FX's new series "The Shards" opens with a disclaimer stating that the program is strictly fictional, with any resemblance to actual persons being purely coincidental. This is immediately followed by a voiceover from actor Igby Rigney, whose performance establishes the show's central character and narrative tone.
Rigney portrays a fictionalized version of author Bret Easton Ellis, the real-life creator of the novel on which the series is based. "The Shards" novel, a genre-bending work, is described as a fictionalized memoir where Ellis reimagines his senior year of high school amidst a serial killer's spree. The FX adaptation, co-created by Ryan Murphy and Ellis himself, casts Rigney as Bret, the show's narrator, who is presented as an unreliable storyteller.
Rigney's portrayal aims to evoke both the essence of the real Bret Easton Ellis and the energy of his most famous literary creations, such as Patrick Bateman from "American Psycho." The character of Bret on screen is envisioned as a younger, idealized version of Ellis.
In discussing his performance, Rigney credited Ryan Murphy as a significant guide in developing the voiceover and overall tone for the character. "We spent a lot, a lot of time on figuring out the voiceover and the tone of the voiceover," Rigney stated. He emphasized his desire to respect the iconic nature of Ellis's own narration of the audiobook version of "The Shards," while also creating something unique for the television adaptation.
Rigney's co-stars, Homer Gere and Hayes Warner, noted that Rigney dedicated extensive time to perfecting the voiceover, even working on it after principal photography had wrapped. Gere explained that the voiceover is a critical component of the show's narrative.
Bret Easton Ellis, the real-life author, is known for his "Literary Brat Pack" status in the 1980s, a group of writers who drew inspiration from the glamorous and excessive lifestyles of their generation. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Ellis achieved early fame with his 1985 novel "Less Than Zero." He went on to write other notable works, including "The Rules of Attraction" and "American Psycho." He also hosts "The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast."
While "The Shards" draws from Ellis's life, blurring lines between fact and fiction, the series incorporates significant fictional elements. The novel, and by extension the show, features a serial killer known as "The Trawler," a narrative device not based on real events from Ellis's life. The FX series also makes further dramatic alterations to the book's plot for entertainment purposes.
The first two episodes of "The Shards" premiered on FX and Hulu on August 5.