Ryan Murphy‘s new FX series mixes beauty with body horror. The Beauty premiered on January 21, 2026, and introduces a world where a drug offers perfect looks but hides deadly secrets . The show features a major cast, including Ashton Kutcher as a villainous tech billionaire and Evan Peters as an FBI agent on the case . This guide breaks down the main actors and the characters they play in this scary new story about the cost of wanting to be beautiful.
The Beauty Premiere and Streaming Details
The first three episodes of The Beauty became available to watch on Wednesday, January 21, 2026. The show airs on the FX cable channel. For viewers who stream, new episodes are available on Hulu in the United States right after they air on FX . International audiences can watch the series on Disney+. The first season has 11 episodes. After the first three, new episodes will be released weekly every Wednesday . The season will finish with two episodes released on each of the last two weeks in March 2026 .
Evan Peters as FBI Agent Cooper Madsen
Evan Peters takes on the role of Cooper Madsen, an FBI agent. His character is assigned to investigate a violent and strange incident at a high-profile fashion show in Paris, which is the event that starts the main story . Peters is well-known for his many roles in Ryan Murphy’s projects, often playing dark and complicated characters like in American Horror Story and Dahmer . His role in The Beauty is a notable change.
“Evan Peters is finally playing the good guy,” notes The Hollywood Reporter about his character Agent Madsen .
In this series, Peters also works behind the scenes as an executive producer.
Rebecca Hall as FBI Agent Jordan Bennett
Rebecca Hall plays Jordan Bennett, the FBI partner to Evan Peters’ character . Her character is described as the steady, evidence-focused agent trying to manage an investigation that quickly grows into a global crisis . The relationship between Agents Madsen and Bennett extends beyond their professional lives, as they are also involved in a personal “situationship” . Hall is an accomplished actress known for films like The Town and Godzilla vs. Kong, and she also directed the movie Passing .
Ashton Kutcher as the Villainous Corporation
Ashton Kutcher plays the main villain, known as The Corporation (whose character is also named Byron Forst in some sources) . He is a tech billionaire who created and profits from the dangerous “Beauty” drug. This role marks Kutcher’s first time working with Ryan Murphy and his return to acting after a break of about three years . Kutcher’s real-life experience as a venture capitalist adds a layer of familiarity to his role as a ruthless tech mogul .
“Itโs an STD that people will actually want,” Kutcher’s character says in the show’s trailer, promoting the deadly product .
Anthony Ramos as the Assassin
Anthony Ramos plays a fearsome enforcer known only as The Assassin. This character, who wears an eye patch, works for Kutcher’s Corporation to protect the billion-dollar Beauty drug business by any means necessary . Ramos is a talented actor and singer famous for his roles in the Broadway musical Hamilton and the film In the Heights . On this show, he also serves as an executive producer .
Jeremy Pope as Jeremy
Jeremy Pope plays a character named Jeremy, an aimless and troubled man who gets caught up in the chaos caused by the Beauty drug . His role shows the personal cost of the epidemic from an ordinary person’s point of view. Pope has worked with Ryan Murphy before on series like Hollywood and Pose . For The Beauty, Pope is also listed as an executive producer .
Isabella Rossellini as Franny Forst
Isabella Rossellini appears in a recurring role as Franny Forst, the wife of Ashton Kutcher’s character . She is a morally complex character who must confront her husband’s destructive actions. This casting is a clever nod to Rossellini’s past, as she starred in the 1992 dark comedy Death Becomes Her, which also dealt with themes of vanity and everlasting youth .
Bella Hadid and Other Guest Stars
Supermodel Bella Hadid makes a high-impact guest appearance as Ruby, a model whose disastrous public breakdown during a Paris fashion show triggers the FBI’s investigation . For Hadid, this role is a step into acting. “This is a dream of mine,” she said about her part in the series . Other notable guest stars announced include Vincent DโOnofrio, though their specific roles are still under wraps as the season continues .
Also Read:
The Story Behind The Beauty Series
The Beauty is based on a comic book of the same name created by Jeremy Haun and Jason A. Hurley . Ryan Murphy, along with co-creator Matt Hodgson, adapted it for television. Murphy has described the show as a sharp look at today’s “Ozempic culture,” examining the extreme lengths people will go to change their bodies . The series blends elements of science fiction, horror, and dark comedy, set against the glamorous but cutthroat world of international fashion .
Also Read: Simon Williams Struggles With His Uncontrollable Powers in New Wonder Man Teaser
