Inventing Anna
{{Short description|2022 American drama television miniseries}}
{{Use American English|date=February 2022}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2022}}
{{Infobox television
| image = Inventing Anna title card.png
| genre = Drama
| creator = Shonda Rhimes
| inspired_by = {{Based on|"How Anna Delvey Tricked New York's Party People"|Jessica Pressler}}
| writer =
| director =
| starring = {{Plainlist|
- Anna Chlumsky
- Julia Garner
- Arian Moayed
- Katie Lowes
- Alexis Floyd
- Anders Holm
- Anna Deavere Smith
- Jeff Perry
- Terry Kinney
- Laverne Cox
}}
| music = {{Plainlist|
- Kris Bowers
- Pierre Charles
}}
| country = United States
| language = English
| num_episodes = 9
| list_episodes =
| executive_producer = {{Plainlist|
- Shonda Rhimes
- Betsy Beers
- Tom Verica
- David Frankel
}}
| producer = {{Plainlist|
- Jess Brownell
- Holden Chang
- Jessica Pressler
}}
| cinematography = {{Plainlist|
- Maryse Alberti
- David Franco
- Tim Norman
- Manuel Billeter
}}
| editor = {{Plainlist|
- Kayla M. Emter
- Gregory T. Evans
- Matt Pevic
- Andrew Hellesen
- Kyle Bond
- Christal Atossa Khatib
- Michael Hathaway
}}
| runtime = 59–82 minutes
| company = Shondaland
| network = Netflix
| released = {{Start date|2022|2|11}}
}}
Inventing Anna is an American drama television miniseries created by Shonda Rhimes, inspired by the story of Anna Sorokin and the article in New York titled "How Anna Delvey Tricked New York's Party People"{{cite web|url=https://www.thecut.com/article/how-anna-delvey-tricked-new-york.html#_ga=2.187905384.191950227.1672591417-2101575165.1670157025 | date=May 2018 | title=Maybe She Had So Much Money She Just Lost Track of It|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220209205435/https://www.thecut.com/article/how-anna-delvey-tricked-new-york.html|archive-date=9 February 2022| author=Pressler, Jessica|website=thecut.com|publisher=New York Magazine }} by Jessica Pressler. It was produced by Shondaland. Netflix released the miniseries on February 11, 2022.{{Cite news |url=https://deadline.com/2018/07/shondaland-netflix-series-slate-1202430614/ |title=Shondaland Unveils Netflix Series Slate: 'The Warmth Of Other Suns', White House Drama 'The Residence', Ellen Pao Project, More |last1=Andreeva |first1=Nellie |last2=Petski |first2=Denise |work=Deadline Hollywood |date=July 20, 2018 |archive-date=November 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109003321/https://deadline.com/2018/07/shondaland-netflix-series-slate-1202430614/ |url-status=live}}
The miniseries stars Julia Garner in the title role. Critics praised its performances (particularly Garner) but criticized its inconsistent tone.
Premise
Under the assumed name Anna Delvey, Russian-born Anna Sorokin infiltrated New York's high society by convincing them she was a German socialite and an heiress to a massive fortune, all while scheming and scamming them out of millions.
