Friendship, deceit, high-society New York. And in the middle of them all: a celebrated writer, who was also the ultimate insider − Truman Capote.

A new anthology series, "Feud: Capote vs. The Swans," based on Capote and his relationship with a group of rich, glamorous women he surrounded himself with and nicknamed "the swans," is dropping on FX Wednesday night.

The eight-episode limited series is based on the bestselling book "Capote's Women: A True Story of Love, Betrayal, and a Swan Song for an Era" by Laurence Leamer. It sees Capote become "ingratiated" into the women's lives, "befriending them and becoming their confidante, only to ultimately betray them by writing a thinly veiled fictionalization of their lives, exposing their most intimate secrets," according to FX.

USA TODAY TV critic Kelly Lawler gave the Ryan Murphy-produced series ★½ out of four, saying that "a less than compelling story is only one of the problems" with it. Lawler said that the series is a "middling follow-up to 2017's first 'Feud,' about the beef between movie stars Bette Davis and Joan Crawford."

"The first installment of the anthology series had color, effervescence and bite; but the new season takes the black-and-white theme to the extreme," wrote Lawler in her review. "Deathly dull, slow and tedious, 'Swans' can't even be saved by the star power of its cast, which includes Naomi Watts, Demi Moore, Diane Lane and Calista Flockhart. Its title promises a clash of majestic beasts, but it ends up as a squabble of headless chickens."

Here's what to know about "Feud: Capote vs. The Swans," including how to watch the premiere.

'Capote vs The Swans' review:FX's new season of 'Feud' is deathly cold-blooded

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How to watch 'Feud: Capote vs. The Swans' premiere

The series is set to premiere on FX with two episodes on Wednesday, Jan. 31 at 10 p.m. EST. Viewers can stream it on Hulu the next day.

'Feud': Stream the series on Hulu

'Feud: Capote vs. The Swans' cast

Tom Hollander stars as Truman Capote in the series. The "swans" are played by Naomi Watts (who also serves as an executive producer on the installment), Diane Lane, Chloë Sevigny, and Calista Flockhart.

The series also stars Demi Moore, Molly Ringwald, Treat Williams, Joe Mantello and Russell Tovey.

The 'Swans':Who plays Truman Capote and his 'Swans' in new FX series?

'Feud: Capote vs. The Swans' episode schedule

• Episode 1: "Pilot" - Jan. 31
• Episode 2: "Ice Water in Their Veins" - Jan. 31
• Episode 3: "Masquerade 1966" - Feb. 7
• Episode 4: "It's Impossible" - Feb. 14
• Episode 5: "The Secret Inner Lives of Swans" - Feb. 21
• Episode 6: "Hats, Gloves and Effete Homosexuals" - Feb. 28
• Episode 7: "Beautiful Babe" - March 6
• Episode 8: Phantasm Forgiveness" - March 13

'Feud: Capote vs. The Swans' trailer

FX released the latest trailer for the series on Jan. 18.

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