Television mega-producer
Ryan Murphy's new series titled
"The Shards" is now in early development at FX. The show is based on
"American Psycho" author
Bret Easton Ellis' prep school thriller novel. It will star
Kaia Gerber (
"American Horror Story",
"Hacks") and will be directed by Murphy's frequent collaborator
Max Winkler (
"Monster" Season 3,
"American Love Story" pilot episode).
The novel was released in 2023, but was first unveiled as a serialized audiobook.
"The Shards" is a dark coming-of-age tale with semi-autobiographical facets for Ellis. Set in Los Angeles in 1981, the story follows a 17-year-old version of Ellis during his final year at the elite Buckley prep school. Upending the character’s world is the arrival of a mysterious new student, Robert Mallory, whose unsettling presence coincides with the activities of a serial killer known as The Trawler.
The series will be produced by 20th Television in association with Ryan Murphy Television. Murphy, Ellis and Winkler executive produce alongside
Nick Hall, Kathleen McCaffrey and
Brian Young.
Ellis previously tried to get a different incarnation of The Shards off the ground at HBO in 2023. He was attached as a writer to that version, which he was to executive produce alongside Hall, Young, and McCaffrey. Acclaimed filmmakers
Luca Guadagnino (
"Challengers") and
Kristoffer Borgli (
"Dream Scenario") were interested in directing the project, but nothing materialized.
Gerber can next be seen in
Jonah Hill's dark comedy
"Outcome", which stars Hill,
Keanu Reeves and
Cameron Diaz, and the second season of the Apple series
"Palm Royale"
