''Femme Fatales'' is an anthology television series, inspired by the

men's magazine This is a list of magazines primarily marketed to men. The list has been split into subcategories according to the target audience of the magazines. This list includes mostly mainstream magazines as well as Adult magazine, adult ones. Not include ...

of the same name, produced by and aired on

Cinemax Cinemax is an American pay television, cable, and satellite television network owned by the Home Box Office, Inc. subsidiary of Warner Bros. Discovery. Developed as a companion "maxi-pay" service complementing the offerings shown on parent ...

from 2011 to 2012. Each episode features an

antihero An antihero (sometimes spelled as anti-hero) or antiheroine is a main character in a story who may lack conventional heroic qualities and attributes, such as idealism, courage, and morality. Although antiheroes may sometimes perform actions ...

ic woman, intercut with

softcore pornographic Softcore pornography or softcore porn, is commercial still photography or film that has a pornographic or erotic component but is less sexually graphic and intrusive than hardcore pornography, defined by a lack of visual sexual penetration. Softc ...

scenes. Lilith (

Tanit Phoenix Tanit Phoenix (born 24 September 1980) is a South African fashion model, actress and makeup artist. She is known for her swimwear and lingerie photo shoots after appearing in a ''Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue'' in 2003 and in '' GQ'' magazine ...

) introduces each episode

Rod Serling Rodman Edward Serling (December 25, 1924 – June 28, 1975) was an American screenwriter, playwright, television producer, and narrator/on-screen host, best known for his live television dramas of the 1950s and his anthology television series ' ...

-style and occasionally appears within the narrative. Some characters make encore appearances in later episodes. Unlike most shows that feature

porn actor A pornographic film actor or actress, pornographic performer, adult entertainer, or porn star is a person who performs sex acts in video that is usually characterized as a pornographic movie. Such videos tend to be made in a number of dis ...

s, ''Femme Fatales'' features mainstream actors, such as

Richard Kind Richard Bruce Kind (born November 22, 1956) is an American actor and comedian, known for his roles as Dr. Mark Devanow in ''Mad About You'' (1992–1999, 2019), Paul Lassiter in ''Spin City'' (1996–2002), Andy in ''Curb Your Enthusiasm'' (2002 ...

Adam Goldberg Adam Charles Goldberg (born October 25, 1970) is an American character actor, filmmaker, musician, and photographer. Known for his supporting roles in film and television, Goldberg has appeared in films such as '' Dazed and Confused'', ''Saving ...

Paul Mazursky Irwin Lawrence "Paul" Mazursky (April 25, 1930 – June 30, 2014) was an American film director, screenwriter, and actor. Known for his dramatic comedies that often dealt with modern social issues, he was nominated for five Academy Awards: three t ...

, Ryan Bittle,

Robert LaSardo Robert LaSardo is an American character actor. Early life LaSardo was born in Brooklyn, New York. He began his career studying at the High School of Performing Arts in New York City where he became an honors student, before attending the St ...

, Stephen Macht,

William Gregory Lee William Gregory Lee (born January 24, 1973) is an American actor. Career His first prominent role was as Virgil on '' Xena: Warrior Princess''. He also played the character of Zack on the series '' Dark Angel'' (2000–2001). Lee has appeared i ...

Dean Haglund Dean Haglund (born July 29, 1965) is a Canadian actor, known for the role of Richard "Ringo" Langly, one of The Lone Gunmen on ''The X-Files''. Haglund is also a stand-up comedian, specializing in improvisational comedy, including work with the ...

Charlie O'Connell Charles O'Connell (born April 21, 1975) is an American actor and reality television personality. He is known for his appearance on '' The Bachelor'', as well as appearing in several projects involving his older brother Jerry O'Connell, including ...

Daniel Bess Daniel Luke Bess (born October 8, 1977) is an American television and film actor. Bess was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, United States, and attended both high school and a school of the arts while living on the island. He later acted in New York t ...

Angus Scrimm Angus Scrimm (born Lawrence Rory Guy; August 19, 1926 – January 9, 2016) was an American actor, author, and journalist, known for his portrayal of the Tall Man in the 1979 horror film '' Phantasm'' and its sequels. Early life Scrimm was born ...

