Main Cast and Character Roles
The principal cast of Being the Ricardos features Nicole Kidman as Lucille Ball and Javier Bardem as Desi Arnaz. Kidman portrays the iconic comedian across the filming of the 1953 episode of I Love Lucy that sparked controversy over her alleged Communist ties. Bardem plays the Cuban-born bandleader and producer who co-created the show with Ball Forbes.
Supporting Cast Members
J.K. Simmons stars as William Frawley, the actor who played Fred Mertz, while Tony Hale portrays Desi Arnaz Sr., the show's executive producer. The ensemble also includes Alia Shawkat as Madelyn Pugh and Jake Lacy as Ball's husband Desi Arnaz Jr. IMDb
Production Companies and Release Details
Being the Ricardos was produced by Amazon Studios and Escape Artists. The film premiered at the AFI Fest in November 2021 and was released theatrically by Sony Pictures Releasing before streaming on Amazon Prime Video. The production budget was reported at approximately 100 million dollars Sony Pictures.
Filming Locations and Timeline
Principal photography took place in Atlanta, Georgia, and Los Angeles, California, over a schedule of several weeks in early 2021. The cinematography was handled by Drew Daniels, and the screenplay was written by Aaron Sorkin Screen Daily
Critical Reception and Awards Recognition
The film received mixed reviews from critics, with praise directed at Nicole Kidman's performance and Javier Bardem's portrayal of Desi Arnaz. It holds a 69 percent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on over 200 critic reviews. The movie was nominated for multiple awards, including a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for Kidman Rotten Tomatoes.
Box Office and Streaming Performance
Being the Ricardos grossed approximately 11 million dollars in global theaters. On Amazon Prime Video, it became one of the most-watched titles in the weeks following its streaming debut. The film's digital and physical release expanded its audience reach significantly Box Office Mojo