Angelyne was the quintessential star of Los Angeles in the 80s: singer, actress, style icon, and model in a series of iconic billboards that showed up all over LA starting in 1984, Angelyne was the prototype of ‘famous for being famous’ that went on to take over celebrity discourse well into the modern-day. She’s been the subject of several documentaries, includingAngelyne: Billboard Queen,a feature-length documentary in which she talks about her life in her own words. Now her story is being told for a new audience, framed as a series of present-day interviews and told largely through flashbacks. Based on a Hollywood Reporter article that revealed intimate details about Angelyne’s life and identity for the first time,Angelyne is the bombshell new miniseries from Peacockthat premiers on July 30, 2025.
Angelynewas created by producer, writer, and artistNancy Oliver. Oliver is best known for producing southern-gothic vampire dramaTrue Bloodand writing for critically acclaimed quirky romantic comedyLars and the Real Girl.
Related:Angelyne: Release Date, Cast, Trailer, and Everything You Need to Know
Emmy Rossum as Angelyne
Emmy Rossumstars as the titular icon, resplendent in her bottle-blonde bouffant, signature pink Camaro, and unshakeable ambition. The story begins at the flashpoint of her fame, at the commission and creation of the first billboard, one advertising neither art nor product but Angelyne herself. Rossom’s Angelyne carries herself with shameless self-assurance and sharp intelligence (and Barbie-pink style) reminiscent of Elle Woods inLegally Blonde, but unlike Elle, there’s not a hint of naïveté in her. Bold, in-your-face sex appeal and commanding attention is the heart of Angelyne’s marketing strategy. While ‘sex sells’ was hardly a new concept in 1984, Angelyne turns the “sexy blonde model” concept on its head by taking control of her own image and using it to her advantage. Nothing illustrates this better than the billboard itself, in which the model stares directly at the viewer from behind dark sunglasses: thus theobjectbecomes asubject,no longer simply an image but a person.
Emmy Rossum’s best-known previous role is that of Christine in the film adaptation ofThe Phantom of the Opera, a role that couldn’t be more different from the ever-forthright Angelyne. More recent work includes starring in the TV seriesShamelessas Fiona Gallagher, the eldest daughter of a working-class family in Chicago. Coming upRossum will be starring alongsideTom HollandandAmanda Seyfriedin the first season of the anthology seriesThe Crowded Roomfor Apple TV+.
Alex Karpovsky as Jeff Glasner
Alex Karpovskyco-stars as Jeff Glasner, fictional counterpart toGary Baum, the real-life Hollywood Report journalist who uncovered Angelyne’s true identity in 2017. While he doesn’t appear in the two trailers for Angelyne, he will likely be the audience stand-in for the series. He also stands to be a controversial figure: Angelyne was always fiercely protective of her privacy and did not approve Baum’s publishing her past.Angelyne: Billboard Queen, Angelyne’s autobiographical series, is still in production, seemingly in response to Baum’s exposè. Baum is serving as a consultant on the production, so Karpovsky has his source of inspiration close at hand to draw from.
Karpovsky’s other work includes music comedyFolk Hero & Funny Guyand the chillingRubberneck, which Karpovsky directed as well as starred in, but he’s best known for his work on HBO drama seriesGirls. Karpovsky had previously worked with the series' executive producerSam Esmailon the popular Amazon Prime Video seriesHomecomingwhere he starred alongside Hollywood heavyweights likeJulia RobertsandSissy Spacek.
Hamish Linklater as Rick Krauss
Hamish Linklaterplays Rick Krauss, president of Angelyne’s fan club - and sole member, at first. His faith in Angelyne’s star power is undeniable, however, and even years later in his interview scene, Rick’s affection for her is plain and powerful to see.
Linklater also appears in theStarz limited seriesGaslit,a historical drama centered on the Watergate scandal. Previous credits include Netflix’s horror seriesMidnight Massand Amazon’s original dramaTell Me Your Secrets.
Lukas Gage as Max Allen
Lukas Gageplays Max Allen, guitar player in the punk band in which Angelyne sings. The two seem to have a volatile relationship and have parted on bad terms - in their interview scenes years later, Angelyne and Max tell very different versions of the story of their time together.
Gage’s other work includes the award-winning HBO Max seriesThe White Lotus, a drama/comedy about the guests & staff of a tropical resort; andAmerican Vandal, a Netflix true-crime satire set in an American high school. Gage will also have a role inPeacock’s forthcoming reboot ofQueer As Folk.
Charlie Rowe as Freddy Messina
Charlie Roweis the man behind the legend as Freddy Messina, Angelyne’s photographer. He’s also one of Angelyne’s first supporters, who dreams of their work together still being talked about 100 years in the future.
Rowe also appears in Elton John biopicRocketman, Amazon Prime Video miniseriesVanity Fair, and the highly regardedRed Band Society, about gravely ill teenagers finding solidarity in their hospital’s pediatric ward.
Related:‘Angelyne’ Trailer Reveals Emmy Rossum’s “Glow in the Dark Queen of the Universe”
Martin Freeman
Although his role is unnamed,Martin Freemanplays a pivotal role as the marketing executive who finances the Angelyne billboards. He’s dubious at first as Angelyne explains her vision, but the two of them soon come to a meeting of like-minded individuals: both understand the power of the image.
Freeman is best known for the titular role inThe Hobbittrilogy, but his long list of credits also includes the groundbreaking Marvel titleBlack Panther, the wildly popular BBC dramaSherlock, and the critically acclaimed crime dramaFargo. Freeman currently stars in the FX dark comedy seriesBreeders, which is currently in its third season. He is also set to reprise his MCU role as Everett K. Ross inthe highly anticipated sequelBlack Panther: Wakanda Foreverand the Disney+ limited seriesSecret Invasion.