Cast and characters
=Main=
- Anna Chlumsky as Vivian Kent{{cite web |url=https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/inventing-anna-cast-guide|title=A Guide to All the Scammers and Scammees of 'Inventing Anna' |first=Lydia |last=Wang |work=Netflix|date=February 11, 2022 |archive-date=February 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220214235101/https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/inventing-anna-cast-guide |url-status=live}}
- Julia Garner as Anna Sorokin/Delvey
- Arian Moayed as Todd Spodek
- Katie Lowes as Rachel Williams
- Alexis Floyd as Neff Davis
- Anders Holm as Jack
- Anna Deavere Smith as Maud
- Jeff Perry as Lou
- Terry Kinney as Barry
- Laverne Cox as Kacy Duke
=Recurring=
- Rebecca Henderson as ADA Catherine McCaw
- Kate Burton as Nora Radford
- Saamer Usmani as Chase Sikorski
- Tim Guinee as Paul
- Gabriel Sloyer as Gabriel Calatrava
- Armand Schultz as Landon Bloom
- Anthony Edwards as Alan Reed{{cite web |title=Anthony Edwards Knows Some Good Things Take Time |url=https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/tv/a39038065/anthony-edwards-life-after-er-inventing-anna-2022/ |work=Esquire |last=Holmes |first=Dave |date=February 11, 2022 |archive-date=February 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220213055907/https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/tv/a39038065/anthony-edwards-life-after-er-inventing-anna-2022/ |url-status=live}}
=Guest=
- Caitlin FitzGerald as Mags
- James Cusati-Moyer as Val
- Marika Domińczyk as Talia Mallay
- Joshua Malina as Henrick Knight
- Christopher Lowell as Noah
- Ben Rappaport as Billy McFarland
- Will Stephen as Martin Shkreli
- Gemma McIlhenny as D.O.C. Officer
- Kieron J. Anthony as Dr. Millikan
- Tracy Pollan as Sherry Reed
Episodes
{{Episode table |background=#960018 |overall= |title= |director= |writer= |airdate= |episodes=
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 1
|Title = Life of a VIP
|DirectedBy = David Frankel
|WrittenBy = Shonda Rhimes
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|2|11}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 000000
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 2
|Title = The Devil Wore Anna
|DirectedBy = Tom Verica
|WrittenBy = Matt Byrne
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|2|11}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 000000
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 3
|Title = Two Birds, One Throne
|DirectedBy = Daisy von Scherler Mayer
|WrittenBy = Jess Brownell
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|2|11}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 000000
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 4
|Title = A Wolf in Chic Clothing
|DirectedBy = David Frankel
|WrittenBy = Abby Ajayi
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|2|11}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 000000
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 5
|Title = Check Out Time
|DirectedBy = Ellen Kuras
|WrittenBy = Carolyn Ingber Lewinsky and Abby Ajayi
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|2|11}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 000000
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 6
|Title = Friends in Low Places
|DirectedBy = Nzingha Stewart
|WrittenBy = Jess Brownell
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|2|11}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 000000
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 7
|Title = Cash on Delivery
|DirectedBy = Nzingha Stewart
|WrittenBy = Abby Ajayi
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|2|11}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 000000
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 8
|Title = Too Rich for Her Blood
|DirectedBy = Tom Verica
|WrittenBy = Nicholas Nardini
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|2|11}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 000000
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 9
|Title = Dangerously Close
|DirectedBy = Ellen Kuras
|WrittenBy = Matt Byrne
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|2|11}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 000000
}}
}}
Production
In June 2018, Netflix and Shondaland acquired the rights to the life story of Anna Sorokin and the New York article "How Anna Delvey Tricked New York's Party People" by Jessica Pressler, with plans to turn it into a television series with Shonda Rhimes serving as producer and writer, alongside Betsy Beers. Sorokin received $320,000, which was used to pay restitution and legal fees.{{cite news |url=https://deadline.com/2018/06/shonda-rhimes-netflix-seriesanna-delvey-1202406702/ |title=Shonda Rhimes Sets Netflix Series Based On Anna Delvey |first=Nellie |last=Andreeva |date=June 8, 2018 |website=Deadline Hollywood |archive-date=June 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612143326/https://deadline.com/2018/06/shonda-rhimes-netflix-seriesanna-delvey-1202406702/ |url-status=live}} David Frankel was named as director and executive producer of two episodes of the series, including the first.{{cite press release |url=https://media.netflix.com/en/press-releases/netflix-and-shondaland-unveil-cast-of-limited-series-inventing-anna |title=NETFLIX AND SHONDALAND UNVEIL CAST OF LIMITED SERIES INVENTING ANNA |date=October 31, 2019 | publisher=Netflix |archive-date=November 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191104093643/https://media.netflix.com/en/press-releases/netflix-and-shondaland-unveil-cast-of-limited-series-inventing-anna |url-status=live}}
