Ryan Murphy's latest series, "The Shards," premiered on FX on August 5, introducing viewers to a world of privilege, music, and a looming mystery. The show, based on the novel of the same name by Bret Easton Ellis, is described as "autofiction," weaving fictional narratives with elements drawn from Ellis's own upbringing.
Set in 1981, "The Shards" centers on The Buckley School, an elite prep school in the San Fernando Valley that Ellis himself attended. The series stars Igby Rigney as a fictionalized version of the young Bret Easton Ellis. Similar to the real Ellis, the character is portrayed as a privileged teenager deeply involved in the Los Angeles music and social scene while working on his early writing projects, including what would become his novel "Less Than Zero."
The series diverges from Ellis's personal life with its central plotline involving a serial killer known as "The Trawler." The arrival of a new student coincides with the activities of this killer, adding a suspenseful fictional element to the story.
The main cast of "The Shards" includes Wes Bentley, Kaia Gerber, and Homer Gere, alongside Rigney. Recurring roles are filled by Evan Rachel Wood, Jordan Roth, Owen Painter, and Daniel Dale.
"The Shards" premiered with two episodes on August 5, airing on both FX and Hulu. New episodes are scheduled to be released weekly on Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET. The broadcast schedule includes "Pilot" and "Don’t You Want Me" on August 5, followed by "Help Me! Rhonda!" and "Robert’s Party" on August 12. Subsequent episodes, "Murder on the Dancefloor," "Homecoming Part One," "Homecoming Part Two," and "Hamlet," are set to air through September 2.
Viewers can watch "The Shards" through live TV streaming services like DIRECTV, which offers a five-day free trial. The series is also available for streaming on Hulu, with basic (with ads) and ad-free subscription options.