The Shards: Bret Easton Ellis's Novel Becomes a Ryan Murphy Thriller
The FX drama series The Shards, adapted from Bret Easton Ellis's acclaimed novel Le schegge, debuted on Disney+ on August 6, 2026, featuring its initial two episodes. Set in 1980s Los Angeles, the narrative centers on Bret, a wealthy high school student, as a serial killer wreaks havoc among the elite. Created by Ryan Murphy, the series delves into how suspicion can distort perception, echoing a central theme of Ellis's work. Igby Rigney plays Bret, while Homer Gere portrays Robert Mallory. The ensemble cast also includes Kaia Gerber, Hayes Warner, Graham Campbell, Wes Bentley, and Evan Rachel Wood. The show employs the serial killer motif to symbolize the AIDS epidemic, examining obsession and desire within the American psyche of the 1980s.
Key facts
- The Shards is a new FX drama series based on Bret Easton Ellis's novel Le schegge (The Shards), published by Einaudi.
- The series premiered on Disney+ on August 6, 2026, with the first two episodes.
- It is created by Ryan Murphy, known for American Horror Story and Glee.
- The story is set in 1980s Los Angeles and follows Bret, a privileged high school student, as a serial killer terrorizes the city.
- Igby Rigney plays Bret, and Homer Gere plays the mysterious Robert Mallory.
- The cast also includes Kaia Gerber, Hayes Warner, Graham Campbell, Wes Bentley, and Evan Rachel Wood.
- The series explores how suspicion alters perception of reality, a theme central to Ellis's novel.
- The serial killer is used as a metaphor for the AIDS epidemic that affected that generation.
Entities
Artists
- Bret Easton Ellis
- Ryan Murphy
- Igby Rigney
- Homer Gere
- Kaia Gerber
- Hayes Warner
- Graham Campbell
- Wes Bentley
- Evan Rachel Wood
- Margherita Bordino
Institutions
- FX
- Disney+
- Einaudi
- Artribune
Locations
- Los Angeles
- United States