FX Orders ‘American Horror Story’ Companion Anthology Series ‘American Crime Story’

First installment will be the 10-episode “American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson,” directed by Ryan Murphy

Ryan Murphy
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FX has ordered a companion series to its hit anthological series “American Horror Story,” entitled “American Crime Story.”

The first 10-episode installment of the new anthology series will follow the O.J. Simpson trial and be subtitled “The People v. O.J. Simpson.” It is based on the Jeffrey Toobin book, “The Run of His Life: The People v. O.J. Simpson.”

Subsequent seasons will focus on a different true crime story that captured headlines — and the public’s attention.

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“American Crime Story” will be directed by Ryan Murphy (“American Horror Story,” “Glee”), who will also executive produce along with Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson (“The Hunger Games”), Brad Falchuk (“Glee,” “American Horror Story,” co-created with Murphy) and Dante Di Loreto.

The first two hours of the miniseries will be written by Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski, who will also earn exec producer credits.

Production begins early next year in Los Angeles. It is produced by FXP and Fox 21, the companies that co-produce “Sons of Anarchy.”

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“Time and time again, Ryan Murphy has transformed the medium of television by redefining genres and formats as he did with ‘Nip/Tuck,’ ‘Glee’ and the ‘American Horror Story’ franchise, and we expect the same of ‘American Crime Story,” said FX Network President John Landgraf. “Scott and Larry have adapted Jeffrey Toobin’s book into a masterful 10-hour piece. I have no doubt that Ryan and his partners, Nina Jacobson, Brad Simpson, Brad Falchuk, and Dante Di Loreto are going to make something very memorable here — and that it will be a spectacular first entry in what is destined to become a series of great true crime-based miniseries.”

“This is an exciting project for me,” commented Murphy, “as I’ve been looking for the right property which could serve as an extension of the ‘American Horror Story’ brand I love so much. The O.J. case was as tragic as it was fascinating — it seemed like everyone had a stake in the outcome. It was really the beginning of the modern tabloid age.”

“When Ryan has passion for a project, our entire company is energized by his enthusiasm and spectacular talent,” said Fox Television Group Chairmen and CEOs Dana Walden and Gary Newman. “Nothing is more exciting than starting a juicy, new franchise with him, and the team behind-the-scenes is top-notch — a ‘dream team’ that rivals any ever assembled.”

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Murphy is represented by CAA and attorney Craig Emmanuel of Loeb & Loeb LLP. Jacobson and Simpson are represented by CAA.

Alexander and Karaszewski are represented by CAA and attorney Christine Cuddy of Kleinberg, Lange, Cuddy & Carlo LLP. Falchuk is represented by WME and Gendler & Kelly, APC.

The rights for Jeffrey Toobin’s book, “The Run of His Life: The People v. O.J. Simpson,” were represented by ICM Partners.

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