MASTERS OF SEX

Episode Synopses

101 – Pilot

Written by Michelle Ashford

Directed by John Madden

Dr. William Masters, Washington University’s foremost OB/GYN, runs a successful medical practice by day and conducts a secret study of human sexuality by night. Former nightclub singer Virginia Johnson joins the hospital secretarial staff and proves herself to be an asset to Masters’ work.

102 – Race To Space

Written by Michelle Ashford

Directed by Michael Dinner

On the heels of Masters’ proposal that they participate in the sexual response study, Johnson considers the best course of action to keep her job – only to find she no longer has one. The study has been forced out of the hospital and Masters believes Johnson is to blame. As Johnson fights to save her job and struggles to care for her kids, Masters moves his study to a brothel. But Masters soon discovers that the chaos of the cathouse is unmanageable without Johnson’s help.

103 – Standard Deviation

Written by Sam Shaw

Directed by Lawrence Trilling

Masters and Johnson continue their research in the brothel but skewed data confirms that Masters must get the study back into the hospital. At the hospital, Johnson is surprised to learn that a distinguished new doctor on the OB/GYN floor is a woman who has no interest in female solidarity. Meanwhile, Libby struggles to conceive and Dr. Ethan Haas gets the case of a lifetime – a woman pregnant with quadruplets.

 

 

MASTERS OF SEX BIO’S:

MICHAEL SHEEN – “Dr. William Masters”

 

MICHAEL SHEEN has proved himself equally accomplished on both stage and screen.  His many award-winning stage performances include Caligula and Frost/Nixon at the Donmar, and Hamlet at the Young Vic.  He created, co-directed, and performed in the groundbreaking three-day live event The Passion in Port Talbot for National Theatre Wales. 

 

Mr. Sheen has starred in three films nominated for the Best Picture Academy Award: The Queen, directed by Stephen Frears, Frost/Nixon, directed by Ron Howard, and Midnight in Paris, directed by Woody Allen.

 

He is known to millions as a vampire in The Twilight Saga films and a werewolf in the Underworld franchise.   His other feature credits include The Damned United, directed by Tom Hooper; Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland; and Tron: Legacy, directed by Joseph Kosinski.

 

On British television, Mr. Sheen earned awards for his performances in both Kenneth Williams: Fantabulosa!, directed by Andy De Emmony, in which he played Mr. Williams, and Dirty Filthy Love, directed by Adrian Shergold.  On the NBC series 30 Rock, he created the memorable characterization of Liz Lemon’s (Tina Fey) boyfriend, Wesley Snipes.

 

He received an Emmy Award nomination for his portrayal of Tony Blair in HBO’s The Special Relationship, directed by Richard Loncraine.  In 2009, Mr. Sheen was honored by the Queen with an O.B.E. for his services to Drama.

 

He next stars in the new Showtime series, tentatively entitled Masters of Sex, the premiere episode of which was directed by John Madden. Mr. Sheen is also a producer on the show. 

 

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LIZZY CAPLAN – “Virginia Johnson”

 

Lizzy Caplan will next be seen starring opposite Michael Sheen in the Showtime drama series about the lives of the sex researchers William Masters and Virginia Johnson, “Masters of Sex,” which will premiere in September 2013.  In 2012, Caplan starred in SAVE THE DATE (Sundance Film Festival 2012) with Alison Brie, written and directed by Michael Mohan, BACHELORETTE, another 2012 Sundance Film Festival premiere, written and directed by Leslye Headland in which she starred opposite Kirsten Dunst and Isla Fisher, and 3, 2, 1…FRANKIE GOES BOOM, a comedy with Charlie Hunnam, Chris O’Dowd and Ron Perlman.

 

In addition to her break-out role as 'Janice Ian' in MEAN GIRLS, Caplan's film credits include the following: QUEENS OF COUNTRY; HOT TUB TIME MACHINE; JJ Abrams's sci-fi hit CLOVERFIELD, MY BEST FRIEND'S GIRL; CROSSING OVER; LOVE IS THE DRUG; CRASHING; and THE LAST RITES OF RANSOM PRIDE.  She also produced and starred in the short film SUCCESSFUL ALCOHOLICS, which premiered at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival.

