Glenn Close has acknowledged the negative reviews for Hulu's All's Fair, admitting that the first three episodes were the show's weakest and encouraging viewers to watch through the full season. The Ryan Murphy legal drama premiered on November 4, 2025, with critics calling it dull and clumsy. Close, in her first Murphy project, also praised co-star Kim Kardashian's professionalism amid the backlash.
Overview of All's Fair
Hulu's All's Fair, a legal drama created by Ryan Murphy, launched with three episodes on November 4, 2025, marking the streamer's biggest global scripted premiere in three years. Starring Glenn Close as a wily divorce attorney alongside Kim Kardashian, Naomi Watts, Niecy Nash-Betts, Sarah Paulson, and Teyana Taylor, the series has faced harsh criticism from reviewers who described it as "dull," "clumsy," and featuring a "wooden" performance from Kardashian. Despite the backlash, new episodes continue to stream weekly, culminating in a nine-episode finale on December 23, 2025.
Close's Response to Reviews
In interviews with Variety and TVLine on November 19, 2025, Close addressed the criticism directly. "I personally think that the first three episodes were the weakest," she said. "That was a tough way to start." Having viewed the entire season, Close urged skeptics to persist: "I've seen all nine episodes, and I think it actually adds up to something." This marks her debut in a Murphy production, which she found intimidating. "I'd never been in a Ryan movie or show. I didn't understand the tone for a while. I found it hard," Close admitted.
On November 6, 2025, Close shared a humorous Instagram post featuring a hand-drawn cartoon of the cast boiling "Critic-Bunny Stew," referencing her iconic role in the 1987 film Fatal Attraction. The post received positive reactions from co-stars like Naomi Watts and Teyana Taylor, with the official account calling it "a masterpiece."
Praises for Kim Kardashian
Close offered supportive words for Kardashian, who also executive produces alongside Kris Jenner. "What surprised me was Kim's seriousness of intent," Close noted. "She always knew her lines. She never was late. She always was prepared. She had no pretensions that she was a great actress, but she was smart enough to have people around her who she could learn from." Close attributed some criticism to the family's public image: "The Kardashians would say this themselves, but not everybody likes them. They have an image."
Kardashian responded lightheartedly on Instagram the same day, posting a carousel mixing negative reviews with fan praise under the sarcastic caption, "Have you tuned in to the most critically acclaimed show of the year?!"
Director's Perspective
Executive producer and director Anthony Hemingway, who helmed four episodes, dismissed the reviews in a November 5, 2025, interview with The Hollywood Reporter. "You're not going to please everybody," he said. "The show takes a minute to get into gear." Drawing from his work on HBO's The Wire, Hemingway emphasized that audience connection varies: "It may be out of your league... but I do feel like it is absolutely striking something that is refreshing and creatively fulfilling."