox in New Zealand.[33]

In the United Kingdom, season 1 aired on Lifetime. From season 2, the show airs on Amazon Video a day after broadcast in the United States, with season 1 also available for streaming.[34]

In Israel the show airs on yes Drama channel and on Cellcom TV.[35] In India, the show airs on Star World.[36]

In Spain, the show airs on the channel ATRESERIES, owned by the network Atresmedia.[37]

Concept and characterization

[edit]

Unreal is set behind the scenes of Everlasting, a fictional reality dating series operating similarly to The Bachelor.[2][18] Dalene Rovenstine of Entertainment Weekly wrote, "UnREAL has comic moments, but is also twisty and dark in a way you hope isn't reflected by real-life reality shows."[38] According to Noxon, the series is based on what really happens in the world of reality show production.[39] Shapiro says, "Viewers want to believe in fairy tales, and those reality shows tap into that want. Our show dismantles that want."[39] Adds Noxon, "We thought uncovering the behind-the-scenes machinations would make great stories, and we wanted to comment on the kind of bully culture of a lot of reality television."[39] Shapiro says of the genre:

Contestants come in and think they can beat the game, but it's truly an unbeatable game ... You're ritually manipulated and charmed and edited beyond your control. Viewers think the contestants knew what they had signed up for. But they couldn't have. There's no way.[39]

Writing for the Associated Press, Frazier Moore described the show's dynamic:

UnREAL dwells in the off-camera netherworld of a dating competition show ... where a handsome bachelor must choose among a bevy of hot, hopeful women each bucking for a fairytale wedding ... The week-to-week production process is anything but romantic. On the contrary, it's a callous game of bullying and illusion whose sole objective is outrageous narratives. That process of seduction is led by executive producer Quinn King ... a single-minded puppetmaster whose chief henchman is Rachel Goldberg ... a young producer whose task is to cajole, badger and play on the weaknesses of the show's participants to get the footage Quinn demands.[39]

Jon Caramanica of The New York Times called Quinn and Rachel "architects of destruction—ostensibly of the people on camera, but really of themselves."[40] Moore noted that, despite the contestants' expectations, "the game is fixed and the matchmaking premise is only a pretext ... [the contestants] are pawns in the Everlasting chess game, with Quinn, in her video-paneled master control, pronouncing which contestant is the designated villainess, which is the hot one, which ones are boring and should be bounced."[39] Appreciating Rachel's "killer instincts" and manipulative skills, Quinn also "plays on Rachel's many weaknesses to keep her in line."[39] Caramanica commented:

UnREAL doesn't exist just to send up reality television, or to pick at its scabs. Nor is it primarily a tell-all about the behind-the-scenes hands that shape reality-TV narrative ... Rather, UnREAL uses that access as a tool to ask questions about these sorts of programs: not just about how they operate—savagely, if its stories are to be believed—but also why participants on both sides of the camera subject themselves to them."[40]

Reception

[edit]

Critical response

[edit]

Season 1

[edit]

Season one of Unreal has received favorable reviews. Merrill Barr of Forbes called it "one of the best new shows of the summer because it embraces the insanity it presents on screen".[41] Dalene Rovenstine of Entertainment Weekly wrote, "If you love The Bachelor, you're going to like UnREAL. If you hate The Bachelor, you're going to like UnREAL."[42] Jon Caramanica of The New York Times called Unreal "acerbic and unrelentingly sad" and "a close and sometimes frustrating study of women tearing other women down".[40] In December 2015, Jeff Jensen of Entertainment Weekly named Unreal as one of his "10 Best New Shows of 2015".[43]

The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes lists a 98% approval rating, based on 41 reviews, with a rating average of 8.4/10. The site's consensus states: "The revealing and thought-provoking UnREAL uses reality TV as a suitably soapy springboard for absorbing drama."[44] On Metacritic, the series has a score of 78 out of 100, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[45]

In May 2015, Unreal was one of five honorees in the Most Exciting New Series category at the 5th Critics' Choice Television Awards.[46]

Season 2

[edit]

Season two received acclaim from critics. On the review aggregator Metacritic, the season holds a score of 87 out of 100, indicating "universal acclaim".[47] The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes lists an 83% approval rating, based on 38 reviews, with a rating average of 8.6/10. The site's consensus states: "UnREAL is smarter, more shameless, and more confident in its thrilling and riveting second season."[48]

Season 3

[edit]

Season three received generally favorable reviews from critics. On the review aggregator Metacritic, the season received a score of 63 out of 100 from six critics.[49] The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes lists a 95% approval rating, based on 21 reviews, with an average rating of 7.86/10. The site's consensus states: "Timely and unapologetic, UnReal continues its satirical skewering with newfound fervor."[50]

