Another quarter, another Ryan Murphy show.
This time, he teams up with Psycho writer Bret Easton Ellis to bring the writer’s semi-autobiographical book The Shards to the small screen.
It is a flashy production with sexy actors and the FX mark of quality, which will be the airing home for the series before episodes pop up on Hulu in the US and Disney+ internationally.
Starring in the series is Igby Rigney (Bret Ellis), who you may have seen in The Fall of the House of Usher, alongside Kaia Garber (Susan Reynolds), Graham Campbell (Thom Wright), Hayes Warner (Debbie Schaffer), and Homer Gere (Robert Mallory).
Evan Rachel Wood (Liz Schaffer), Wes Bentley (Terry Schaffer), and Jordan Roth (Steven Reidnhart) also star.
The series is a nostalgia trip to the 80s, when most people who were alive then can claim was the best time to be alive.
There were good movies, music, and clothes.
But in The Shards, those things don’t look as alluring when you’re a teenager, and there is a serial killer targeting teenagers.
It would be such a tragedy if any of the main characters died because they are the top of the world: young, sexy, in Los Angeles, and rich. Death by serial killer should be reserved for poor people.
So, What Is ‘The Shards’ About?
Photo: Courtesy of FXIt’s in the 1980s, and Bret Ellis — the main character — is preparing for senior year with his friends. They’re gonna crush it and have interesting, high-paying careers.
In an odd turn of events, a new student joins their class. Who changes schools during senior year?
Bret is quite observant and thinks some things don’t add up about this new tall drink of water, Robert.
Setting aside his confusing attraction to the new student, Bret thinks Robert is a liar.
When teenagers start dropping like flies, Bret starts to think Robert’s arrival is not mere coincidence. There must be something going on here; Bret is the only one paying enough attention to notice.
But there is also a twist.
Well, How Gay Is It Then?
Photo: Rick Mickshaw/FXThis being Ryan Murphy, you can expect some gay stuff throughout the series.
For one, the main character might be gay. He has intense attraction to Robert, but also has a girlfriend. Some people don’t have everything figured out, least of all in the 80s. Bret might be bisexual too.
A sneak peek of the series through the trailer shows him making out with some guy, meaning he is comfortable enough to explore. I don’t think anyone can stand another closeted story.
Depending on where Robert lies on the spectrum, something could be brewing between them. If it happens, shippers who crave height difference might not survive this, given that Bret is a short king and Robert is quite tall.
But he could also be a killer, so let’s not forget that.
Typical of Ryan Murphy productions, especially one which he writes and directs, the gay gaze is inevitable.
The tight 80s-style denim craze that gives body tea, the dialogue, and filming technique that appreciates the male form will almost certainly be present.
And if the production team pops off, there will be more than one gay pairing, so shippers will be spoilt for choice.
There will be a lot of 80s music — and some original music from Troye Sivan and Leland.
FX’s “The Shards” premieres with two episodes on Wednesday, August 5 at 9:00 pm ET / 6:00 pm PT on FX/Hulu.
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