Fans of Ryan Murphy have erupted in excitement after the first trailer for his upcoming thriller series, The Shards, was released on July 14. Set in 1980s Los Angeles, the show follows a group of students at an elite prep school navigating sex, obsession, jealousy, and, according to the synopsis, 'the dangers lurking beneath the surface of American adolescence.'
Plot and Characters
The story centers on aspiring writer Bret (Igby Rigney), who grows suspicious of a new student, Robert Mallory (Homer Gere). Mallory's arrival coincides with a serial killer known as The Trawler targeting teenagers across the city. Bret's elite social circle includes Susan Reynolds (Kaia Gerber), Debbie Schaffer (Hayes Warner), and Thom Wright (Graham Campbell), a group drawn into wealth, beauty, parties, and excess. The synopsis notes: 'The promise of their youth is contrasted with the dark and cynical world of the adults surrounding them: Terry Schaffer (Wes Bentley), Liz Schaffer (Evan Rachel Wood) and Steven Reinhardt (Jordan Roth).'
Source Material and Production
The Shards is adapted from Bret Easton Ellis's 2021 novel of the same name. Ellis, best known for his 1991 novel American Psycho, serves as an executive producer on the series. The first trailer showcases the glittering cast, prompting one fan to declare: 'Ryan Murphy plus this cast is a guaranteed masterpiece.' Another remarked: 'Ryan Murphy never misses when it comes to eerie vibes. This looks incredible.' A third added: 'So excited for this! Everything Ryan Murphy touches turns into gold.'
Release and Reception
The first two episodes will premiere on Disney+ on August 6, with subsequent episodes airing weekly. However, the series arrives amid mixed reactions to recent Ryan Murphy projects. One exasperated viewer commented: 'Begging this guy to stop making shows,' while another noted: 'I think Ryan has a LOT of ideas and most of them are actually really good. Unfortunately he never knows how to finish them or at least proceed it, imo.' Despite this, anticipation remains high for The Shards.
