Ryan Murphy’s ‘The Shards’ Adaptation Brings Bret Easton Ellis’s 1981 LA Teen Horror to FX and Hulu
Ryan Murphy's adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis's novel, The Shards, debuted on FX and Hulu in August 2026. The narrative unfolds in 1981 Los Angeles, centering on five affluent high school students—Susan, Robert, Thom, Debbie, and a young Bret Easton Ellis—who navigate the dangers posed by a serial killer known as 'The Trawler.' In an interview featured in CULTURED magazine, the cast—Kaia Gerber, Homer Gere, Graham Campbell, Hayes Warner, and Igby Rigney—reflected on the show's nostalgic analog backdrop. Renowned for his work on American Horror Story and Glee, Murphy aspires to elevate emerging talent. The series intertwines elements of teen drama and horror while delving into themes of identity and secrecy. The CULTURED article, captured by Christian Coppola, is part of the Cult of Personality issue, which examines fame.
Key facts
- The Shards premiered on FX and Hulu in August 2026.
- The series is adapted from Bret Easton Ellis's 2023 novel The Shards.
- It follows five wealthy high school students in 1981 Los Angeles.
- A serial killer called 'The Trawler' murders students in the Hollywood Hills.
- Cast members include Kaia Gerber, Homer Gere, Graham Campbell, Hayes Warner, and Igby Rigney.
- Ryan Murphy created the series and cited the AIDS subtext as a draw.
- The cast bonded during filming, meeting weekly at Gerber's house.
- The show has been described as merging teen drama with horror.
Entities
Artists
- Kaia Gerber
- Homer Gere
- Graham Campbell
- Hayes Warner
- Igby Rigney
- Bret Easton Ellis
- Ryan Murphy
- Cindy Crawford
- Richard Gere
- John F. Kennedy Jr.
- Carolyn Bessette
- Christian Coppola
Institutions
- FX
- Hulu
- CULTURED
- The New York Times
- Hamburger Hamlet
- Odeon
Locations
- Los Angeles
- Hollywood Hills
- United States