 

Caplan’s recent television credits include a multi-episode arc on the hit Golden Globe-nominated comedy “New Girl,” starring Zooey Deschanel as well as the lead role of ‘Casey Klein’ on the critically-acclaimed comedy “Party Down,” a show which earned an AFI Award in 2009 and was named one of Time Magazine’s Top 10 Shows of 2010.  Caplan also received raves for her performance as ‘Amy,’ the vegan with a habit for vampire blood, on Alan Ball’s award-winning HBO drama “True Blood” and further television credits include “The Class,” for which she was named one of “10 Actors to Watch” by the Daily Variety, “Related,” “Family Guy,” “American Dad,” “Tru Calling,” “Undeclared,” and Judd Apatow’s cult classic “Freaks and Geeks.”  Caplan resides in her native Los Angeles.

 

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CAITLIN FITZGERALD – “Libby”

 

Caitlin FitzGerald is emerging as one of Hollywood’s most engaging and talented young actresses.  FitzGerald is best known for her film roles in ITS COMPLICATED (starring opposite John Krasinski and Meryl Streep), TAKING WOODSTOCK and NEWLYWEDS from Tribeca Film. FitzGerald was last seen starring in Ed Burn’s film FITZGERALD FAMILY CHRISTMAS and Sony Pictures Classic’s film DAMSEL’S IN DISTRESS opposite Greta Gerwig, Adam Brody, and Analeigh Tipton.

 

FitzGerald will next be seen on the small screen as “Libby Masters,” the wife to Michael Sheen, in Showtime’s new drama series MASTERS OF SEX out this fall. MASTERS OF SEX is about the pioneers of the science of human sexuality whose research touched off of the sexual revolution.

 

Recently, FitzGerald finished filming the romantic drama MUTUAL FRIENDS which takes a closer look at the tension of relationships and connections of mutual friends in New York City.

 

FitzGerald’s additional television credits include: GOSSIP GIRL, HOW TO MAKE IT IN AMERICA, MERCY, and LAW & ORDER: SVU.

 

FitzGerald splits her time between New York and Los Angeles.

 

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TEDDY SEARS – “Dr. Austin Langham”

 

A talented actor dedicated to his craft, Teddy Sears has built a career across numerous hit television series with roles that consistently elevate his body of work in entertainment. 

 

Currently, Sears is in production on the Showtime drama series, Masters of Sex. Created by Michelle Ashford and directed by John Madden, the show is based on Thomas Maier’s biography, Masters of Sex: The Life and Times of William Masters and Virginia Johnson, and tells the story of the science of human sexuality and the pioneers whose research sparked the sexual revolution.  Sears stars as “Dr. Austin Langham” alongside a cast including Michael Sheen, Lizzy Caplan, Caitlin Fitzgerald and Nicholas D'Agosto.  The series was picked up for a first season of 12 episodes and is set to premiere on September 29, 2013. 

 

Over the course of his career, Sears has continued to build on his work appearing in a wide range of notable television series. Previous credits include TNT’s legal drama, Raising the Bar, when he starred as “Richard Patrick Woolsley IV,” the heir of a wealthy legal dynasty turned upstanding public defender. More recently, Sears was seen starring in the first season of FX’s acclaimed series, American Horror Story, where he played “Patrick” opposite Zachary Quinto’s character. 

 

Sears has guest starred in a number of notable television shows such as, AMC’s Mad Men; HBO’s Big Love; NBC’s long running crime drama Law & Order; and the award-winning comedy series, Ugly Betty. Beyond television, Sears starred alongside Colin Firth and Julianne Moore in the 2009 film A Single Man which garnered praise from both critics and audiences. 

 

Originally from Chevy Chase, Maryland, Sears graduated from the University of Virginia with a degree in Business Management.  Following college, Sears moved to New York where he began his acting career, studying under acclaimed coach, William Esper. 

 

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NICK D’AGOSTO – “Dr. Ethan Haas”

 

Nicholas D’Agosto is a compelling and critically acclaimed young actor whose credits span both television and feature film.

 

A native of Omaha, Nebraska, D’Agosto found acting through competitive speech tournaments and improvisation classes in grade school. While a senior at Creighton Preparatory School he landed his first professional role as ‘Larry Fouch’ in Alexander Payne’s Election. He spent his next four years at college, graduating cum laude from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with degrees in History and Theatre.

 

After college, D’Agosto landed a leading role in writer/director Jeffrey Blitz’s film Rocket Science, which premiered at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival and won the Dramatic Prize for Directing.

 

He has since starred in Will Gluck’s Fired Up in 2009; in 2011 in From Prada to Nada for director Angel Gracia opposite Camilla Belle and Alexa Vega; in the drama Dirty Girl for director Abe Sylvia opposite William H. Macy and Milla Jovovich and in Final Destination 5, the most recent installment of Warner Brothers’ popular horror franchise.

