The Deuce
Once upon a time in America, pleasure became a business.
The story of the legalization and subsequent rise of the porn industry in New York’s Times Square from the early ’70s through the mid ’80s, exploring the rough-and-tumble world that existed there until the rise of HIV, the violence of the cocaine epidemic and the renewed real estate market ended the bawdy turbulence of the area.
Seasons
1. Pilot
Air Date: 2017-09-10
Twin brothers Vincent and Frankie Martino navigate their way through the rough-and-tumble world of 1971 Times Square. Vincent crosses paths with other midtown denizens while plotting to improve his situation. Abby gets enlisted to buy amphetamines.
2. Show and Prove
Air Date: 2017-09-17
Vincent moves into a seedy hotel and contemplates an offer from mob capo Rudy Pipilo. Bobby hopes to take advantage of Vincent's new connections. Filmmaking intrigues Candy. C.C. shows Lori the benefits of having a pimp. Larry feels unsettled.
3. The Principle Is All
Air Date: 2017-09-24
The appearance of an unexpected partner surprises Vincent. Rudy buys into a rival's plan to reconfigure the Deuce. Candy considers entering the filmmaking business. Abby languishes in her new job. Darlene works overtime to compensate Larry.
4. I See Money
Air Date: 2017-10-01
Rudy dangles a lucrative offer in front of Vincent. Longo uses strong-arm tactics to restore order among Bobby's unhappy construction workers. Candy attracts unwanted attention and is intrigued by a legitimate suitor. Paul questions his place at the Hi-Hat. Frankie hits a hot streak. Darlene gets a gift from Abby. Alston sees through Sandra. Bristling after a police shakedown, Vincent adds muscle in the person of Black Frankie, a Vietnam war vet.
5. What Kind of Bad?
Air Date: 2017-10-08
Looking for a way out of his construction gig, Bobby tries to change Vincent's mind about Rudy's offer. Darlene returns from a trip home with a new girl, disappointing Abby. Roughed up by a john, Candy contemplates a change of careers. After getting busted, Paul explores the underbelly, and the exhilaration, of gay life in the city. With an assist from Alston, Sandra scores a key interview with a pimp.
6. Why Me?
Air Date: 2017-10-15
An end-of-the-year crackdown by police in and around The Deuce sparks Vincent and Bobby. Candy tries to persuade Harvey, her adult-film director, that she can do more than act. Rudy witnesses a pivotal lower-court ruling on obscenity, and enlists Frankie and Big Mike to protect his interests in the peeps. Alston tries to convince Sandra that he's not just a “source.”
7. Au Reservoir
Air Date: 2017-10-22
With police pushing their business off the streets, C.C., Larry, Rodney and other pimps worry about becoming obsolete. Candy eyes a different job on Harvey's set as Lori struggles with the demands of porn acting. At her wit's end, Ashley hangs out with Frankie and, later, washes up on Abby's door. Bobby is smitten with an employee.
8. My Name Is Ruby
Air Date: 2017-10-29
In the Season 1 finale, Vincent balks at getting in deeper with Rudy, as expansion fever hits Frankie and Bobby. Candy gets a taste of directing, and enjoys the red-carpet perks of a major premiere. Alston finds himself in limbo at his precinct. Abby changes up the Hi-Hat's clientele; Sandra faces editorial and legal hurdles; Vincent settles a score.
1. The Camera Loves You
Air Date: 2019-09-09
On the eve of 1985, a worn-out Vincent reconnects with his ex-wife, Andrea, as his open relationship with Abby grows more distant. Despite becoming a family man, Frankie continues his risky side hustles. With the newly dominant VHS format shaking up their industry, Candy and Harvey travel to Las Vegas for an adult film convention. Now a bartender at the Hi-Hat, Loretta becomes an active member of Women Against Pornography.
2. Morta di Fame
Air Date: 2019-09-16
Frankie takes his amateur porn business to the next level and ends up in a confrontation with Rudy, who pushes Vincent to up his profits. Candy brainstorms a new film based on the experiences of her fellow sex workers and finds that her new beau Hank is not shaken by her past. Abby and Loretta take care of Shay when she shows up to the Hi-Hat in bad shape.
3. Normal Is a Lie
Air Date: 2019-09-23
Abby befriends a graffiti artist named Pilar and takes a surprising trip downtown. Candy sets a firm line with Hank when it comes to money. Todd re-examines his priorities and asks for Paul's support. Melissa is forced to face her past.
4. They Can Never Go Home
Air Date: 2019-09-30
Lori returns to New York for an audition and runs into some familiar faces. Candy speaks to her critics at a Women Against Pornography meeting. Alston takes a drastic step to deliver for Goldman. Vincent and Frankie celebrate an eventful birthday.
5. You Only Get One
Air Date: 2019-10-07
A distraught Vincent follows a lead down a dangerous path. Paul reaches out to Tod's parents. Candy battles Harvey over her latest script. Lori hits the feature dancing circuit. Abby reflects on her choices. Bobby does right by Black Frankie. Alston defends the plan to clean up Midtown. Gene reckons with his conflicted personal life.
6. This Trust Thing
Air Date: 2019-10-14
In the wake of a personal loss, Candy finds the emotional core of her latest movie. Abby confronts Vincent after she makes an alarming discovery. Paul turns to activism as the AIDS epidemic continues to ravage New York's gay community.
7. That's a Wrap
Air Date: 2019-10-21
A struggling Lori turns to Candy for help before revisiting The Deuce. Candy makes a surprising deal to secure funding for her film. Abby takes a stand against the latest phase of Midtown redevelopment. Tommy explains the new world order to Vincent.
8. Finish It
Air Date: 2019-10-28
Big changes come to The Deuce as Gene sees opportunity in the city's public health crisis. Vincent looks to get out from under the mob's thumb and makes peace with Abby. Candy makes a critical choice in her relationship with Hank.
Select an episode to start watching
Rating
7.6/10
Release Date
2017-09-10
Episodes
25 (3 seasons)
Status
Ended
Cast
James Franco
Vincent Martino / Frankie Martino
Maggie Gyllenhaal
Eileen 'Candy' Merrell
Chris Bauer
Bobby Dwyer
Chris Coy
Paul Hendrickson
Lawrence Gilliard Jr.
Chris Alston
Luke Kirby
Gene Goldman
Margarita Levieva
Abigail 'Abby' Parker
Emily Meade
Lori Madison
Michael Rispoli
Rudy Pipilo
Sepideh Moafi
Loretta
Daniel Sauli
Tommy Longo
David Krumholtz
Harvey Wasserman
Videos
Production Companies
Blown Deadline Productions