Based on a Nora Robers novel, the latest Netflix-produced film portrays Alyssa Milano as Grace Miller, a mystery writer trying to catch a serial killer that murdered her sister.
And on top of the shock about her sister’s death, Grace also learns about her sister’s double life as a webcam performer. And even though she is warned by the investigator (Sam Page) on the case, she still gets involved.
The official synopsis of Brazen:
“After a demanding book tour, superstar mystery novelist Grace McCabe (Alyssa Milano) decides to visit her sister, Kathleen, who’s embroiled in a custody battle after a bitter divorce. Arriving in D.C., Grace is shocked to find Kathleen living in a run-down neighbourhood and, hoping to afford a hotshot lawyer, supplementing her meagre teacher’s salary by moonlighting as a phone sex operator. According to Kathleen, Fantasy, Inc., guarantees its employees’ ironclad anonymity. But Grace has her doubts—which are confirmed one horrifying cherry-blossom-scented night when one of Fantasy, Inc.’s operators is murdered.
As Grace is drawn to help solve the crime, her life turns into a scene from one of her own books. Yet as one of her biggest fans, investigator Ed Jackson, warns her: This isn’t fiction. Real people die—and Grace could be next. For she’s setting a trap for a killer more twisted than anything she could imagine. And not even Ed may be able to protect her from a rendezvous with lust and death.”
Alyssa Milano received some criticism for the role
When Alyssa first got cast in the role, fans of Nora Roberts’ work made quite a scene. It seemed that Alyssa’s activism did not align with the romance novel readers’ belief.
And it even got to a point where Nora Roberts had to address the online outrage:
“I’m delighted Ms Milano’s been cast in the adaptation of ‘Brazen Virtue’ for Netflix,” the writer said in a statement.
“To say I was stunned and appalled by some of the comments regarding the announcement on my Facebook page is a wild understatement. I spoke my piece, posted it publicly, and stand by it and Ms Milano. To those who state they’ll never read my work again due to differing political viewpoints and opinions, or because a talented, experienced actor will play a role, I can only say that’s their choice. I believe Ms Milano and I will survive it.
“Some will never read me again because Milano will headline this adaption,” she continued. “One reader stated she intended to burn all my books in her collection for this choice of actress. Think about that. Burning books. Get a visual? I sure do. Another claims she can only support ‘like-minded’ artists. Really? I only imagine the books, songs, movies I’d have missed if I felt this way and refused to read, watch, listen to those who contributed to or performed them who hold different political viewpoints from my own.”
Catch Brazen on Netflix on January 13.