Carrie Genzel Carrie Genzel (born 18 September 1971) is a Canadian actress and film producer.(9 August 2007)"'Flash Gordon' more than space filler" New York Daily News. Retrieved 30 September 2015.Cristina Kinon (15 April 2008)"'More than Flavor of the Month'" ...

Ellie Cornell Ellie Cornell (born December 15, 1963) is an American actress and producer. She made her film debut in the 1988 film ''Married to the Mob'' before becoming known for her roles as Rachel Carruthers Rachel Carruthers is a fictional character in ...

Neil Hopkins Neil Edward Hopkins (born May 13, 1977) is an American television and film actor. He is a trained actor and singer, best known for his portrayal of Charlie's heroin-addicted brother Liam on ''Lost''. Early life Hopkins was born in Trenton, New J ...

in season 1; and

Antonio Sabàto Jr. Antonio Sabàto Jr. (born February 29, 1972) is an Italian-born American model and actor. Sabàto first found fame in the 1990s as an underwear model for Calvin Klein and playing Jagger Cates on the soap opera ''General Hospital'' from 1992 to 19 ...

Kyle Gass Kyle Richard Gass (born July 14, 1960) is an American musician, comedian and actor best known for co-founding—and being a member of—Tenacious D, a Grammy-winning comedy band. He also co-founded the bands Trainwreck and the Kyle Gass Band, ...

, Leilani Sarelle,

Chris Mulkey Chris Mulkey (born May 3, 1948) is an American film and television actor. Career Mulkey played the supporting role of husband to Annie Potts's character in '' Any Day Now'' from 1998 to 2002. He has also appeared in '' Captain Phillips'', '' ...

Scheana Shay Scheana Marie Davies (, formerly Shay; born May 7, 1985) is an American television personality, actress and singer. Since 2013, she has been a cast member on the Bravo reality television series ''Vanderpump Rules''. Early life and education Sch ...

John Enos III John Enos III (born June 12, 1962) is an American film and television actor. He has guest starred on television programs '' Murder, She Wrote'', ''Sex and the City'', '' NYPD Blue'', and '' CSI: NY'', among other TV series. Enos's film credi ...

Vivica A. Fox Vivica Anjanetta Fox (born July 30, 1964) is an American actress, producer, and television host. Fox began her career on ''Soul Train'' (19821983). She eventually continued her career with roles on the daytime television soap operas ''Days of O ...

Sandra McCoy Sandra McCoy is an American former actress and dancer. McCoy is primarily known for being featured in the music video of NSYNC's 2001 single, " Pop" and as Vanessa in '' Porky's Pimpin' Pee Wee''. Early life and education McCoy was born and ra ...

Jeffrey Combs Jeffrey Alan Combs (born September 9, 1954) is an American actor. He is known for starring in horror films, such as ''Re-Animator'', and appearances playing a number of characters in the ''Star Trek'' and the DC animated universe television fr ...

Robert Picardo Robert Alphonse Picardo (born October 27, 1953) is an American actor. He is best known for playing the Cowboy in '' Innerspace'', Coach Cutlip on '' The Wonder Years'', Captain Dick Richard on the ABC series ''China Beach'', the Doctor on '' S ...

, Ashley Hamilton, Nikki Griffin,

Eric Roberts Eric Anthony Roberts (born April 18, 1956) is an American actor. His career began with a leading role in '' King of the Gypsies'' (1978) for which he received his first Golden Globe Award nomination. He was nominated again at the Golden Globes ...

, Kate Luyben,

Steve Railsback Stephen Railsback is an American theatre, film, and television actor. He is best known for his performances in the films ''The Stunt Man'' and Lifeforce (film), ''Lifeforce'', and his portrayal of Charles Manson in the 1976 television mini-series ...

Paul Rae Paul Rae (born June 27, 1968) is an American film and television actor. Biography Rae was born Paul Rae Stuart in New Orleans, Louisiana, the son of Jean Rushing and the late Norman Stuart, and was raised in Bogalusa, Washington Parish, Louisian ...

Jes Macallan Jes Macallan is an American actress. She is best known for her role as Josslyn Carver in ABC drama series ''Mistresses'' and Ava Sharpe in The CW superhero comedy-drama ''Legends of Tomorrow''. Career Jes Macallan is an actor and director. Bef ...

Casper Van Dien Casper Robert Van Dien Jr. (born December 18, 1968) is an American actor. He is best known for his lead role as Johnny Rico in the 1997 science-fiction action film ''Starship Troopers''. He has also appeared in a large number of television and ...

