FX’s anthology series, American Crime Story, received critical acclaim for its first season, The People V. O.J. Simpson, which recreated the infamous murder trial of the former footballer. Showrunner Ryan Murphy quickly announced plans for a further three seasons (at least), with season 2 set to focus on the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Production of the show has been delayed due to issues with the source material, but the second season will now air in early 2018, with season three set to arrive just six months later.
Following on from the success of his other anthology series, American Horror Story, Murphy is once again using cast members across the seasons, with Sarah Paulson already set for seasons two and four, but new actors are also being brought onboard. Annette Bening is set to play the governor of Louisiana for American Crime Story season two, and now two names have been announced as the leads for season three.
The third season of American Crime will focus on the death of Versace, and the events surrounding his murder, and TV Line are reporting the casting of its two main leads for the season; Edgar Ramirez and Darren Criss. Ramirez will play the fashion designer Gianni Versace, who was killed on the steps of his Miami Beach mansion in 1997. Meanwhile, Criss will play his killer, Andrew Cunanan, who claimed Versace as his fifth and final victim. Cunanan killed himself eight days after Versace’s murder, as the police closed in on him. The season will be based on the book “Vulgar Favors” by Maureen Orth.
Ramirez is a Venezuelan actor, best known for his critically acclaimed role in Carlos. He has also recently appeared in The Girl on the Train and Point Break. American Crime Story will be his first major television role. Meanwhile, Criss is well known for working with Murphy, having shot to fame as Blaine Anderson on Glee. He followed this with an appearance on American Horror Story: Hotel. After a stint on Broadway and on tour playing the lead role in Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Criss has most recently filmed for the Supergirl/ The Flash musical crossover episode, where he will play the part of The Music Meister.
The death of Versace rocked the world, but as with the O.J. Simpson case, there’s a lot to be explored and certainly a public appetite to know more. Cunanan was a Filipino American, living in San Francisco, where he would frequent high-class bars to sell sex to men. He also dabbled in drug dealing and petty theft. His motives for all of his murders are still unknown and widely speculated upon, though there is talk that he wished to become a ‘gay icon’ and was jealous of Versace’s popularity.
The roles of both men will certainly be a departure from the norm for both Ramirez and Criss, who start filming next month. Given the acclamation of American Crime Story season one, their work on season three could launch both onto even bigger and better things. Though this third season will likely be completed before season 2 has finished filming, it will still air after the Katrina focused season two. Season four of American Crime Story, as it were, will focus on the Clinton/ Monica Lewinsky scandal.
American Crime Story returns to FX in 2018.
Source: TV Line
