Ryan Murphy‘s AMERICAN HORROR STORY series has been a very successful one for the showrunner and producer, one that has seemed to stick around with a higher level of quality compared to the quickly burnt out GLEE and the overlong run for NIP/TUCK. So, it would make sense his next project for TV would be a spin-off of his anthology horror series. Say hello to AMERICAN CRIME STORY.
Deadline reports that FX has ordered the first season which will be called AMERICAN CRIME STORY: THE PEOPLE VS OJ SIMPSON. Based on a non-fiction account of the “Crime of the Century”, this true crime format will distinguish the new series from the wholly original AMERICAN HORROR STORY. Murphy will direct the first two episodes which will be written by MAN ON THE MOON and THE PEOPLE VS LARRY FLYNT screenwriting duo of Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski.
American Crime Story: The People V. O.J. Simpson is a look at the Simpson trial told from the perspective of the lawyers that explores the chaotic behind-the-scenes dealings and maneuvering on both sides of the court, and how a combination of prosecution confidence, defense wiliness, and the LAPD’s history with the city’s black community gave a jury what it needed: reasonable doubt.
While AMERICAN HORROR STORY has been able to delve into total madness and crazy subplots, this makes me wonder if AMERICAN CRIME STORY will be a fantastic “True Hollywood Story”-style series or something more grounded in reality. TRUE DETECTIVE already took the noir approach to the anthology format, so I wonder if Murphy’s idea can hold up. I guess we will find out next season.