Directed by:
Laurie CollyerScreenplay:
Stephen KronishCinematography:
Chris ManleyComposer:
David CarbonaraCast:
Kelli Garner, Susan Sarandon, Emily Watson, Eva Amurri Martino, Embeth Davidtz, Jack Noseworthy, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Sarah Booth, Andrew Kraulis (more)Plots(1)
Kelli Garner plays the legendary star Marilyn Monroe in the miniseries, which uncovers many closely-guarded secrets. Susan Sarandon also stars as Marilyn's biggest secret of all, her mother Gladys, long institutionalized for mental illness. "The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe" begins with a portrait of a young Norma Jeane Mortenson as she battles a lonely and loveless existence with an absent mother. Despite the odds, Norma Jeane blossoms into a funny, smart and ambitious woman and soon reinvents herself to become the symbol of an era. She revels in stardom, yet remains a fragile artist, desperate for the approval and protection of men. The outside world never truly sees or understands the real Marilyn, a woman so different from her public persona. As her fame grows, all three of her marriages crumble beneath her quite publicly, including her relationships with Joe DiMaggio and Arthur Miller. Ultimately, Marilyn could never control her inner demons and the onslaught of mental illness inherited from her mother, Gladys - a woman she loves, hates and wants desperately to save. Although her movie studio told the world that Marilyn's mother was dead, it is the great secret of Marilyn's life that Gladys remained a vital and troubling part of her world. As Marilyn cares for her mother, her obsession with President John F. Kennedy drives her over the edge and, ultimately, into an insane asylum. Still, as Marilyn Monroe soldiers on, she gives the performance of her life, successfully hiding her darkest secrets from the world. (HBO Europe)
(more)Cast
![Kelli Garner](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/161/443/161443602_db3a68.jpg)
Kelli Garner
USA
Best movies:
The Aviator (2004)
Lars and the Real Girl (2007)
Love Liza (2002)
![Susan Sarandon](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/162/414/162414864_1fa666.jpg)
Susan Sarandon
USA
Best movies:
Thelma & Louise (1991)
The Front Page (1974)
Dead Man Walking (1995)
![Emily Watson](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/163/527/163527514_533b47.jpg)
Emily Watson
UK
Best movies:
Chernobyl (2019) (series)
Corpse Bride (2005)
Breaking the Waves (1996)
![Eva Amurri Martino](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/277/277764_55064c.jpg)
Eva Amurri Martino
USA
Best movies:
Dead Man Walking (1995)
Bob Roberts (1992)
The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe (2015) (TV movie)
![Embeth Davidtz](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/162/414/162414803_37fb7f.png)
Embeth Davidtz
USA
Best movies:
Schindler's List (1993)
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011)
Shackleton (2002) (TV movie)
![Jack Noseworthy](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/279/279297_0b98f4.jpg)
Jack Noseworthy
USA
![Jeffrey Dean Morgan](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/166/656/166656177_269f33.jpg)
Jeffrey Dean Morgan
USA
Best movies:
The Boys (2019) (series)
Watchmen (2009)
P.S. I Love You (2007)
Sarah Booth
Canada
Best movies:
The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe (2015) (TV movie)
Last Call (2019)
Deadfall (2012)
![Andrew Kraulis](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/426/426652_2be9aa.jpg)
Andrew Kraulis
Best movies:
The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe (2015) (TV movie)
The Crossing (2000) (TV movie)
The Skulls (2000)
![Morgan Kelly](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/278/278930_ae5816.jpg)
Morgan Kelly
Canada
Best movies:
A History of Violence (2005)
The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe (2015) (TV movie)
The Lookout (2007)
Austin Macdonald
Canada
Best movies:
The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio (2005)
The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe (2015) (TV movie)
Céline (2008) (TV movie)
![Stephen Bogaert](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/164/838/164838907_042a84.jpg)
Stephen Bogaert
Best movies:
The Company (2007) (series)
It (2017)
X-Men: Apocalypse (2016)
![Giacomo Gianniotti](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/162/282/162282871_c72f55.png)
Giacomo Gianniotti
Italy
Best movies:
Race (2016)
The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe (2015) (TV movie)
Acquainted (2018)
![Matthew Bennett](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/160/853/160853607_f2f6d8.jpg)
Matthew Bennett
Canada
Best movies:
Battlestar Galactica (2003) (TV movie)
Battlestar Galactica: Razor (2007) (TV movie)
Battlestar Galactica: The Plan (2009)
Darryl Flatman
Best movies:
Terry (2005) (TV movie)
The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe (2015) (TV movie)
The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day (2009)
Diana Bentley
Canada
Best movies:
The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe (2015) (TV movie)
We're Still Together (2016)
Skating to New York (2013)
Paul Miller
Best movies:
The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe (2015) (TV movie)
The Good Witch's Garden (2009) (TV movie)
The Chippendales Murder (2000) (TV movie)
![Mia Allan](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/163/059/163059129_7b0695.jpg)
Mia Allan
Best movies:
The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe (2015) (TV movie)
A Loud House Christmas (2021) (TV movie)
![Ella Allan](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/163/267/163267708_900fe2.jpg)
Ella Allan
Best movies:
The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe (2015) (TV movie)
A Loud House Christmas (2021) (TV movie)
Vickie Papavs
Canada
Best movies:
The Boys (2019) (series)
Resurrection (1999)
Cypher (2002)