Stanley James

**Stanley James** is a main character in Season 1 of Netflix's *Uncoupled (TV Series)* portrayed by Brooks Ashmanskas. He is another of Michael’s close friends, who’s sharp, clever, and a bit of a snob. Stanley is a very successful art dealer, but not as successful in the romance department.

## Physical appearance

*Add a description of what the character looks like, including how they usually dress, and any notable or unusual features such as scars or tattoos.*

## Character traits

A droll, pretentious art dealer who’s one of Michael’s oldest friends, Stanley is yet another middle-aged New Yorker exploring the competitive local dating scene.

## History

In Chapter 1, at Collin's surprise 50th birthday party, many of Michael’s friends are there, which includes: Billy Burns, Suzanne Prentiss, both of the Jonathans, and Stanley himself, who all congratulate Michael on the 17th year of his relationship with Colin. Unbeknownst to them, that Colin had just broken up with Michael a few seconds earlier. Later, at Stanley’s art gallery, Michael discusses the couples counselor’s appointment with his friends. They warn him that he must not let go of Colin and he will come back to him. At Michael’s age, men become “invisible” to other men. Then at Stanley's dinner party, Stanley seats Michael next to Claire Lewis, a wealthy art collector going through a divorce. His reasoning being that she might have a listing that Michael can get his hands on and earn a fat commission.

In Chapter 3, Stanley and Billy push him to get back on Grindr and meet new people. They feel this is the best way for him to get along with his life. He doesn’t want his next “sexual encounter” with an anonymous person and let it be. Anyway, a late-night “pick me up” message from Claire will keep him busy the next night. Michael wonders if the lonely life will get him but Stanley comforts him. People have started noticing Michael’s condition. Diane from the building tries to console him but Michael readily understands her “concern”. Michael thinks about the Grindr app and in the morning confirms his plans to Stanley to look out for a prospective partner. Later, Michael is proud of his worst venture out into the world of being single and a free bird. He lets his friends know. Billy is unfortunately out of town, so he can not meet up. Stanley however is just finishing up with a viewing and calls him to the gallery. As it turns out, the clients are acquaintances of Michael. They mention in conversation about Colin’s dinner party the last week to which Stanley also went. Michael is extremely upset with him for “betraying” him, despite Stanley’s attempts to explain to him that he went only to find out what happened. Michael is not ready to listen to him and leaves angrily.

In Chapter 4, Billy mentions to Michael that he is having an event and wants to invites Michael to. Michael asks if Stanley will be there but Billy replies that Stanley has a tradition every Friday evening to have a peaceful night at a bar, reading a book. Later, while Suzanne and Michael show Claire's home to a prospective couple, Stanley arrives up the lift with a new painting that Claire bought from him. Michael gives him the cold shoulder despite Staley trying to reconnect with him. Suzanne tries to cover for him but Stanley decides to confront him about it. Michael, as it stands is still unconvinced by Stanley’s reasoning that he went to Colin’s new place on Michael's behalf. After Dr. Sweeney gives Michael the cold, hard, truth, Michael goes to the bar where Stanley goes on Fridays. The two thus make up.

In Chapter 5, Michael discusses his previous experience with a younger guy who didn't want to wear a condom with Stanley and Billy over brunch the next day. The consensus is that Michael does not understand the new norms of relationships. Stanley then reveals that he has news to share. His mother’s new “cat”, Wilhelm Munsch, is a talented artist. He is about to exhibit his work at the gallery and apparently, local gay art collector Irwin Stossel will freak out when he sees it. Stossel is known to be an obsessive collector with great resources. So it is positive news for Stanley. After the healer’s convention, Michael is noticeably less angry at everything else and feels that he is over Colin. He even cries in front of Stanley for Colin, sympathizing with him. Which freaks Stanley out. Afterwards Stanley meets Michael's latest date by the name of Josh Gibson at Stanley’s Munsch exhibition, where Stossel berates Stanley in public and leaves. However, Billy saves the day for Stanley when he pretends to be interested on one of the paintings. Which in turn makes everyone not leave after all, and begin buying things from the exhibition.

In Chapter 6, at Billy’s skating event that night Stanley meets Jerry, a teleprompter from the station who keeps bugging Billy to hang out. Billy leaves Jerry to Stanley, who reluctantly strikes up a conversation. But as it turns out, Jerry is a huge fan of Stanley’s exhibition. He follows the art collector’s new picks and praises his insight into modern art. Later, Stanley goes out on a date with Jerry, where the two of them talk a lot about Billy, and his many imperfections. Jerry takes Stanley back to his place and his true reasons for wanting to date Stanley are revealed. Jerry explains how his mother is an amateur artist and he wants Stanley to sell her paintings. Jerry decides to give him “something” in return but Stanley is caught up in two minds. Allow Jerry to keep pleasuring him or tell him the truth and keep his integrity. Ultimately, despite his attempts to overlook the hideous paintings, Stanley tells Jerry the truth. The two have a bitter parting and Stanley leaves.

In Chapter 7, Michael, Billy, and Stanley go on their customary escape from city life. Not even two minutes into the trip, Billy already has the receptionist’s number and Stanley has the customary sigh of disgust and familiarity on his face. At the ski cabin, Stanley rents pink, ladies-style ski clothes, which he thinks are sensible compared to the thousands Billy and Michel spent on theirs. Later, Billy and Stanley try to calm Michael down saying he has Corey to look forward to and must focus on him. Unfortunately, after a very drunk Michael throws up in the tub, Stanley and Billy take Michael to his room. But while Stanley opens the door to his room, Billy drops Michael and he gets a bruise on his face.

In Chapter 8, Stanley looks upset, and his friends take his state for his usual lonely sad-guy vibes surfacing at the Jonathans' wedding. But they’re shocked when Stanley admits that he was diagnosed with first-stage breast cancer. He mentions how very few men are probable to be diagnosed with it and he is one of them. He asks Michael to accompany him to the doctor’s on Monday to learn how to proceed. Suzanne later comforts Stanley saying that she went through something similar and he will be okay. Eventually, Billy asks Stanley why he didn’t ask him to go to the doctor. Stanley says he didn’t figure Billy would want to come with and apologizes. On his way home, Stanley is still understandably worried about his cancer diagnosis and googles survival rates for males.

## Appearances

### Season 1 - 8/8

* Chapter 1
* Chapter 2
* Chapter 3
* Chapter 4
* Chapter 5
* Chapter 6
* Chapter 7
* Chapter 8