Ryan Murphy’s new sci-fi horror series, The Beauty, will premiere on January 21, 2026, with its first three episodes launching at once. The 11-episode season will then release weekly on Wednesdays, concluding on March 4, 2026. The show will be available on FX for cable viewers and Hulu for streaming audiences in the United States. For viewers in the United Kingdom, the series will begin on Disney+ on January 22, 2026, with new episodes following weekly on Thursdays.
The series is an adaptation of the comic book by Jeremy Haun and Jason A. Hurley. It explores a dark scenario where a sexually transmitted drug called “the Beauty” spreads, granting users perfect looks while hiding deadly side effects. As people start dying, FBI agents Cooper Madsen (Evan Peters) and Jordan Bennett (Rebecca Hall) are called to investigate, leading them to a mysterious tech billionaire known only as The Corporation (Ashton Kutcher).
Complete Episode Release Schedule and Dates
The first season of The Beauty consists of 11 episodes in total. The release strategy features an initial three-episode drop, followed by a weekly schedule that accelerates for the season’s end. New episodes will be available at 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time on their respective release dates.
Here is the complete release calendar for the United States and Canada:
- Wednesday, January 21, 2026: Episodes 1, 2, 3 (Season Premiere)
- Wednesday, January 28, 2026: Episode 4
- Wednesday, February 4, 2026: Episode 5
- Wednesday, February 11, 2026: Episode 6
- Wednesday, February 18, 2026: Episode 7
- Wednesday, February 25, 2026: Episodes 8 and 9
- Wednesday, March 4, 2026: Episodes 10 and 11 (Season Finale)
The production has confirmed the titles for the first four episodes. The premiere block includes “Beautiful Pilot,” “Beautiful Jordan,” and “Beautiful Christopher Cross.” The fourth episode, releasing on January 28, is titled “Beautiful Chimp Face”.
For international audiences, the schedule differs slightly. In the United Kingdom and other global markets, The Beauty will stream on Disney+. The series will launch there on Thursday, January 22, 2026, with the first three episodes. Subsequent episodes will then be released weekly on Thursdays, also concluding with two-episode releases for the final two weeks.
Where to Watch The Beauty in Your Region
Your viewing method depends on your location. In the United States, the show will air on the FX cable channel and be available for streaming the same day on Hulu. Viewers can watch FX through traditional cable, satellite providers like DirecTV, or live TV streaming services such as Sling TV or FuboTV.
The official Disney+ website states the series will be available on “Hulu on Disney+” for bundle subscribers in the U.S.. This means if you subscribe to the Disney Bundle that includes Hulu, you will likely find The Beauty within the Disney+ app or interface.
For viewers outside the United States, Disney+ will be the exclusive streaming home for the series. The UK release date is set for January 22, 2026. Audiences in Canada, Australia, and other international regions should check their local Disney+ platforms for the confirmed premiere date, which is expected to be similar.
Story and Main Cast Details
The story begins in the world of high fashion, where supermodels are dying in shocking ways. FBI agents Cooper Madsen and Jordan Bennett find their investigation leads to a virus that physically perfects people but kills them. Their search brings them against Ashton Kutcher’s character, a shadowy figure called The Corporation, who created the “Beauty” drug to build a trillion-dollar empire. He employs a dangerous enforcer known as The Assassin, played by Anthony Ramos. Another key figure is Jeremy (Jeremy Pope), an outsider trying to find his place as the crisis grows.
Ryan Murphy described the series as a sci-fi medical show about a new virus that “turns you into your absolute perfect self.” He said it asks, “how far would you go to be beautiful?” and framed it as his take on modern “Ozempic culture”.
The cast includes several notable guest stars. Isabella Rossellini appears in a recurring role as Franny Forst. The list of guest actors also includes Bella Hadid, Vincent D’Onofrio, Ben Platt, Billy Eichner, Meghan Trainor, and Peter Gallagher. The involvement of models like Hadid and Hamlin reinforces the show’s setting in the fashion industry.
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Behind the Scenes and Production Facts
The Beauty is based on the Image Comics series created by Jeremy Haun and Jason A. Hurley. Ryan Murphy and Matt Hodgson serve as the series creators, writers, and executive producers. Main cast members Evan Peters, Anthony Ramos, and Jeremy Pope are also credited as executive producers.
Filming started in New York City in December 2024. Production also occurred in locations like Pearl River, New York, in early 2025. While the story spans global cities like Paris, Venice, and Rome, much of the initial filming took place in and around New York. The score is composed by Mac Quayle, a frequent collaborator with Ryan Murphy.
The series is produced by Ryan Murphy Productions and 20th Television. The show’s first public trailer was released in early January 2026.
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