Cleo is a French fashion model who meets Beth Harmon for the first time during a party at Benny Watts’ apartment in New York, then at the Paris, during the Remi-Vallon tournament in 1967.
In that occasion the model tempts Beth into an alcoholic binge on the night before her vital game against Borgov. When Beth wakes up, she is in the bath, while Cleo is asleep in her bed; it is not clear whether or not they had a sexual encounter.
Some commentators have suggested that Cleo may have been employed by the Soviets to distract Beth before the vital game, also later on the soviets allow Townes to visit Moscow during the games to interfere with Beth's game - after Beth told Cleo (During her visit to Paris ) that she was in love with Townes, but this question is left unresolved. The character was specifically created for the Netflix series. The novel includes a character named Jenny Baynes, described as "beautiful and intelligent", who briefly visits Benny's apartment with Levertov and Wexler but has no significance to the plot.
It is suggested that Cleo had an intimate relationship with Benny in the past. It is also suggested that she is currently intimate with both Wexler and Arthur.
It is possibly hinted that the model had sexual attraction for Beth, as well as possibly sleeping with other models, commenting that "most are terrible in bed".
Cleo is played by the English actress Millie Brady.
Characters |
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Beth Harmon • Alma Wheatley • Benny Watts • Jolene • Harry Beltik • William Shaibel D.L. Townes • Allston Wheatley • Vasily Borgov • Alice Harmon • Helen Deardorff • Annette Packer • Borgov's wife • Cleo • Christopher • Dave Friedman • Mr. Ganz • Janet • Margaret Johnson • Paul |