FX’s ‘Pose’ Announces it Will End With Third Season

The groundbreaking LGBTQIA+ FX drama Pose will end after it returns for its seven-episode, third and final season premiering on May 2.

In a message on Good Morning America, the series’ writer, director, co-creator, and executive producer, Steven Canals, confirmed the decision to end the landmark series after telling “the story that we wanted to tell, the way that we wanted to tell it.”

When the series premiered in 2018, Pose made history when the show cast more transgender actors in regular series roles than any other television show in history. This achievement included Mj Rodriguez as Blanca Rodriguez-Evangelista, Dominique Jackson as Elektra Wintour, Indya Moore as Angel Evangelista, Hailie Sahar as Lulu Ferocity, Angelica Ross as Candy Johnson-Ferocity. 

Hey Pose fam! We made the decision to end @PoseOnFX after 3 seasons because we reached the intended ending of our story. This experience has been life changing. THANK YOU is too small a word. And yet, it’s what is in my heart. Hope to see you in May 2nd when we debut. #PoseFX pic.twitter.com/P9fMZfrS06

— Steven Canals (@StevenCanals) March 5, 2021

“we got to tell the exact story we wanted, as we wanted to tell it, and I’m incredibly honored and grateful.“—@MrRPMurphy. #posefx returns for its final season may 2, only on fx. pic.twitter.com/S5uV3fXcRY

— FX Networks (@FXNetworks) March 5, 2021

The groundbreaking series has provided comfort for many in the LGBTQIA+ community as the cast’s inclusivity has broken numerous barriers. The focus on the African-American and Latino communities showcases an unshown side to the communities in the 1980s and 1990s.

Set in the 1980s and 1990s, Pose centers around New York’s underground ballroom culture and the role Black and Latinx members of the LGBtQ+ community had on shaping pop culture at the end of the 20th century. The show also features the impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic on these communities.

A message from executive producer and co-creator @StevenCanals on the third and final season of #PoseFX, premiering May 2. pic.twitter.com/f3mfyK3SEQ

— PoseFX (@PoseOnFX) March 5, 2021

Meanwhile, the show’s executive producer, writer, and director Janet Mock made entertainment history as the first trans woman of color to write and direct a television episode. 

In a statement to Deadline, Pose writer, director, co-creator, and executive producer, Ryan Murphy, called the show a “passion project” and “one of the creative highlights of [his] entire career.” 

November 2017. My first day on the set of POSE. Didn’t know then that my life would be forever enriched.

I am so grateful for the 25 episodes we made together, as a family.

The final 7 episodes, marking the beginning of the end of POSE, starts Sunday May 2 on FX. 😢💔🏆 pic.twitter.com/Y74ikNCkVi

— Janet Mock (@janetmock) March 5, 2021

“Pose‘s story may end in 1996, but its impact will go on forever,” Murphy said. 

Additionally, Brad Falchuk (also a writer, co-creator, and executive producer for the show) said that he is “grateful” to be a part of the series.

What a blessing it is children can grow up seeing themselves in fullness because of #PoseFX. The intimacies laid bare, a reality of building community, of living despite the plunder.

How beautiful it was to feel myself in those characters and their stories.

— Stephon (@Stephon_JB) March 5, 2021

I’m over here crying because I just found out #PoseFX newest season will be it’s last 😭. Representation matters and the legacy of this show will forever be felt

— J. Torres M.Ed Candidate (@EJeremyTorres) March 5, 2021

“I am more proud of this show than anything else I have created – or ever will create,” Falchuk said.

Pose is also executively produced by Nina Jacobson, Brad Simpson, Alexis Martin Woodall, and Sherry Marsh. The show also stars Billy Porter (as Pray Tell), Ryan Jamaal Swain (as Damon Richards-Evangelista), Charlene Woodard (as Helena St. Rogers), Angel Bismark Curiel ( as Esteban Martinez- Evangelista), Dyllón Burnside (as Ricky Wintour), and Sandra Bernhard, (as Judy Kubrak). 

Saying goodbye to POSE is one of the hardest things I gotta do…😢

The third & final season airs Sunday May 2 on FX. We made it for y’all. #poseFX pic.twitter.com/5EB49F6zjl

— Angel Bismark Curiel (@angelbcuriel) March 5, 2021

Even though Pose will air its final episode on June 6, the series ultimately changed the television landscape with its inclusivity, diversity, and representation.  Pose returns May 2 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on FX for their bittersweet final season.