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Understudy

43 min | 2012

The show has landed a star, the mercurial Rebecca Duvall, but Eileen is thrown into a panic when Rebecca gets stuck in Cuba. Derek puts Karen in as understudy, but she must learn to perform under extreme pressure as he threatens to break her will.

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The show has landed a star, the mercurial Rebecca Duvall, but Eileen is thrown into a panic when Rebecca gets stuck in Cuba. Derek puts Karen in as understudy, but she must learn to perform under extreme pressure as he threatens to break her will.

Season 1

Episode 1

Pilot

The hit-making Broadway writing team of Julia Houston (Debra Messing) and Tom Levitt (Christian Borle) unites with producer Eileen Rand (Anjelica Huston) to create a new musical based on the life of Marilyn Monroe, and seasoned chorus girl Ivy Lynn (Megan Hilty) vies with newcomer Karen Cartwright (Katharine McPhee) for the dream role.

Episode 2

The Callback

Ivy (Megan Hilty) and Karen (Katharine McPhee) jump through hoops for the brilliant but temperamental director Derek Wills (Jack Davenport) as they pursue the role of a lifetime.

Episode 3

Enter Mr. DiMaggio

The search begins for a Joe DiMaggio to play opposite Marilyn - but everyone’s first choice, Michael (guest star Will Chase), has a secret.

Episode 4

The Cost of Art

Karen must learn to advance in the high-stakes world of Broadway, as Derek hosts a party for hot young star Lyle. Eileen tries a sly new strategy for raising funds, while Tom goes on a first date.

Episode 5

Let's Be Bad

Karen finds a new use for her acting talents as she joins Dev at a high-powered government party. The drama between Michael and Julia heats up, as Eileen and Tom’s ambitious assistant Ellis forge an alliance. Ivy senses trouble in her relationship with Derek.

Episode 6

Chemistry

Ivy faces major problems as her voice begins to fail her. Julia struggles to avoid Michael - but she can’t. Eileen explores her inner hipster at a downtown dive bar with her new pal Ellis, while Karen is an even bigger fish out of water, as she books a side gig at a bar mitzvah on Long Island.

Episode 7

The Workshop

Everything comes to a head as Eileen, Derek and the team present 'Marilyn The Musical' to would-be investors. Ivy is under pressure to perform, while her mother, Broadway star Leigh Conroy, undermines her at every turn. Karen must decide between the workshop and a meeting with a big-time music producer. Julia and Michael must face up to the consequences of their actions.

Episode 8

The Coup

Grace Gummer and Ryan Tedder of OneRepublic guest star.

Episode 9

Hell on Earth

The team begins their pursuit of a marquee star, as Eileen charges Tom and Julia with finding a title for the newly reinvigorated musical. Karen and Ivy find themselves in competition again -- this time for an orange juice commercial. Relationship troubles abound, as Frank makes an unwelcome discovery.

Episode 10

Understudy

The show has landed a star, the mercurial Rebecca Duvall, but Eileen is thrown into a panic when Rebecca gets stuck in Cuba. Derek puts Karen in as understudy, but she must learn to perform under extreme pressure as he threatens to break her will.

Episode 11

The Movie Star

"Bombshell" is turned upside-down by the arrival of movie star Rebecca Duvall (special guest star Uma Thurman).

Episode 12

Publicity

Karen (Katharine McPhee) finds herself seduced by the glamorous life of new BFF Rebecca Duvall (special guest star Uma Thurman) -- but can Rebecca be trusted?

Episode 13

Tech

"Bombshell" moves to Boston.

Episode 14

Previews

"Bombshell" faces its first audience just as a major crisis hits Rebecca Duvall (special guest star Uma Thurman). The team of Tom (Christian Borle) and Julia (Debra Messing) scramble to fix the show when the first preview falls short, and Frank (Brian D'Arcy James) must adjust to the unwelcome return of Michael Swift (Will Chase) to his life.

Episode 15

Bombshell

The big night is finally here. Tom (Christian Borle) and Julia (Debra Messing) race against time to save the show, while Derek (Jack Davenport) makes a decision that will change the lives of Karen (Katharine McPhee) and Ivy (Megan Hilty) forever.

Details

Actor
Debra Messing, Anjelica Huston, Katharine McPhee, Jack Davenport, Christian Borle, Megan Hilty, Raza Jaffrey, Jaime Cepero, Brian D'Arcy
Director
Adam Bernstein
Writer
Jerome Hairston