Accolades

[edit]
Year Award Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
2015 5th Critics' Choice Television Awards Most Exciting New Series UnREAL Won [51]
16th American Film Institute Awards Top 10 TV Programs of the Year Won [52]
2016 21st Critics' Choice Television Awards Best Drama Series Nominated [53]
Best Actress in a Drama Series Shiri Appleby Nominated
Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series Constance Zimmer Won
2015 Peabody Awards Entertainment and Children's Programming UnREAL Won [54]
32nd TCA Awards Program of the Year Nominated [55]
Outstanding Achievement in Drama Nominated
Outstanding New Program Nominated
68th Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series Constance Zimmer (for "Mother") Nominated [56]
Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series Marti Noxon and Sarah Gertrude Shapiro
(for "Return")
Nominated
22nd Critics' Choice Television Awards Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series Constance Zimmer Nominated [57]

Web series

[edit]

On January 21, 2016, it was announced that Lifetime was developing a Faith-centered spin-off web series, with Breeda Wool reprising her role from the TV series. The 10-webisode series The Faith Diaries premiered on April 13, 2016.[58]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Kizu, Kyle (June 6, 2016). "Lifetime's 'UnREAL': Watch The Short Film That Inspired the Hit Lifetime Series". IndieWire. Retrieved February 23, 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d Bibel, Sara (March 16, 2015). "Scripted Drama UnREAL to Premiere Monday, June 1 on Lifetime". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on March 19, 2015. Retrieved March 16, 2015.
  3. ^ a b Roots, Kimberly (July 28, 2018). "UnREAL Renewed for Season 4". TVLine. Archived from the original on July 18, 2018. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
  4. ^ a b Fernandez, Maria Elena (February 26, 2018). "Can UnREAL Rebound in Season 3?". Vulture. Retrieved May 23, 2018.
  5. ^ a b Denise, Petski; Andreeva, Nellie (May 22, 2018). "'UnReal' Moves To Hulu For Likely Final Season 4". Deadline. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
  6. ^ a b Petski, Denise (July 16, 2018). "'UnReal': Final Season 4 Debuts On Hulu". Deadline. Retrieved July 16, 2018.
  7. ^ Kimberly Roots (November 3, 2016). "UnREAL Season 3: Meet the Female Suitor and Some of Her Eligible Hunks". TVLine. Retrieved February 1, 2017.
  8. ^ Andy Swift (January 19, 2017). "UnREAL Season 3: Caitlin FitzGerald Is Everlasting's First Female Suitor". TVLine. Retrieved February 1, 2017.
  9. ^ Shirley Li. "UnREAL: Meet Everlasting's new suitors of season 3". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved February 1, 2017.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g Shirley Li. "UnREAL: Meet Everlasting's new suitors of season 3". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved February 1, 2017.
  11. ^ Elizabeth Wagmeister (April 13, 2016). "Ioan Gruffudd Cast in UnReal Season 2". Variety. Retrieved May 10, 2016.
  12. ^ a b c d e Denise Petski (March 14, 2016). "'UnReal': Monique Ganderton & Jessica Sipos, More Join Lifetime Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 14, 2016.
  13. ^ Dylan Kickham. "UnREAL adds Bruce Davison, Christopher Cousins, and Lindsay Musil to season 2 — exclusive - EW.com". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved March 7, 2016.
  14. ^ Denise Petski (March 8, 2017). "'UnReal': Brandon Jay McLaren Set To Recur In Season 3". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 7, 2017.
  15. ^ Denise Petski (January 30, 2017). "Chelsea Hobbs Joins 'UnReal'; Kurt Krause In 'American Crime'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 1, 2017.
  16. ^ a b Denise Petski (January 26, 2017). "UnReal: Kassandra Clementi & Jaime Callica Join Season 3 Of Lifetime Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 1, 2017.
  17. ^ a b Andreeva, Nellie (July 30, 2013). "Lifetime Orders Marti Noxon Drama Pilot Based On Indie Short Sequin Raze". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 9, 2014.
  18. ^ a b Blake, Emily (January 9, 2015). "Lifetime's UnReal pulls the curtain on reality TV". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved June 10, 2015.
  19. ^ Porter, Rick (February 6, 2014). "Lifetime picks up Buffy EP Marti Noxon's Un-Real to series". Zap2it.com. Archived from the original on March 5, 2014. Retrieved January 21, 2015.
  20. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (February 6, 2014). "Lifetime Picks Up Marti Noxon's Dark Comedy Pilot Un-Real To Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 21, 2015.
  21. ^ O'Connell, Michael (July 6, 2015). "Lifetime Renews Unreal for Second Season". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 6, 2015.
  22. ^ Paley Center for Media (July 30, 2015). "PaleyLive: An Evening with the Cast & Creators of UnREAL". Yahoo!. Archived from the original on October 19, 2015. Retrieved August 1, 2015.