 

D’Agosto has also had success on the small screen.  He has completed production on season one of Masters of Sex, starring Michael Sheen and directed by John Madden, which will air on Showtime in the fall of 2013. D’Agosto starred in the second season of the hit NBC series Heroes, and has appeared on numerous television series including The Office, Six Feet Under, Cold Case, Without a Trace and House.

 

D’Agosto often returns to the theatre. Among many plays performed during his time in Milwaukee, D’Agosto had the great honor of helping originate, as well as dramaturge and perform, the play Chomsky 9/11 – based on Noam Chomsky’s post-9/11 writings – with the late avant-garde troupe, Theatre X. More recently, he has become an active member in the A2 Ensemble of LA’s classical theatre troupe, the Antaeus Company, and completed the role of ‘Tony Kirby’ in their fall 2012 production of You Can’t Take It With You to resoundingly positive reviews.  

 

Upon moving to Los Angeles, D’Agosto undertook three years of Meisner Technique study with Sandy’s long-time associate William Alderson. 

 

 

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BEAU BRIDGES – “Scully”

 

Beau Bridges is an award-winning actor who has portrayed a myriad of characters during his successful career spanning more than six decades. Part of a preeminent Hollywood acting dynasty, he started at a young age and has worked non-stop in his profession ever since.

 

Beau will next be seen on Fox Television’s comedy series “The Goodwin Games” which is scheduled for a May 2013 premiere. He is also soon to star in the Showtime television series, “Masters of Sex.” This drama, currently in post-production, focuses on the pioneers of the science of human sexuality whose research touched off the sexual revolution. This fall, Beau will also star in the CBS comedy “The Millers,” created by Greg Garcia. The sitcom centers on a recently divorced man, whose own parents decide to split up. Recently on Broadway, Beau starred in the musical comedy hit “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre.  Beau portrayed J. B. Biggley, returning to Broadway for the first time in 38 years since productions Where’s Daddy? (1966) and Who’s Who in Hell (1974).

 

In 2011 Beau starred in Alexander Payne’s Golden Globe winning and Academy Award nominated film, “The Descendants.”  Beau’s small but pivotal role as Cousin Hough captured audiences, his character relaying the film’s paramount twist to protagonist, Matt King played by George Clooney.  Beau also will soon be seen in the film “Rushlights,” a crime thriller with a twist of romance due for a late 2012 release.  

 

On the small screen, Beau has recently starred on USA Network’s “White Collar” as Agent Kramer, mentor to lead Peter Burke played by Tim DeKay. Beau also guest starred on ABC’s “Brother’s & Sisters” playing Sally Fields’ love interest, assuming the role of Nick Brody, reminiscent of his part as Sally Field's husband in "Norma Rae."  He was nominated for a 2011 Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for his portrayal of Nick. Beau has also had acclaimed guest starring turns on TNT’s hit series “The Closer” for which he received a 2010 Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series and on NBC’s hit comedy “My Name Is Earl” which garnered him a 2007 Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series.

 

Beau has explored the world of acting from a new perspective as a playwright with his daughter Emily, adapting Richard Boleslavsky's 1933 novel and publishing “Acting: The First Six Lessons” with Samuel French.  Prior to publishing the play, both Beau and Emily performed the play in spring 2010 at Theatre West in Los Angeles, receiving raves reviews.

 

Other projects Beau has completed include South Africa on “Free Willy: South Africa” starring with Bindi Irwin.  He was also seen on the big screen in the 20th Century Fox dramatic thriller “Max Payne” staring alongside Mark Wahlberg. Bridges played the role of B. B. Hensley, a former cop and mentor figure to Payne, who helps him track down a killer.

 

Additionally Bridges shared a 2009 Grammy Award win with Al Gore, Cynthia Nixon and Blair Underwood for “An Inconvenient Truth” which won the category of Best Spoken Word Album. In 2008 Brides lent his voice for a very special documentary entitled, “Operation Homecoming: Writing the Wartime Experience,” which received a 2008 Academy Award nomination for Best Documentary Feature. He wrapped production on two made-for-Television films in 2007: “Stargate: The Arc of Truth” and “Stargate: Continuum,” based on the popular Sci-fi drama “Stargate SG-1” in which he played General Hank Landry.

