Muse (web series)

Last updated

Muse
Genre
Created by Kayden Kross
Written byKayden Kross
Directed byKayden Kross
Starring
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes11
Production
EditorDuboko
Production companyDeeper
Original release
ReleaseSeptember 18, 2020 (2020-09-18) –
October 21, 2021 (2021-10-21)

Muse is a pornographic drama series written and directed by Kayden Kross, and produced by Deeper, and distributed by Pulse Distribution. It stars an ensemble cast that includes Maitland Ward, Adriana Chechik, Gianna Dior, Lena Paul, Scarlit Scandal and Manuel Ferrara. The series has received overall positive feedback from the industry, winning dozens of major industry accolades. [1] [2]

Contents

The first season was released on September 18, 2020, and the second on September 16, 2021. [3] [4] The first season received eleven nominations at the 38th AVN Awards, winning seven, including Grand Reel, Best Screenplay and Best Directing – Drama for Kross, Best Actress for Ward, and Best Editing for Duboko. [5] For her performance, Ward won two XBIZ, XRCO and XCritic Awards for Best Actress. [6]

Episodes

SeasonEpisodesOriginally released
First releasedLast released
1 5September 18, 2020 (2020-09-18)October 15, 2020 (2020-10-15)
Special November 12, 2020 (2020-11-12)
2 5September 16, 2021 (2021-09-16)October 21, 2021 (2021-10-21)

Season 1 (2020)

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byStarringOriginal release date
11"Episode 1" Kayden Kross Maitland Ward, Dante ColleSeptember 18, 2020 (2020-09-18)
Acclaimed author, documentary filmmaker, professor, and—Infamously—an activist formerly employed in the sex industry, Maitland Ward’s notoriety precedes her. An educator at heart, she is quick to direct the discussion forward, and to exact discipline wherever necessary.
22"Episode 2"Kayden KrossGianna Dior, Scarlit Scandal, Rob PiperSeptember 24, 2020 (2020-09-24)
Scarlit is torn between her obligations as a daughter and desire to follow her own path. When she decides to lean into the conflict she finds at the center, an idea strikes. Gianna and Rob help execute it. Lena grapples with the demands of her son. Adriana is inspired by a cord of rope found in Seth’s bedroom. Maitland examines the emotional payoff of libertinism.
33"Episode 3"Kayden KrossAdriana Chechik, Maitland Ward, Isiah Maxwell, Sly DigglerOctober 1, 2020 (2020-10-01)
Adriana’s relationship hits a breaking point, sending her running to the only doorstep she can think of in the city. Maitland answers. The two men just behind her wait patiently. Gabbie finishes her work in a rush of inspiration.
44"Episode 4"Kayden KrossLena Paul, Troy FranciscoOctober 8, 2020 (2020-10-08)
As the due date looms, each student takes another look at their approach to the project. Adriana must make a choice. Lena finds a way to make space for herself again. Maitland drives the lesson forward.
55"Episode 5"Kayden KrossAdriana Chechik, Seth GambleOctober 15, 2020 (2020-10-15)
Resigned to return to her hometown, Adriana relies on Seth’s help to get back. Seth begs her to finish their work before she goes. For everyone, the assignment comes due. Maitland clicks through, and in the process finally pairs a face with the struggle she’s felt.

Special (2020)

No.
overall		TitleDirected byStarringOriginal release date
6"Continuum"Kayden KrossMaitland Ward, Manuel Ferrara November 12, 2020 (2020-11-12)
Maitland brings the lesson around on her way to surrendering to the man she'd been holding out against.

Season 2 (2021)

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byStarringOriginal release date
71"What We Are Missing"Kayden KrossAubrey Kate, Destiny Cruz, Maitland Ward, Pierce ParisSeptember 16, 2021 (2021-09-16)
Maitland Ward's notoriety is both her blessing and her curse, drawing people to her with a sometimes-obsessive intensity and at the same time keeping her walled off from the relationships she values most. As she sends students home with a new assignment, we begin to understand that the prompt is more pressing than the usual exercises in classroom discussion.
82"Every Behavior Meets a Need"Kayden KrossIvy Wolfe, Manuel FerraraSeptember 23, 2021 (2021-09-23)
Aubrey finally finds a challenge worthy of her attention when Mona brings Ernest’s case to her desk. Lulu’s work/family balance worsens. We learn why Ivy hasn’t come home and why, but all focus is whiplashed toward Maitland when scandal breaks out.
93"What We Have Lost"Kayden KrossLulu Chu, Anton HardenOctober 7, 2021 (2021-10-07)
As Jessie leads the charge on the celebration of Lulu’s presentation, a damper mood settles over the group with the discussion of Maitland’s scandal, Lena’s quiet crisis, and Avery’s further unraveling relationship with Ivy. Behind closed doors, Manuel tries to calm Maitland down as she finally names her frustration with the pedestal she’s been placed on but the unspoken problem between them forces its way through again. By the end of the night, Lena finds connection in an unlikely place and Lulu is out for blood.
104"Another’s Good"Kayden KrossAvery Cristy, Vanna Bardot, Quinton JamesOctober 14, 2021 (2021-10-14)
Aubrey and Mona double down on their strategy to drag Maitland’s case through the jury of the press as Maitland spirals toward hopelessness and keeps Manuel at a distance. Avery and Ivy’s relationship troubles finally come to a head. Jessie plots revenge as Lena stumbles across a line she’d never thought she would cross
115"Break the Cycle"Kayden KrossMaitland Ward, Alex Jones, Danny Mountain, Rob Piper, Will PounderOctober 21, 2021 (2021-10-21)
Ernest’s obsession with Maitland has not waned, and Mona tries to intercept those attentions. Ivy’s departure leaves a void that Avery turns to Lulu to fill as Jessie exacts her revenge. Maitland finds herself across from a student who needs her but can’t bridge the gap in this new landscape. Maitland snaps as Avery channels pent-up emotion toward the stage. The final showdown begins.