In October 2019, Julia Garner, Anna Chlumsky, Katie Lowes, Laverne Cox, and Alexis Floyd joined the cast of the series.{{Cite news |url=https://deadline.com/2019/10/anna-chlumsky-julia-garnercast-in-shonda-rhimes-netflix-series-based-on-anna-delvey-katie-lowes-laverne-cox-alexis-floyd-1202773977/ |title=Anna Chlumsky & Julia Garner Among 5 Cast In Shonda Rhimes' Netflix Series Based On Anna Delvey |date=October 31, 2019 |last1=Andreeva |first1=Nellie |last2=Petski |first2=Denise | work=Deadline Hollywood |archive-date=October 31, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191031233419/https://deadline.com/2019/10/anna-chlumsky-julia-garnercast-in-shonda-rhimes-netflix-series-based-on-anna-delvey-katie-lowes-laverne-cox-alexis-floyd-1202773977/|url-status=live}} Madeline Brewer was set to portray the role of Anna Delvey but had to pass due to scheduling conflicts.{{cite news |url=https://variety.com/2019/film/news/madeline-brewer-keenan-johnson-hulu-ultimate-playlist-of-noise-1203390579/|title=Madeline Brewer and Keean Johnson to Star in Hulu's 'The Ultimate Playlist of Noise' | work=Variety |first=Justin |last=Kroll |date=November 1, 2019 |archive-date=December 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191213170224/https://variety.com/2019/film/news/madeline-brewer-keenan-johnson-hulu-ultimate-playlist-of-noise-1203390579/ |url-status=live}} Also in October 2019, principal photography began in New York and Los Angeles.{{cite web |url=https://productionlist.com/filming-october-betsy-beers-direct-upcoming-series-inventing-anna-new-york-ny-united-states/ |title=Filming in October: Upcoming Series 'Inventing Anna' in New York |website=Production List | publisher=FTIA | date=October 16, 2019 |archive-date=September 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920075637/https://productionlist.com/filming-october-betsy-beers-direct-upcoming-series-inventing-anna-new-york-ny-united-states/ |url-status=live}}
In November 2019, Arian Moayed, Anders Holm, Anna Deavere Smith, Jeff Perry and Terry Kinney joined the cast of the series.{{Cite news |url=https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/shonda-rhimes-anna-delvey-series-netflix-cast-2-1203397339/ |title=Shonda Rhimes' Anna Delvey Series at Netflix Adds Five More to Cast |last1=Otterson |first1=Joe |date=November 7, 2019 | work=Variety |archive-date=December 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191214053047/https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/shonda-rhimes-anna-delvey-series-netflix-cast-2-1203397339/ |url-status=live}} In February 2020, Jennifer Esposito joined the cast of the series, but she never appeared and the part of Talia was played by Marika Dominczyk.{{cite news |url=https://deadline.com/2020/02/jennifer-esposito-shonda-rhimes-anna-delvey-netflix-series-inventing-anna-1202850812/ |title=Jennifer Esposito Joins Shonda Rhimes' Netflix Series 'Inventing Anna' |first1=Nellie |last1=Andreeva |first2=Denise |last2=Petski |date=February 5, 2020 |work=Deadline Hollywood |archive-date=June 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200604210905/https://deadline.com/2020/02/jennifer-esposito-shonda-rhimes-anna-delvey-netflix-series-inventing-anna-1202850812/ |url-status=live}}{{cite news| url=https://www.thewrap.com/inventing-anna-cast-characters/ |title='Inventing Anna' Cast and Character Guide: Who's Who in the Netflix Show? (Photos) |first=Harper |last=Lambert |date=February 18, 2022 |work=TheWrap |archive-date=February 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226110914/https://www.thewrap.com/inventing-anna-cast-characters/ |url-status=live}}
On February 11, 2022, Inventing Anna premiered on Netflix.{{cite news |url=https://deadline.com/video/inventing-anna-shondaland-netflix-series-gets-premiere-date-first-look-teaser/ |title='Inventing Anna': Shondaland Netflix Series Gets Premiere Date, First-Look Teaser |first=Denise | last=Petski |date=November 22, 2021 | work=Deadline Hollywood |archive-date=November 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211122160535/https://deadline.com/video/inventing-anna-shondaland-netflix-series-gets-premiere-date-first-look-teaser/ |url-status=live}}
Reception
=Reviews=
On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the series holds a 64% approval rating based on 87 reviews, with an average rating of 6.2/10. The website's critics consensus reads, "While Inventing Anna is as tonally wobbly as Julia Garner's intentionally daffy accent, her committed performance and the salacious story make for juicy entertainment."{{Cite Rotten Tomatoes|id=inventing_anna|title=Inventing Anna|type=tv|season=1|access-date=January 28, 2023}}{{cbignore}} On Metacritic, the series has a score of 57 out of 100, based on 34 reviews, indicating "mixed or average reviews".{{Cite Metacritic|id=inventing-anna |title=Inventing Anna|type=tv|season=1|access-date=June 5, 2022}}{{cbignore}}