 

Bridges filmed several independent features including, “Don’t Fade Away” with Mischa Barton, “Americanizing Shelley” which premiered at the 2007 Nashville Film Festival and “Spinning into Butter” with Sarah Jessica Parker and Miranda Richardson which premiered at the 2007 Montreal World Film Festival. He also appeared in several feature films in 2006 including Warner Bros./Section Eight’s “The Good German” from director Steven Soderbergh, alongside Cate Blanchett and George Clooney, in which he plays a German officer in World War II and Paramount’s live action/animated remake of “Charlotte’s Web” from director Gary Winick.

 

Bridges also appeared in the Steven Spielberg-produced mini-series “Into The West” for TNT.  Filming for this six-part epic western took place in Calgary.  The film is directed by Robert Dornhelm and Simon Wincer and co-stars Josh Brolin, Keri Russell, Matthew Settle and Skeet Ulrich.  The series aired over six weeks in summer 2005 and was nominated for a Golden Globe award. 

 

Bridges earned a 2002 Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie for his role as Michael Mulvaney in the Lifetime original movie “We Were the Mulvaneys” which was based on the best-selling novel by Joyce Carol Oates.  Bridges also was nominated for Best Actor in a Miniseries or Movie in 2000 for his portrayal of Phineas Taylor Barnum, the legendary showman who transformed the circus from a one-ring juggling act to a three-ring spectacle in A&E’s original production “P.T. Barnum.”

 

In 1997, Bridges received his third Emmy Award for his portrayal of Governor Farley of Idaho in HBO's "The Second Civil War," a black comedy about race relations, rebellion, and the American dream runs amok.  James Coburn, Dan Hedaya, James Earl Jones, Elizabeth Pena and Denis Leary also starred in this film. 

 

In 1996, Bridges starred in a hard-hitting drama for Showtime, "Hidden in America."  He received lead actor nominations for both the Emmy Award and SAG Award for his portrayal of a family man who finds himself without a job and struggling to feed his children after his company downsizes and his wife's untimely death leaves the family penniless. 

 

Also in 1996, Bridges starred as Richard Nixon in TNT's "Kissinger & Nixon" for which he received an Emmy nomination as Best Actor in a Miniseries or Special.  He also starred with Kyra Sedgwick and Helen Mirren in Showtime's "Losing Chase," Kevin Bacon's directorial debut where he was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Motion Picture Made-For-Television. 

 

In 1993, Bridges won an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award for his supporting role opposite Holly Hunter in the HBO project "The Positively True Adventures of the Alleged Texas Cheerleader Murdering Mom."  He also starred in CBS' "The Man with Three Wives," the highest rated television movie of the season.

 

Bridges starred in the critically acclaimed HBO film "Without Warning: The James Brady Story," for which he won the Emmy and Golden Globe in 1991.  In the film, written by Academy Award winner Robert Bolt, he portrayed former White House Press Secretary James Brady, who was shot and paralyzed during an assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan. 

 

Beau was honored by the National Society of Film Critics named Best Supporting Actor for his role in "The Fabulous Baker Boys.”

 

He also starred with his father and son Dylan in "The Sand Kings," the debut episode of the Showtime series, "Outer Limits."  For his performance, Bridges received an Emmy nomination for Best Actor.

 

Bridges has also directed films, including "The Wild Pair,” and "Seven Hours to Judgment," in which he also starred.  In 1994, Bridges directed his father, Lloyd Bridges, and his son, Jordan Bridges, in a movie-of-the-week titled "Secret Sins of the Father." He also directed Jordan in "Thanksgiving Promise," the highest-rated Disney television film ever broadcast at that time.  His after-school Special "Don't Touch" was nominated for an Emmy.

 

Bridges resides in the Los Angeles area with his wife Wendy, four sons and one daughter.

 

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ALLISON JANNEY – “Margaret Scully”

 

The incredibly versatile Allison Janney has taken her place among a select group of actors who combine a leading lady’s profile with a character actor’s art of performance. Most recently she has been tapped to co-star, along with Anna Faris, in the new CBS/Chuck Lorre sitcom, “Mom.” She’ll also appear in a multi-episode arc on the new Showtime drama “Masters of Sex.” In addition Janney has been busy with a number of films, including the premiere of Lynn Shelton’s “Touchy Feely” at this year's Sundance Film Festival, the Untitled Christian Camargo project with William Hurt and Jean Reno, “The Way, Way Back” with Steve Carell and Toni Collette (which was acquired at Sundance for a record sum by Fox Searchlight), “Trust Me” for director/actor Clark Gregg, and Jason Bateman’s comedy “Bad Words.” She is lending her voice to the Dreamworks’ animated film “Mr. Peabody & Sherman” and earlier appeared in "The Oranges" with Catherine Keener, “Liberal Arts” with Josh Radnor and “Struck By Lightning” with Chris Colfer.   

