FX’s The 'Shards' trailer teases Ryan Murphy’s twisted coming-of-age thriller

Ryan Murphy’s 'The Shards' trailer teases sex, secrets and danger in FX’s new drama based on Bret Easton Ellis’ novel

FX has released the first trailer for The Shards, Ryan Murphy’s upcoming coming-of-age drama based on Bret Easton Ellis’ acclaimed novel. The series is set to premiere on August 5 on FX and Hulu, with an international release on Disney+.

Adapted from Ellis’ semi-autobiographical thriller, The Shards explores teenage identity, obsession, desire and danger against the backdrop of 1980s Los Angeles. The story follows a 17-year-old version of Ellis during his final year at the elite Buckley prep school, where his privileged world begins to fall apart after the arrival of a mysterious new student.

Igby Rigney stars as Bret, an aspiring writer whose life becomes increasingly complicated when Robert Mallory, played by Homer Gere, joins the school. Robert’s arrival coincides with a growing fear across Los Angeles as a serial killer known as The Trawler begins targeting teenagers.

The newly released trailer introduces a world filled with parties, romance, secrets and excess while highlighting the darker themes at the centre of the story. The series explores the complicated lives of wealthy high school students as they navigate friendships, jealousy, relationships and the hidden dangers surrounding their community.

The cast also includes Kaia Gerber as Susan Reynolds, Hayes Warner as Debbie Schaffer and Graham Campbell as Thom Wright. Wes Bentley, Evan Rachel Wood and Jordan Roth portray the adults connected to the students’ world.

The Shards comes from 20th Television and Ryan Murphy Productions. Murphy, Nina Jacobson, Brad Simpson, Ellis and several others serve as executive producers, including directors Max Winkler and Michael Uppendahl.

Based on Ellis’ 2023 novel, the FX series combines psychological thriller elements with a dark exploration of adolescence, making it one of Ryan Murphy’s most anticipated television projects of 2026.