Reception

Critical response

The series has received generally positive reviews from critics. An All Adult Network critic called the series an "exquisite piece of film making" and continued saying "...the shadings, looks, backgrounds, locales and pacing that Ms. Kross gives this piece really put this project over the top. Then add in some very crisp, sharp cinematography that provides masterful visuals and you have something very special. It has a number of well deserved nominations in the upcoming AVN awards and others and they are very well deserved." [7] Another adult film critic website Die-Screaming.com compliments director Kayden Kross writing "Kayden has firmly established herself as one of the most talented creative forces currently working in smut and the joints she’s churning out with her Deeper studio are consistently some of the most expertly crafted films of any hardcore studio anywhere in the world." [8] On the adult review aggregator AdultDVDTalk the film received extremely positive reviews, seeing a 4.6 out of 5 stars on sixteen reviews. In the sites featured review on the film the reviewer stated, "Needless to say, this flick is absolutely a must-see. Even those who aren''t typically inclined toward features will likely marvel at just how good it is. Indeed, there is little doubt that what Kross and Ward are doing as a team right now is several cuts above the competition and, quite frankly, may well be changing and reforming the broader adult landscape...both in terms of quality and public perception." [9] [ failed verification ]

Awards and nominations

YearCeremonyAwardRecipient(s)Result
2020XCritic AwardsBest Actress Maitland Ward Won
Best Director Kayden Kross Won
2021 AVN Awards [10] Best Three-Way Sex SceneGianna Dior, Rob Piper, Scarlit ScandalWon
Best Directing - DramaKayden KrossWon
Best Art Direction—Won
Best Editing—Won
Best Group Sex SceneAdriana Chechik, Isiah Maxwell, Maitland Ward, Sly DigglerNominated
Best Actress Maitland WardWon
Best Non-Sex PerformanceA.J.Nominated
Best Screenplay - Drama—Won
Best Soundtrack—Nominated
Grand Reel—Won
Best Supporting Actress Adriana CheckikNominated
XBIZ Awards Best Cinematography—Won
Best Acting - LeadMaitland WardWon
Feature Movie of the Year—Won
Best Acting - SupportingAdriana CheckikNominated
Best Sex Scene - Feature MovieGianna Dior, Rob Piper, Scarlit ScandalNominated
Best Screenplay—Nominated
Best Editing—Nominated
Best Sex Scene - Feature MovieAdriana Checkik, Isiah Maxwell, Maitland Ward, Sly DigglerWon
Best Music—Nominated

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References

  1. ↑ XBIZ. "Maitland Ward Makes Anal Debut in Deeper's 'Muse'". XBIZ. Archived from the original on June 5, 2021. Retrieved June 5, 2021.
  2. ↑ Ward, Maitland (September 19, 2020). "Maitland Ward: How We Made the First Big Porn Movie of the COVID Era". The Daily Beast. Archived from the original on May 31, 2021. Retrieved June 5, 2021.
  3. ↑ Warren, Peter (September 17, 2021). "Vixen Debuts High-Profile Deeper Sequel 'Muse Season 2'". AVN. Retrieved October 20, 2022.
  4. ↑ "The Women Behind That History-Making Porn Billboard in Hollywood". The Daily Beast. November 13, 2021. Retrieved October 20, 2022.
  5. ↑ King, Austin (February 23, 2021). "A Formidable 'Muse': Maitland Ward on Best Actress Triumph". Archived from the original on October 20, 2022. Retrieved October 20, 2022.
  6. ↑ Bartlett, Samantha. "Ex-Disney star Maitland Ward wins best actress at porn awards for second year running". Daily Star. Archived from the original on September 2, 2024. Retrieved October 20, 2022.
  7. ↑ "All Adult Network | Review – Muse Season 1 – Deeper.com". Archived from the original on June 5, 2021. Retrieved June 5, 2021.
  8. ↑ "Muse: Season 1 - Watch the XXX Trailer". Die-Screaming. October 1, 2020. Archived from the original on April 11, 2021. Retrieved June 5, 2021.
  9. ↑ XBIZ. "XBIZ - Adult Industry News | Adult Webmaster Resources". XBIZ. Retrieved June 5, 2021.
  10. ↑ Network, AVN Media. "AVN Awards". AVN Awards. Retrieved June 5, 2021.
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