Jeff Fahey Jeffrey David Fahey (, born November 29, 1952) is an American film and television actor. He has portrayed Captain Frank Lapidus on the ABC series ''Lost'' and the title role of Deputy Marshal Winston MacBride on ''The Marshal''. Early life an ...

, and Betsy Rue in season 2.

Premise

Women find extraordinary ways of coping with their problems, channeling their survival instincts and bringing out their inner guile. The show is inspired by and styled in the tradition of pulp stories, film noir and graphic novels, and takes place in contemporary settings. Each episode is introduced by a mysterious and enigmatic host Lilith and features different casts and storylines, some of which are intertwined.

Cast

Main cast

as Lilith

Notable guest stars

* Ariauna Albright as Dream Woman * Ana Alexander as Camille Gardner * Sadie Alexandru as Janelle *

Crystal Allen Crystal Allen (born Orange County, 13 August 1972) is an American film and television actress. Biography Allen is from Alberta, Canada. She is an actress who has starred and appeared in guest star roles, including episodes of such TV series as ...

as Rhonda Temple *

Mark A. Altman Mark A. Altman is a writer, producer and actor. He is a former Los Angeles bureau chief for Cinefantastique magazine and was also a previous editor in chief of Sci-Fi Universe magazine. He has also been a writer for comic books. Credits Film ...

as the Voice of the Desk Clerk * Catherine Annette as Tiffany *

Domiziano Arcangeli Domiziano Arcangeli (June 10, 1966 – July 13, 2020) was an Italian actor, producer and writer best known for low-budget independent, and particularly exploitation, films.Daniel Reynolds"''Brides of Sodom'' Star Domiziano Arcangeli Brings Hom ...

as Chaka * Scott Bailey as Greg Cooper * Carlee Baker as Beth Odets *

Cameron Bender Cameron Frederick Bender (born November 20, 1974) is an American actor. Career Bender is known for playing the role of Chilton Chivers in ''Goodnight Burbank'' and Richard in ''Mistresses. He also appeared on the sitcom ''Rules of Engagement ...

as Tom Lomax *

as Logan Cale * Ryan Bittle as Archie Becker * Philip Boyd as Nick * Walker Brandt as Amy *

J.C. Brandy Justine Chelsea "J. C." Brandy (born 15 November 1975) is a British-born American actress. Early life Brandy is an actress, songwriter, director, and acting coach. She was born in London but grew up in New York City, where she attended Fiorel ...

as Maxine * Tiffany Brouwer as Holly Brown * David Bygrave as Boyfriend * Daniel Capellaro as Todd Voight * Tina Casciani as Barbara *

as the Voice of the Interrogator *

Rick Copp Rick Copp (born August 20, 1964) is an American television writer, story editor, producer and occasional actor. He was an executive story editor for 11 episodes and writer for two episodes of the short-lived 1991 NBC sitcom '' Flesh 'n' Blood' ...

as Richard Hollis / Teacher *

as Detective Janet Wright * Mark Costello as Detective Mitchum * Marc Crumpton as Foster Prentiss * Stephanie Danielson as Emily * Kristen DeLuca as Beverly Dietrich * Asher Deva as Ricardo * James Devoti as Cam * Andrew Dickler as R.J. *

as Joe Hallenbeck *

Danica Dillon Danica Dillon is an American retired pornographic actress who debuted in 2009 and then went on to appear in mainstream (non-adult) roles in cable television movies. Dillon is also a featured dancer at men's clubs and is a featured guest on radio ...

as Caroline / Virginia * Charles Divins as Dr. Troy * Christine Donlon as Violet MacReady * Sean Douglas as Pressman *

Daphnée Duplaix Daphnée Lynn Duplaix Samuel (born August 18, 1976) is an American actress and model. Career After appearing in ''Playboy'' magazine as Playmate of the Month July 1997, she appeared in several ''Playboy'' videos. Her Playmate pictorial was pho ...

as Alexis * Madison Dylan as Alexis * Kiko Ellsworth as Detective Carter Judson *

as Gil Flood *

as Detective McAllister * Tammy Felice as Kim * Gigi Feshold as Bebe * Chanon Finley as Lisa Bannion * Jon Fleming as Aaron *

