Pose Season 3 has now finished airing. In bittersweet news for all Pose devotees, however, the third series was the show’s last (😢).
The amazing hit LGBT drama kicked off in the mid-1980s as New York’s drag ball culture took off and showed how many in the gay and trans community — so badly discriminated against back then — banded together to live in shared accommodations or 'Houses' under the leadership of a dominant 'Mother' figure.
We suppose all good things must come to a close, but it looks like executive producers Ryan Murphy/Brad Falchuk/Steve Canals gave us plenty to enjoy as we said goodbye to Blanca, Elektra, Angel, Pray Tell and the rest of the gang who got us so emotionally hooked in those groundbreaking first two seasons.
So here’s our guide to all things Pose season 3, including chats with the cast, episode recaps and reviews…
How did Pose season 2 end?
The up and down relationship between House mothers Blanca and Elektra continued and, after brief stints in the Houses of Evangelista and Ferocity, Elektra headed off to form the all-new 'House of Wintour'.
Blanca’s AIDS diagnosis (which we learned about in season 1) continues to have implications for her health and wellbeing while Pray Tell becomes more of a mentor to those in the community as well as being the flamboyant Emcee of the drag balls. And, although Pray Tell has big health issues too he’s now in a relationship with younger man Ricky...
So what happens in Pose season 3?
It’s 1994, and four years on from all that "Vogueing" à la Madonna that we saw in season 2. As the AIDS epidemic rages on, season 3 sees Blanca marshalling forces from within the LGBT community to protest and get a better deal for those living with AIDS. Looks like there are a few violent clashes on the cards. Blanca's also juggling motherhood, being a present partner and living out her role as a nurse's aide on an AIDS hospital ward.
Meanwhile, Pray Tell is struggling with his health and having trouble dealing with his AIDS diagnosis. Is he on the brink of a complete breakdown? There's the emergence of a vicious new upstart house which causes a few problems for those in the House of Evangelista. Also is it us, or from the trailer do they all look a little wealthier this time around..? They're in a much more plush New York apartment!
There’s also a look back at Pray Tell’s upbringing, as he returns home to tell his family he’s dying, as well as a flashback episode exploring the origins of House Abundance and Elektra's heart-wrenching estrangement from her mother.
Pose season 3 cast
Here are the main returning characters in Pose Season 3.
- MJ Rodriguez is Blanca Rodriguez-Evangelista
- Dominique Jackson is Elektra Abundance Wintour
- Billy Porter is Pray Tell
- Dyllon Burnside is Ricky Wintour
- Indya Moore is Angel Evangelista
- Ryan Jamall Swain is Damon Richards-Evangelista
- Sandra Bernhad is Judy Kubrak
- Hailie Sahar is Lulu Ferocity.
- Angel Bismark Curiel is Lil Papi Evangelista
What the cast have to say about the end of Pose season 3...
After Pose season 3 finished filming, MJ Rodriguez, who plays Blanca, said: "I couldn’t have asked for a better cast and crew to work alongside. The long hours, the emotional pull, and the early calls were all worth it in the end.
"This show has changed my life, And I wouldn’t have it any other way. So thank you Pose fam, we did it! We changed the world, and we showed them how to love a bit harder again!"
Dyllon Burnside, who plays Ricky Wintour, shared this before shooting his last scenes. "I just arrived for the final day of production. I don’t have the words to articulate all of my feelings right now… what I will say, though, is that I have learned SO MUCH about love, life, family, art, community, myself, this industry… idk. So many things… from this group of people. I’m grateful for y’all. You are all realness personified. Thank you for the ways you have enriched my life… I’m sure I will have more to say as the final season airs but until then… I’ve been blessed beyond measure to work on this show for the past 3 seasons. You’ve given me more than I could’ve ever imagined."
A preview clip (see below) has been released with the stars of the show.
Dominique Jackson says: 'Season 3 is about social justice, anti-discrimination, hope, and there is family of course. Elektra is now taking her money and helping those in her community who need it. In this season, my character is more giving, and more loving.'
Hailie Sahar adds: 'This season we're tackling drug addiction. Because people don't have family, because they don't know that they are loved, oftentimes they turn to something to numb that pain.'
MJ (Michaela Jae) Rodriguez says: 'This season is set in 1994 when AIDS was at its all-time high. Through these trials though, people have flourished and blossomed in ways people wouldn't imagine to think or see!
'Blanca has a whole arc this season and she's dealing with some hurt, some pain, and she's also dealing with love!'
The Pose Season 3 trailer
The trailer for Pose season 3 has Aretha Franklin's A Deeper Love as the soundtrack! We're all set for an amazing finale.
Pose Season 3 — episode reviews (**with spoilers**)
We've reviewed every episode of Pose season 3, so have a look at our take on the show below. Of course, if you haven't seen any of Season 3 yet look away if you don't want too any spoilers.
* Pose returns on a busy, yet encouraging note with "On the Run"...
Our episode 1 review Pose 3.01 Review: On the Run
* Despite the happy reunion in Pose's premiere, Blanca quickly discovers her family members are dealing with problems that winning a ball won't solve.
Our episode 2 review: Pose 3.02 Review: Intervention
* As Blanca's children literally struggle with Elektra's past in "The Trunk", the former mother of the House of Abundance looks back on her choices — and sacrifices.
Our episode 3 review: Pose 3.03 Review: The Trunk
* Pray Tell challenges the conventional wisdom that "you can't go home again".
Our review of Pose episode 4: Pose 3.04 Review: Take Me To Church
* Wish-fulfilment kicks into overdrive as Elektra agrees to finance Angel's dream wedding.
Our review of Pose episode 5: Pose 3.05 Review: Something Borrowed, Something Blue
* An impending wedding day gives their family — and the entire community — an opportunity to reflect on how far they've all come.
Our review of Pose episode 6: Pose 3.06 Review: Something Old, Something New
* The final-ever episode of Pose sees the lives of Blanca (MJ Rodriguez), Pray Tell (Billy Porter) and the children of Evangelista come to a celebratory and inspirational conclusion.
Our review of Pose episode 7: Pose series finale review
