Plot Synopsis

FEUD: CAPOTE VS. THE SWANS is the second installment of Ryan Murphy's FEUD anthology and is based on the bestselling book "Capote's Women: A True Story of Love, Betrayal, and a Swan Song for an Era" by Laurence Leamer. Acclaimed writer Truman Capote surrounded himself with a coterie of society's most elite women -- rich, glamorous socialites who defined a bygone era of high society New York -- whom he nicknamed "the swans." Beautiful and distinguished, the group included grande dame Barbara "Babe" Paley, Slim Keith, C.Z. Guest, and Lee Radziwill. Enchanted and captivated by these doyennes, Capote ingratiated himself into their lives, befriending them and becoming their confidante, only to ultimately betray them by writing a thinly veiled fictionalization of their lives, exposing their most intimate secrets. When an excerpt from the book, "Answered Prayers," Capote's planned magnum opus, was published in "Esquire," it effectively destroyed his relationship with his swans, banished him from the high society he so loved, and sent him into a spiral of self-destruction from which he would ultimately never recover. This eight-episode limited series premiered its first two episodes on Wednesday, January 31, 2024 at 10pm ET/PT on FX, simulcast with a special Director's Cut of the first episode on FXX. All episodes, including the Director's Cut, are available to stream next day on Hulu. Episodes include:

"Pilot" (Wednesday, January 31, 2024 at 10pm): Truman Capote is the toast of New York society. But a dishy excerpt published in Esquire Magazine threatens to topple him from his precarious perch. Written by Jon Robin Baitz; Directed by Gus Van Sant.

"Ice Water in Their Veins" (Wednesday, January 31, 2024 at 11:20pm): In the aftermath of the Esquire article, Truman starts on a downward spiral. The Swans form a unified front. Written by Jon Robin Baitz; Directed by Gus Van Sant.

"Masquerade 1966" (Wednesday, February 7, 2024 at 10pm): In 1966, documentary filmmakers the Maysles brothers capture the events leading up to and following Truman's iconic Black and White Ball. Written by Jon Robin Baitz; Directed by Gus Van Sant.

"It's Impossible" (Wednesday, February 14, 2024 at 10pm): Babe makes peace with a harsh reality. Truman makes an effort to get sober. Written by Jon Robin Baitz; Directed by Gus Van Sant.

"The Secret Inner Lives of Swans" (Wednesday, February 21, 2024 at 10pm): In November 1975, the day after the Esquire article is published, Truman receives an inspiring visit from a fellow writer.

"Hats, Gloves and Effete Homosexuals" (Wednesday, February 28, 2024 at 10pm): In New York, it's the end of an era; in California, Truman tries to usher in a new era with a hunky beau.

"Beautiful Babe" (Wednesday, March 6, 2024 at 10pm): Babe reflects on her life and her greatest treasures; Truman and the Swans reel in the fallout of a tragedy.

"Phantasm Forgiveness" (Wednesday, March 13, 2024 at 10pm): Past, present and future collide as Truman makes a final push to finish Answered Prayers.