Raymond Forchion Raymond Forchion is an American actor, writer, producer, and director who has appeared in film, television and stage. Aside from several pilots and TV movies, he has co-starred on such series as ''Burn Notice'', ''Numb3rs'', '' Star Trek: The Ne ...

as Judge Aldrich *

Bren Foster Bren Foster (born 2 November 1976) is an Australian actor and martial artist. He is best known for his role in '' The Last Ship'' on TNT. Foster holds black belts in taekwondo, hapkido, hwarangdo and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Career Foster has appe ...

as Howard *

as Dean Vera Rutledge *

as Willoughby Flagler *

as Dr. Marlowe * Diana Gettinger as Laurie * Paul Green as Marvin Widmark * Anne Lee Greene as Kendra Banks * Ian Gregory as Charles McKendrick * Nikki Griffin as Nicole Ryan *

as Kip * Ashley Hamilton as Devlin Grant * Steve Richard Harris as Lex * Jules Hartley as Molly Trevor *

Reggie Hayes Reginald C. Hayes (born July 15, 1969) is an American actor, screenwriter, and director. He is best known for his role as William Dent on the UPN/ CW show '' Girlfriends''. Early life Hayes was born on July 15, 1969 in Chicago, Illinoisyoungest ...

as Kevin Freeman *

Erin Marie Hogan Erin Marie Hogan (born September 22, 1985) is an American actress and activist from St. Louis, Missouri. Hogan is mostly seen in direct-to-video horror films and American cable television. She is a mental health advocate, who in 2015 announced th ...

as Emily *

as Charles Solomon * Stacy Stas Hurst as Jessica * Adam Huss as Max Bailey * Heidi James as Big Aggie * Preston Jones as Aaron * Tom Kirlin as Guard * Kerry Knuppe as Daphne *

Joe Kraemer Joseph Wayne Kraemer (born September 10, 1964) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played professionally from 1985 to 1994 and in Major League Baseball (MLB) in 1989 and 1990. Early life He attended both Portland State Univ ...

as Officer Taylor * Steve Kriozere as Doctor *

as Laz Swan *

as Jimmy *

Kimo Leopoldo Kimo Leopoldo (born January 4, 1968), or simply Kimo, is an American retired mixed martial artist and actor. He made his MMA debut at ''UFC 3'' in 1994 losing to Royce Gracie by submission. A professional from 1994 until 2011, he also competed in ...

as Bodyguard * Christian Levantino as Pete Greene *

Crystle Lightning Crystle Lea Lightning (born February 5, 1981) is a Canadian-American film actress, musician, DJ, and hip-hop MC. Early life Lightning holds dual citizenship with the United States and Canada. She is the daughter of director and actress Georgina ...

as Candela * Vedette Lim as Agent Pam * Scott Logan as Jake Rutledge * Sierra Love as Isabella Cregar * Kate Luyben as Mary Mason *

as Susan Voight * Stephen Macht as Leland Ryan * Jordan Madley as Rachel Worth * Janelle Marra as Gloria * Michael Masini as Chris Gunden * Brady Matthews as Chris Wade *

as Warden Jeffries *

as Professor Kelsey Williams * Geoff Meed as O'Brien * Cristin Michele as Cynthia *

Mirtha Michelle Mirtha Michelle Castro Marmol (born January 17, 1984) is a Dominican-born American actress. Career Michelle has appeared in ''Señorita Justice'', ''This Christmas (2007 film), This Christmas'', ''Fast & Furious (2009 film), Fast & Furious'' ...

as Lauren Coleston *

Anya Monzikova Anya Monzikova (russian: А́нна Геннадиевна Мо́нзикова; born August 25, 1984) is a Russian-American model and actress. Early life Monzikova was born in Vologda, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union. She lived in Russia up to the ...

as Darla McKendrick * Nikki Moore as Abigail Strauss *

as Bendix Darby * Isaiah Mustafa as Raven * Jo Newman as Jess Russell * Ashley Noel as Matilda West / Dark Matilda West *

as Jay Roma *

Ho-Sung Pak Ho-Sung Pak (born November 8, 1967) is a Korean-American film actor, stunt performer, martial artist, action choreographer, game character, writer, and producer. Life and career Pak, a Korean American, was born in Chicago, Illinois. He played ...