  23. ^ Masters, Megan (September 20, 2013). "TVLine Items: New Supernatural Poster Revealed, Shiri Appleby Joins Buffy Vet's Pilot and More!". TVLine. Retrieved February 9, 2014.
  24. ^ Goldberg, Lesley (September 30, 2013). "Harry Potter Alum Books Unreal Work for Lifetime (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 9, 2014.
  25. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (October 1, 2013). "Josh Kelly Books Lifetime Pilot Unreal, Grainger Hines Joins Cinemax's The Knick". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 9, 2014.
  26. ^ Goldberg, Lesley (October 22, 2013). "Secret Life Alum to Co-Star in Lifetime's Unreal (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 9, 2014.
  27. ^ Ng, Philiana (November 7, 2013). "Lifetime's Shiri Appleby Drama Pilot Adds Jericho Alum". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 10, 2015.
  28. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (June 2, 2014). "Constance Zimmer To Star In New Lifetime Series Un-Real". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 9, 2015.
  29. ^ Nellie Andreeva (July 22, 2014). "Craig Bierko To Star In New Lifetime Series Un-Real, Michael Irby Joins The Lottery". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 9, 2015.
  30. ^ "JR Bourne & Siobhan Williams Join Lifetime's Un-Real". Deadline Hollywood. August 8, 2014. Retrieved May 9, 2015.[dead link]
  31. ^ "Lifetime Puts First Four Episodes of Unreal Online". Variety. June 6, 2015. Retrieved June 15, 2015.
  32. ^ Knox, David (July 1, 2015). "Airdate: UnREAL". TVTonight. Retrieved July 3, 2015.
  33. ^ "UnReal may be the realest (and best) thing all year". Stuff.co.nz. June 5, 2015. Retrieved July 3, 2015.
  34. ^ "Amazon Poaches UK Rights To Lifetime's UnReal". TVWise. June 7, 2016. Retrieved June 28, 2016.
  35. ^ Handelzalts, Michael (August 19, 2016). "In Reality, 'UnReal' Shows Who Really Runs the Show". Haaretz. Retrieved February 23, 2018.
  36. ^ "'Unreal' season 2 to take on gender and equality based issues". Indian Television Dot Com. March 9, 2016. Retrieved February 23, 2018.
  37. ^ "'UnReal' ya tiene fecha y hora de estreno en Atreseries". March 4, 2016.
  38. ^ Rovenstine, Dalene (May 18, 2015). "Lifetime's drama UnREAL shows a twisty take on reality show dating". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved June 10, 2015.
  39. ^ a b c d e f g Moore, Frazier (May 29, 2015). "Unscripted TV Stripped Bare by Scripted Drama UnREAL". Associated Press/The New York Times. Retrieved June 10, 2015.
  40. ^ a b c Caramanica, Jon (May 31, 2015). "Lifetime's UnREAL Traces the Cracks in Reality TV's Fourth Wall". The New York Times. Retrieved June 10, 2015.
  41. ^ Barr, Merrill (May 25, 2015). "UnREAL Review: The Drama Lifetime Was Born To Make Arrives In Insane Glory". Forbes. Retrieved June 10, 2015.
  42. ^ Rovenstine, Dalene (June 1, 2015). "Lifetime's scripted drama about a reality dating show goes deliciously dark". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on June 10, 2015. Retrieved June 10, 2015.
  43. ^ Jensen, Jeff (December 9, 2015). "The 10 Best New Shows of 2015: Jeff Jensen's Picks". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved December 28, 2015.
  44. ^ "UnReal: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. June 1, 2015. Retrieved June 2, 2015.
  45. ^ "UnReal". Metacritic. Retrieved June 2, 2015.
  46. ^ Petski, Denise (May 26, 2015). "Critics' Choice TV Awards Top New Series Revealed". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 2, 2015.
  47. ^ "Unreal Season 2 Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved June 3, 2016.
  48. ^ "UnReal: Season 2". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved June 14, 2016.
  49. ^ UnReal, retrieved July 17, 2018
  50. ^ UnReal: Season 3 - Rotten Tomatoes, retrieved July 17, 2018
  51. ^ "2015 // The Critics' Choice Television Awards Winners | Critics Choice Awards". members.criticschoice.com. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  52. ^ "AFI AWARDS 2015". American Film Institute. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  53. ^ Hipes, Patrick (December 14, 2015). "Critics' Choice Awards Nominations: Mad Max Leads Film; ABC, HBO, FX Networks & Fargo Top TV". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 28, 2015.
  54. ^ Birnbaum, Debra (April 22, 2016). "'Black-ish,' 'Master of None,' 'Mr. Robot' Among 2015 Peabody Awards Winners". Variety. Retrieved April 23, 2016.
  55. ^ Gelman, Vlada (June 22, 2016). "TCA Awards: Mr. Robot, People v. O.J., Americans, Crazy-Ex Lead Nominees". TVLine. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
  56. ^ Rice, Lynette (July 14, 2016). "Emmy nominations 2016: See the full list". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
  57. ^ "2016 Critics' Choice Awards: Complete List of TV Nominations". ABC News. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  58. ^ "TVLine Items: UnREAL Gets Spinoff, Legends Adds Time Master and More". TVLine. January 21, 2016. Retrieved January 21, 2016.
[edit]