Entitled Dirty Sexy Money, viewers were fully aware of what to expect from the ABC primetime soap opera: wealthy individuals with questionable behavior. Lawyer Nick George (Peter Krause) quickly learns about the unsavory antics of the Darling family after becoming their chief counsel, led by matriarch Letitia (Jill Clayburgh) and patriarch Tripp (the late Donald Sutherland).
“I couldn’t resist the opportunity to work with Donald Sutherland for a period of time. People were obsessed with that show,” Krause revealed in an interview with Remind back in March. “Comparing it to Succession, Dirty Sexy Money was essentially a similar show. … There were certain constraints being on ABC compared to HBO. It would have been enjoyable to explore Dirty Sexy Money without those limitations and to have the cast and creator Craig Wright truly bring his vision to life.”
The series came to an end 15 years ago when ABC aired the final episode of Dirty Sexy Money on August 8, 2009, ultimately canceling the show. However, the intriguing show facts below may entice you to either revisit or explore Dirty Sexy Money.
1. A Star-Studded Cast
Krause, known for his roles in Sports Night and Six Feet Under, joined the talented cast of Dirty Sexy Money. Sutherland had already built an esteemed six-decade acting career when he joined the show, while Clayburgh had received two Oscar nominations during her time in Hollywood.
The Darling children were portrayed by Backdraft star Billy Baldwin as politician Patrick, Justified star Natalie Zea as businesswoman Karen, Glenn Fitzgerald as priest Brian, Fringe star Seth Gabel as wayward son Jeremy, and The O.C. alum Samaire Armstrong as actress Juliet.
Additional supporting roles were played by NCIS: New Orleans’ Zoe McLellan as Lisa George, L.A. Law’s Blair Underwood as billionaire Simon Elder, and Elementary’s Lucy Liu as attorney Nola Lyons starting in Season 2.
2. Talented Future TV Creators in the Writers’ Room
After successfully bringing Dirty Sexy Money to the small screen, creator Craig Wright went on to develop Greenleaf. The show’s writing staff featured future TV creators such as Diane Ruggiero-Wright (iZombie), Liz Tigelaar (Little Fires Everywhere), Joey Soloway (Transparent), and Sallie Patrick (Dynasty). Additionally, seasoned TV producers Peter Horton and Greg Berlanti served as executive producers for Dirty Sexy Money.
3. A Guest-Star Roster of Renowned Names
Guest appearances on Dirty Sexy Money included established stars like Rena Sofer, John Schneider, Sheryl Lee, Robert Pine, and Donna Mills. Young talents such as Chloë Grace Moretz, Elle Fanning, Sofía Vergara, Gina Torres, and Bellamy Young also made appearances on the show before gaining recognition in other projects. Notably, Moretz and Fanning alternated the role of Kiki George, Nick’s daughter.
4. ABC’s Creative Marketing Strategies
Before the show premiered, ABC leveraged Paris Hilton’s legal troubles by placing a “We Love Paris” ad, endorsed by “The Darling Family,” in the New York Post, as reported by Reuters. They even arranged for a plane to carry a banner with the same message above the detention facility where Hilton had turned herself in, as shared by TV Guide.
5. Innovative Marketing on PerezHilton.com
In a bid for viral marketing, ABC planted fake news stories on gossip blog PerezHilton.com, creating tabloid-style posts to generate interest in the show.
One post stated: “Billionaire drama queen causing a scene. It seems Juliet Darling’s only talent lies in her interactions with the media. When asked about her lackluster reviews for her stage debut, she responded with a cutting remark. ‘Well, you’re poor!’ Despite having ample dirty sexy money, talent and class cannot be purchased.”
Another post read: “Family lawyer Nick George making a positive impact with Darling funds. Supported by a generous grant from the Darling Family Foundation, Nick George was seen celebrating after launching a non-profit organization dedicated to children’s welfare. Is this establishment the first of its kind? Or could it be a cover-up for something less than Darling?”
6. Lady Gaga’s Contribution to Promotion
Before her global stardom, Lady Gaga’s song “Beautiful, Dirty, Rich” from her debut album was used by ABC to promote Dirty Sexy Money. One of the song’s music videos intercut scenes of Gaga with snippets from the show.
7. Pioneering Representation by Candis Cayne
In a groundbreaking role, Candis Cayne portrayed Carmelita, the mistress of Patrick, becoming the first transgender actor in a recurring primetime TV role, as highlighted by Out Magazine. Notably, Carmelita’s character was also transgender.
8. Billy Baldwin’s Plea to Save the Show
After ABC decided not to order additional episodes for Season 2 of Dirty Sexy Money, Billy Baldwin encouraged fans to voice their support for the show. In a message to supporters, Baldwin urged viewers to demand ABC to continue airing the show and expressed his desire to continue sharing the Darlings’ escapades with the audience for many more seasons, as reported by the Boston Herald.
While Dirty Sexy Money may have concluded after Season 2, fans can still enjoy the show on DVD or digitally.
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