Revry TV’s new original series Strut slashes through taboos at every level, from its relatable, sex working ensemble to the female creative team, queer creator, and LGTBQ-heavy crew.
From award-winning creator NYWIFT Member Misha Calvert (writer, star), Strut explores the complexities of sex work from the female gaze. The series begins with Eddie, a geeky porn editor whose three best friends vow to save her from a life of lonely solitude. They conspire to bring her to a sex party, which kicks off a series of events inching them towards escorting. Season One tracks the friends as they debate the pros and cons of sex work, culminating in the launch of their business in the season finale. But when it comes time to visit their first client, the women realize they may be in over their heads.
Co-starring in the series are Margaret Judson (The Newsroom) as Eva, Eddie’s risk-taking roommate and best friend; Manini Gupta (You) as Lucy, an aspiring journalist discovering her lesbian identity; and Christina Toth (Orange is the New Black) as Chandaleer, a drug-addled trainwreck of a fashion model who frequently parties herself into trouble. There are guest appearances from Josh Bonzie (The Politician) as Eva’s finance boyfriend and Olesya Senchenko (Billions) as a captivating fellow escort.
Strut was first featured in the Tribeca Film Festival Creators Market and offers a fresh take on the oldest profession. “Hollywood has long used the archetype of the prostitute to heighten storytelling, be it as a seductress, a villain, seedy set decoration, or another dead body,” said creator Misha Calvert. “The reality of sex workers is so much more complex,” she notes, adding that the series is based on real women.
Michelle Cutolo, Director of Strut, goes on to add, “As a comedy, our show dismantles the shame and ostracization that comes with the territory of being a sexually explorative woman. This is a show about breaking apart patriarchy and giving women a new image.”
The series comes at a time when sex work is becoming more prevalent as a source of income, especially given the current unpredictable economic climate. With the wild success of platforms like Onlyfans and Seeking Arrangement, and the recent decriminalization of sex work in New York, it’s only a matter of time before the taboos around sexuality becomes obsolete.
About Revry TV
Revry was founded as a global LGBTQ digital and cable TV network with free live TV channels and on-demand movies, shows, music, news, and exclusive originals. Launched in 2015 by a diverse team, it brings together media, technology, and LGBTQ advocacy. Strut Executive Producers include Revry’s Damian Pelliccione P.G.A., LaShawn McGhee, Christopher Rodriguez, Esq., and Alia J Daniels, Esq.
“LGBTQ is a demographic; queer is a culture. At its core, Revry is about presenting queer culture as it is. We do this by selecting the most unique, the most original, and the most boundary-pushing movies, shows, podcasts, and music to show the world. We also give you a choice on how you want to experience our content. You can watch hours and hours for free through our Live Channels and commercial-supported On Demand library or subscribe for ad-free viewing. It’s available worldwide in all major app stores, OTT TV devices, and online.”
About NYWIFT Member Misha Calvert
Misha Calvert is an award-winning filmmaker and TV creator who travels between New York, LA, and London. She has created and sold two original series: STRUT (Revry TV) which she wrote and starred in, and ALL HAIL BETH (BRIC TV), which she wrote and directed.
She began her film career collaborating with writer/director Jonathan Levine (LONG SHOT, NINE PERFECT STRANGERS) on a short film called LOVE BYTES. Misha went on to make headlines as an experimental performance artist in New York, best known for her social satires THE MISTER AND MISS WILLIAMSBURG PAGEANT and the Bob Ross-themed art event BEAT THE DEVIL OUT OF IT, which raised money for Brooklyn art students. As an actor, she has appeared regularly on the Emmy Award-winning show A CRIME TO REMEMBER. Off-Broadway writer/director credits include three Chekhovian satires set in a 1980’s high school, and the original comedy A SEAGULL IS BORN.
Recent work includes writing and co-directing the original pilot ALPHA/BETA starring Leven Rambin (THE HUNGER GAMES, THE FOREVER PURGE). In 2021, she also rewrote and directed YES, MOTHER, a short dark comedy about two women fighting for the love of their cult leader, and wrote and starred in NEW BOO, a short film about a woman dating a stuffed animal. Misha was an official writer at the Cinestory 2021 Television Retreat and is developing her debut feature film RAGER for production in 2023.
More info at www.mishacalvert.com.
Katie Chambers
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