as Superstar Assassin (aka The Ghost) / Fight Trainer * Melissa Paulo as Erida * Moniqua Plante as Sara *

as Hieronymus Hawks * Will Poston as Rafe Daniels * Shani Pride as Tatiana *

Nick Principe Nicholas J Principe (born December 30, 1978) is an American actor and stuntman. He is best known for his role as ChromeSkull in ''Laid to Rest'' (2009) and its sequel, '' ChromeSkull: Laid to Rest 2'' (2011). Early life Principe was born in Wa ...

as Killer * Tara Radcliffe as Joanne Terranova *

as Guard *

as Dr. Daniel Duryea * Geoff Reeves as Steve Mason * Arloa Reston as Sharon * Makinna Ridgway as Angelica * Jennifer Roa as Norma Swanson *

as David Bannion * Tobi Rodriguez as Lucky Starr * Annie Ruby as Susan * Betsy Rue as Libra *

Joel Rush Joel Rush (born August 26, 1981) is an American actor and model, best known for his role as Edward 'Eddie' Willis in the Oprah Winfrey Network prime time soap opera, ''If Loving You Is Wrong''. Life and career Rush was born in Logansport, Indiana ...

as Pecs * Joe Sabatino as Iggy Bacardi *

as Bart * Leilani Sarelle as Veronica Flood * Bryan Sato as Kentaro * Donna W. Scott as Alicia Ryan *

as Dr. Chandler *

as Angel Tomlin * Justin Shilton as Robinson McGraw * Mark Simich as Davis Bennett * Aiden Simko as Chaz * Joe Slaughter as Roger Reynolds * Melissa Soso as Girl coming out of the elevator * Hollie Stenson as Abby * Robin Sydney as Lindsey * Colin Tary as Andy * Jennifer Thompson as Ace's New Girl * Diana Elizabeth Torres as Lydia Gonzales / El Jefe *

Elena Tovar Linda Elena Tovar is a Mexican-American actress. After leaving Mexico, Tovar moved to New York City and began appearing in off-Broadway shows, before working in television. Career Tovar is known for her recurring role as Rosalie Martinez on the ...

as Elena Machado * Tyson Turrou as Doug * Tiffany Tynes as Tina Hendricks *

Ilia Volok Ilia Volok (Russian: Илья Волох) ( Ukrainian: Ілля Волох) (November 22) is a Ukrainian actor. He has appeared in over 170 films, television shows, and video games. Career Volok has appeared in more than 90 films and television p ...

as Dimitri Uzi Olesky *

Jasmine Waltz Jasmine Waltz is an American model, actress, and reality television personality from Las Vegas, Nevada. Career Waltz began modeling while studying at the University of Performing Arts, and appeared in commercials and the televisions sitcom ''Rule ...

as Tara * Heidi Marie Wanser as Max's Girlfriend * Christopher Warner as Detective Brody * Drew Waters as Robert Burke * Charlie Weber as Ace * Kit Willesee as Lacey Rivers * Jason Wishnov as Man on Couch

Episodes

Season 1 (2011)

Season 2 (2012)

Home media

Entertainment One Entertainment One Ltd., trading as eOne, is an American-owned Canadian multinational entertainment company. Based in Toronto, Ontario, the company is primarily involved in the acquisition, distribution, and production of films and television se ...

released ''Femme Fatales: The Complete 1st Season'' in a 3-disc

DVD The DVD (common abbreviation for Digital Video Disc or Digital Versatile Disc) is a digital optical disc data storage format. It was invented and developed in 1995 and first released on November 1, 1996, in Japan. The medium can store any kind ...

set on January 29, 2013. The set's featurettes also included footage from Season 2, which in turn was released in a 3-disc DVD set on July 16, 2013.

Soundtrack

soundtrack album A soundtrack album is any album that incorporates music directly recorded from the soundtrack of a particular feature film or television show. The first such album to be commercially released was Walt Disney's ''Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs'' ...

for the series, with music composed and conducted by

, was released on May 29, 2012, by

MovieScore Media MovieScore Media is a Swedish record label devoted to original film scores, founded in 2005 by former film music journalist Mikael Carlsson. The label has produced over 500 soundtrack albums, focusing primarily on scores composed by up and coming ...

References

External links

* {{MAX After Dark 2011 American television series debuts 2012 American television series endings 2010s American mystery television series 2010s American anthology television series Cinemax original programming Television series by Warner Bros. Television Studios Erotic television series American thriller television series