TCAs 2014: 'The Normal Heart' Premieres This May on HBO
Credit: HBO
The Television Critics Association Winter Press Tour has revealed a lot about what we can expect on TV this year. Among the more hyped projects of the year is director Ryan Murphy's adaptation of writer Larry Kramer's Tony Award-winning play, The Normal Heart.
The Normal Heart stars Academy Award nominee Mark Ruffalo (The Kids Are All Right), Matt Bomer (White Collar), Taylor Kitsch (Lone Survivor), Emmy winner Jim Parsons (The Big Bang Theory) and Oscar winner Julia Roberts.
The film tells the story of the onset of the HIV-AIDS crisis in New York City in the early 1980s, providing an unflinching look into the sexual politics of the era, as gay activists and their allies in the medical community fight to expose the truth about the burgeoning epidemic to a city and nation in denial.
The Normal Heart also stars Alfred Molina (An Education), Tony Award winner Joe Mantello (Law & Order), Jonathan Groff (HBO’s Looking), Denis O’Hare (HBO’s True Blood), Stephen Spinella (Milk), Corey Stoll (House of Cards), Finn Wittrock (Unbroken) and BD Wong (HBO’s Oz). An HBO Films presentation of a Plan B and Blumhouse production in association with Ryan Murphy Productions, The Normal Heart is executive produced by Ryan Murphy, Dante Di Loreto (Glee), Jason Blum (the Paranormal Activity series), Brad Pitt (Moneyball), and Dede Gardner (12 Years a Slave). Mark Ruffalo co-executive produces while Scott Ferguson (HBO’s Temple Grandin) produces.
Ruffalo portrays Ned Weeks, who witnesses first-hand a mysterious disease that has begun to claim the lives of many in his gay community and starts to seek answers. Matt Bomer plays Felix Turner, a reporter who becomes Ned’s lover. Taylor Kitsch plays Bruce Niles, a closeted investment banker who becomes a prominent AIDS activist. Jim Parsons plays gay activist Tommy Boatwright, reprising his role from the 2011 Broadway revival. Roberts plays physician Dr. Emma Brookner, a survivor of childhood polio who treats several of the earliest victims of HIV-AIDS.
Alfred Molina plays Ned’s older brother, Ben, who is a successful attorney. Joe Mantello plays Mickey Marcus, who is an instrumental member of the Gay Men’s Health Crisis. Jonathan Groff plays Craig, Bruce’s lover, an early victim of HIV-AIDS. Denis O’Hare portrays Hiram Keebler, Mayor Koch’s gay aide. Stephen Spinella plays Sanford, one of Dr. Brookner’s first patients. Corey Stoll portrays presidential senior advisor John Bower. Finn Wittrock plays Albert, a male model. BD Wong portrays Buzzy, a nurse who works with Dr. Brookner.
In 1981, writer Larry Kramer hosted a gathering of six gay men and their friends to discuss the “gay cancer,” and to talk about fundraising for research. This informal meeting in Kramer’s home would lead to the formation of Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC), one of the first advocacy groups for HIV prevention and care.
Kramer’s play debuted at New York’s Public Theatre in 1985 and was revived in Los Angeles and London, and off-Broadway. The 2011 Broadway revival garnered five Tony nominations, winning for Best Revival, Best Featured Actor and Best Featured Actress.
The talented behind-the-scenes team includes production designer Shane Valentino (Beginners), director of photography Danny Moder (Jesus Henry Christ), editor Adam Penn (American Horror Story), costumer designer Daniel Orlandi (HBO’s Game Change), composer Cliff Martinez (Drive) and casting directors Amanda Mackey (The Proposal) and Cathy Sandrich Gelfond (Ronin).
The Normal Heart premieres this May on HBO.