TV SERIES · 2026–present · USA
The Shards
- Created by
- Ryan Murphy, Bret Easton Ellis
- Network
- FX
- Seasons
- 1
- Episodes
- 9
- Studio
- 20th Television, Ryan Murphy Television, Color Force
18 archived facts 4 topics 2 sources Last reviewed Sep 2026
17-year-old Bret Easton Ellis is in his final year at the elite Buckley prep school. Upending his world is the arrival of a mysterious new student, Robert Mallory, whose unsettling presence coincides with the activities of a serial killer known as The Trawler.
Summary: TMDB
All facts (18)
- #001
In April 2023, it was reported that Bret Easton Ellis would write a series adaptation of his novel for HBO and serve as an executive producer alongside Nick Hall and Brian Young.
- #002
The series is adapted from Bret Easton Ellis's semi-autobiographical novel and was created by Ellis and Ryan Murphy.
- #003
In a June 2023 interview with the Spanish publication El Independiente, Bret Easton Ellis confirmed that Luca Guadagnino was set to direct the series, and Ellis said he might direct some episodes himself.
- #004
The project was initially developed for HBO; in April 2023 it was reported that Ellis would write the script, and in June 2023 that Luca Guadagnino would direct. In January 2025, Ellis announced that the adaptation, with Kristoffer Borgli now attached to direct, was no longer being developed at HBO due to creative differences; in February 2025, Ryan Murphy began talks to bring the project to another network. In May 2025, it was announced that FX had taken the series into early development with Max Winkler set to direct; in July 2025 the production was officially greenlit.
- #005
Bret Easton Ellis revealed in January 2025 that the adaptation, which Kristoffer Borgli had signed on to direct, was no longer in development at HBO because of creative differences.
- #006
Murphy has stated that he plans for the series to run for at least three seasons.
- #007
Filming on the series began in November 2025 and was completed in March 2026.
- #008
In May 2025, FX was announced to be in early development on The Shards, with Max Winkler set to direct. The series is produced by 20th Television in association with Ryan Murphy Television.
- #009
The original music involved Troye Sivan and his longtime collaborator Leland, joined by Oscar Görres and Hayes Warner, one of the series' cast members.
- #010
The series' first season consists of 9 episodes and was released on 5 August 2026.
- #011
The Shards was officially greenlit in July 2025.
- #012
The production companies include 20th Television, Ryan Murphy Television, Color Force and Sodium Fox Productions.
- #013
Ryan Murphy has discussed a plan for The Shards to run for at least three seasons.
- #014
Before The Shards was ordered to series, Jacob Elordi was reported in September 2023 to be in talks for a role in the adaptation.
- #015
When The Shards was greenlit in July 2025, Igby Rigney, Homer Gere and Graham Campbell were revealed as cast members playing Ellis, Robert Mallory and Thom Wright.
- #016
Hayes Warner was revealed in August 2025 to have joined The Shards as Debbie Schaffer.
- #017
Wes Bentley joined The Shards in October 2025 as Terry, the father of Debbie, while Evan Rachel Wood and Jordan Roth were cast in recurring roles.
- #018
"LA Wants Me Dead," performed by Troye Sivan and written by Sivan, Leland and Oscar Görres, was released on August 12, 2026.
Sources & editorial notes
Reference databases
Sources for the entries on this page
- Wikipedia The Shards (TV series) — Wikipedia
- Wikipedia Wikipedia (EN)
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