FX Releases First Image of Ryan Murphy’s The Shards, Premiering August 5
Ryan Murphy has been busy. Now, FX has dropped a first-look image for The Shards and confirmed an August 5 premiere date on FX and Hulu.
The series is based on Bret Easton Ellis‘ prep school thriller novel and hails from 20th Television and Ryan Murphy Productions. UK viewers can catch it on Disney+, which is handling the international rollout.
The Shards
The Shards is a dark coming-of-age tale with semi-autobiographical elements 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 his world is the arrival of a mysterious new student, Robert Mallory, whose presence coincides with the activities of a serial killer known as The Trawler.
The cast includes Igby Rigney (The Shards) as young Bret, Homer Gere as Robert Mallory, Kaia Gerber as Susan Reynolds, Hayes Warner as Debbie Schaffer, Graham Campbell as Thom Wright, Wes Bentley as Terry Schaffer, Evan Rachel Wood as Liz Schaffer, and Jordan Roth as Steven Reinhardt. Gere is, yes, the son of Richard Gere, in case you were wondering.
The premiere caps a winding road for The Shards. Ellis initially developed it at HBO in 2024, where it stalled before Murphy and FX rescued it in May 2025, with a series order following two months later. Ellis first published the novel in print in 2023 after releasing it as a serialized audiobook on his podcast.
Alas, no trailer yet — just the one moody image of the cast looking attractive and vaguely imperiled. FX is teasing the ten-part series as a story of suspense, seduction, and obsession, which is either an accurate description of every Ryan Murphy project or just a very good PR line. Probably both.
For more horror casting news, check out Naomi Ackie joining the cast of They Follow and the latest on American Horror Story Season 13 while you wait.
We’ll keep you posted on updates about The Shards as the project develops.
Chloe Jones is a film and television critic dedicated to providing expert analysis of movies, web series, and the latest in prestige TV. Known for her insightful perspective and deep industry knowledge, Chloe helps audiences navigate the crowded streaming landscape with honesty and expertise. Folow me on letterboxd
