FX's 'The Shards' Trailer: A Serial Killer Stalks Privileged Teens in 1980s Los Angeles This August

FX has released the first trailer for "The Shards," a new series from executive producer Ryan Murphy based on Bret Easton Ellis's best-selling novel. The show will premiere on August 5 on FX, Hulu, and Disney+ internationally, reported Bleeding Cool. The trailer introduces a dark mystery set in 1981 Los Angeles, following a group of wealthy prep school students as a serial killer begins targeting them.

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Bleeding CoolFX's 'The Shards' Adaptation from Ryan Murphy and Bret Easton Ellis Reveals New Key Art, Premieres August 5DisneyFX's "The Shards" Trailer Teases a Dark Mystery in 1980s Los AngelesDisneyFX’s “The Shards” Trailer Teases a Dark Mystery in 1980s Los Angeles

The story centers on a teenage Bret Easton Ellis (played by Igby Rigney), a writer whose life unravels when a charismatic new student, Robert Mallory (Homer Gere), arrives at school. The arrival coincides with growing panic over a serial killer called The Trawler, according to Bleeding Cool and Decider. The series blends elements of horror, coming-of-age drama, and suspense.

DeciderFX Releases First Trailer for Ryan Murphy's 'The Shards' Adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis's Bestseller

Disney's announcement described the series as following four teenagers "navigating identity, sex, jealousy, obsession and the dangers lurking beneath the surface of American adolescence." Bleeding Cool similarly noted the show deals with "privileged prep school seniors dealing with sex, jealousy, obsession, and fear." Both descriptions underscore the dark undercurrents of teen privilege in 1980s Los Angeles.

TVLine characterized the series as a "dark, horror-tinged take on high school life in 1980s Los Angeles," marking a return to high school settings for Murphy but with a more sinister tone. Decider added that the adaptation promises "a blend of sexy, scary, and coming-of-age elements." The A.V. Club noted that the distinctive saturated and bright visual style of Ryan Murphy FX productions is well-suited for this story's setting and subject matter.

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The A.V. ClubFX releases first trailer for 'The Shards,' starring a teenage Bret Easton Ellis in 1981 Los AngelesTVLineRyan Murphy's 'The Shards' Trailer: A Dark High School Horror Series Coming to FX and Hulu

The cast includes Kaia Gerber as one of the students, reported Whatfinger. Mashable summed up the project as "a tale of sex, murder, and the 1980s," drawing viewers into Ellis's metafictional world.

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Whatfinger‘The Shards’ Trailer: Igby Rigney, Kaia Gerber Navigate Senior Year and a Serial Killer in FX’s Bret Easton Ellis AdaptationMashable'The Shards' trailer: Ryan Murphy spins a tale of sex, murder, and the 1980s