Saloni Gajjar of The A.V. Club gave the limited series a B− and said, "Despite its more evocative performances, Inventing Anna demands patience that doesn't pay off, squandering its promising potential along the way."{{cite news |url=https://www.avclub.com/inventing-anna-netflix-review-1848492416 |title=Netflix's Inventing Anna loses its exciting potential in a dawdling script |first=Saloni |last=Gajjar |date=February 9, 2022 |website=The A.V. Club |archive-date=February 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220209223813/https://www.avclub.com/inventing-anna-netflix-review-1848492416 |url-status=live}} Reviewing the series for Rolling Stone, Alan Sepinwall gave a rating of 2/5 and described it as "an overly long muddle, never quite sure what it wants to say about its title character, or how to say it."{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv/tv-reviews/inventing-anna-review-1294269/ |title='Inventing Anna' Can't Catch the Scammer at Its Center |first=Alan |last=Sepinwall |date=February 9, 2022 |magazine=Rolling Stone |archive-date=February 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220209141309/https://www.rollingstone.com/tv/tv-reviews/inventing-anna-review-1294269/ |url-status=live}}
Mike Hale, television critic at the New York Times, praised some elements of the series and criticized others. Notably, he compared the original thrilling nature of the article to the slower pace of the television series: "Pressler's article was like a speeding car, a thrill ride that kept your pulse up right until it went off a cliff. Inventing Anna is a long, pokey road trip with no G.P.S. All of Pressler's most colorful anecdotes and appalling details have been squeezed in, sometimes tweaked to fit better within what is now a fictional narrative. But the thrill is gone."{{Cite news |last=Hale |first=Mike |date=2022-02-10 |title='Inventing Anna' Review: The SoHo Scammer, Explained at Length |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/10/arts/television/inventing-anna-review-netflix.html |access-date=2022-08-08 |issn=0362-4331}}
Hayley Maitland of Vogue faulted the series for misrepresenting a "Celine-obsessed grifter" as a "21st-century Jay Gatsby, with 281 Park Avenue standing in for Daisy Buchanan". She also noted that the series identified real person Rachel Deloache Williams by full name, real employer, real apartment location, and real alma mater but showed major falsehoods about her, including wearing expensive designer clothes given to her by Anna Delvey, even though Delvey never gave her any clothes; being fired for putting the unexpected $62,000 cost of the trip on her company credit card, even though she transferred the full amount to her personal credit card; and admitting at the courthouse right after giving her testimony that the credit card company had forgiven the debt, even though that did not happen until after the trial was over. Maitland also faults the series for demonizing Williams for doing essentially the same thing a sympathetic character does and points out that Williams is the victim most injured by Delvey. {{cite journal |last1=Maitland |first1=Hayley |title=Why Does Inventing Anna Turn Its Victim Into a Joke? |journal=Vogue |date=February 28, 2022 |url=https://www.vogue.com/article/inventing-anna-rachel-portrayal |access-date=July 19, 2023}}
=Audience viewership=
According to Samba TV, 1.6 million US households watched the Netflix series in its first 4 days of streaming.{{Cite web |date=2022-03-10 |title=Based on true crime series Inventing Anna & The Dropout score big for Netflix & Hulu |url=https://www.joblo.com/inventing-anna-and-the-dropout-score-big-for-netflix-and-hulu/ |access-date=2022-07-11 |website=JoBlo |language=en-US}}
The series is among Netflix's all-time most watched English language TV series, with 511.92 million hours watched in the first 28 days of release.{{Cite web |last=Moore |first=Kasey |date=2023-03-15 |title=Most Watched Series & Movies on Netflix of All Time (Hours Watched) |url=https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/what-to-watch/most-watched-series-movies-of-all-time-hours-watched/ |access-date=2023-03-15 |website=What's on Netflix |language=en}}
=Accolades=
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Netflix title}}
- {{IMDb title}}
{{Shonda Rhimes}}
{{Netflix original ended series (2019–present)}}
Category:2020s American drama television miniseries
Category:2022 American television series debuts
Category:2022 American television series endings
Category:American English-language television shows
Category:Netflix television dramas
Category:Television series based on actual events
Category:Television series by Shondaland
Category:Television series created by Shonda Rhimes
Category:Television series set in 2017
Category:Television series set in 2018
Category:Television series set in 2019
Category:Television shows filmed in Los Angeles
Category:Television shows filmed in New York City
Category:Television shows set in Germany
Category:Television shows set in Los Angeles
Category:Television shows set in New York City
Category:Television shows set in Morocco