Cleo is a French fashion model who meets Beth Harmon at Benny Watts’ apartment, then at the Paris tournament in 1967, where she 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, 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.
Cleo is played by 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 |