 

Previously she co-starred in the much anticipated feature film "The Help" based on the best-selling novel of the same name. For their extraordinary performances, the cast won Ensemble awards from the Screen Actors Guild, National Board of Review and the Broadcast Film Critics. Additionally the film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture.

 

Janney has delighted audiences with outstanding performances in the Oscar-winning ensemble hit “Juno” and in the movie version of the Tony Award winning play “Hairspray.” For her role in Todd Solondz's film "Life During Wartime" she was nominated for Best Supporting Actress by the Spirit Awards.  She also appeared in Sam Mendes’ “Away We Go,” the comedy “Strangers with Candy,” and was heard as the voice of ‘Gladys’ in Dreamworks’ animated film “Over the Hedge” as well as “Peach” in “Finding Nemo.” 

 

Janney received another Spirit Award nomination for her work in the independent feature “Our Very Own,” and starred opposite Meryl Streep in “The Hours,” which received a SAG Award nomination for Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture.  Other feature credits include the Academy Award winning film “American Beauty” (for which she won a SAG Award for Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture) as well as “Nurse Betty,” “How to Deal,” “Drop Dead Gorgeous,” “10 Things I Hate About You,” “Primary Colors,” “The Ice Storm,” “Six Days Seven Nights,” “The Object of My Affection,” and “Big Night.”

 

Throughout her career Janney has made a handful of memorable guest-star appearances on television, but she is renowned for her starring role in the acclaimed NBC series "The West Wing," where she won a remarkable four Emmy Awards and four SAG Awards for her portrayal of White House Press Secretary CJ Cregg. 

 

While a freshman studying acting at Kenyon College in Ohio, Janney auditioned for Paul Newman and got the part.  Soon after, Newman and his wife Joanne Woodward suggested she study at the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York. She followed their advice and went on to make her Broadway debut in Noel Coward’s “Present Laughter” for which she earned the Outer Critics Circle Award and Clarence Derwent Award.  She also appeared in Arthur Miller’s "A View from the Bridge," receiving her first Tony Award nomination and winning the Outer Critics Circle Award. Janney was last seen on Broadway in the musical "9 to 5," for which she earned a Tony nomination and won the Drama Desk Award.

 

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JULIANNE NICHOLSON

Julianne Nicholson reteams with director John Wells for the upcoming, highly anticipated feature film “August: Osage County” based on the Pulitzer and Tony Award winning play of the same name.  Nicholson portrays Ivy Weston and joins the award winning ensemble cast that includes Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts and Sam Shepard.  The movie will be released by the Weinstein Company later this year.

Nicholson will also guest star in a multi episode arc on Showtime’s much buzzed about new series, “Masters of Sex.”  Additionally she’ll reprise her role as Esther Randolph in Season 4 of HBO’s award winning series “Boardwalk Empire.”

Nicholson’s best known work for the networks includes Dick Wolf’s “Conviction” and “Law and Order: Criminal Intent.” She first worked with John Wells on the medical drama “Presidio Med,” which he produced. Her other series commitments were Steven Spielberg’s paranormal drama “The Others” and David E. Kelly’s “Ally McBeal.”  She also recently guest starred on “The Good Wife.”

Independent film work has been a staple for Nicholson with leading roles in Hilary Birmingham's “Tully,” opposite James Franco in Jay Anania's “Shadows & Lies,” in Bill Condon's “Kinsey” and alongside Ethan Hawke in “Staten Island.”

Nicholson also draws fans in the international market working  with such acclaimed directors as Peter Chan in “The Love Letter,” Alain Berliner’s “Passion of Mind” and Nick Hurran in “Little Black Book.”

Her recent move to Los Angeles with her two children and actor husband, Brit Jonathan Cake, follows a very productive period on the New York stage.  Her stage work includes a role she originated in Sam Shepard’s latest play “Heartless” Melissa James Gibson’s new play “This” and Rattlestick’s production of Adam Rapp’s “Hallway” trilogy.

Nicholson was born and raised just outside of Boston in Medford, Massachusetts.  She then moved to New York where she attended Hunter College as a General Studies Major.  She began pursuing and studying acting after college. These days Nicholson divides her time between Los Angeles, New York and London; wherever the work takes her.

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