Actor Homer Gere, son of Richard Gere, has shared how an intense scene with Sydney Sweeney in HBO's "Euphoria" provided unexpected preparation for his role in the upcoming FX series "The Shards." Gere, 26, described the "Euphoria" scene as "really good practice" for his part as Robert Mallory in the new show.
"The Shards," set to premiere August 5 on FX and Hulu, is a teen thriller created by Ryan Murphy and Bret Easton Ellis, based on Ellis' novel of the same name. The series follows Bret (Igby Rigney), a fictionalized version of Ellis, during his senior year at a high school where students engage in parties, sex, and drugs, all while a serial killer operates. Bret, who is secretly attracted to men, becomes fascinated by and suspicious of the new student, Robert Mallory.
Gere noted that his character in "The Shards" has moments where he needs to dance enthusiastically in front of crowds. He felt the "Euphoria" scene, where his character was seduced by Sweeney's, prepared him for performing "pretty out-there" sequences, including the dancing.
Similar to his "Euphoria" experience, Gere stated that "The Shards" features moments that are "outside of your body," requiring actors to fully commit to the "fun and crazy" aspects of the performance. "You just give yourself to it," he said.
The ensemble cast of "The Shards" includes Hayes Warner as Debbie, Graham Campbell as jock Thom, and Kaia Gerber as popular girl Susan. Gerber's mother, Cindy Crawford, was previously married to Richard Gere.
For his role, Homer Gere received advice from his father, who recommended watching the 1977 film "Looking for Mr. Goodbar." Richard Gere starred in the film alongside Diane Keaton. Homer Gere recalled his father's description of the movie as being about a character whose morality is ambiguous, making it difficult to discern if he is the "good guy, or the bad guy."
Within "The Shards," Bret's storyline involves a public relationship with Debbie while he explores his secret relationships with male classmates. Rigney discussed with Murphy the importance of depicting intimacy between Bret and Debbie to make their relationship believable, while also allowing his private affairs to reveal Bret's true desires.
Hayes Warner makes her debut in "The Shards," with Evan Rachel Wood portraying her on-screen mother. Warner expressed that Wood's experience as a child actress was beneficial, offering guidance on navigating a professional set.
"The Shards" premieres August 5 on FX and Hulu.