The Shards is the latest show to be executive produced by Emmy winner Ryan Murphy, based on best-selling author Bret Easton Ellis’ semi-autobiographical novel.
The sinister serial killer series’ two-episode premiere lands on Disney+ on Thursday, August 6. Here’s everything you need to know.
The Shards follows a group of privileged prep school seniors as a serial killer comes to 1980s LA Credit: 2026, FX. All rights reserved.
Wes Bentley as Terry Schaffer Credit: Ray Mickshaw / FX
The Shards is produced by FX, famous for making slick, high-end, cinematic programmes that push conventional boundaries.
Disney+’s synopsis reads: “Set against the vivid backdrop of 1980s Los Angeles, the series follows a group of privileged high school seniors at an elite prep school as they navigate identity, sex, jealousy, obsession, and the dangers lurking beneath the surface of American adolescence.
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“At its centre is Bret (Igby Rigney), an aspiring writer and keenly observant teenager whose reality begins to unravel with the arrival of a mysterious and magnetic new student, Robert Mallory (Homer Gere).
“Transferring in just before his senior year, Robert’s appearance coincides with the growing terror of The Trawler, a serial killer targeting teenagers across the city.”
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Who stars in The Shards?
Igby Rigney
Igby Rigney as Bret Credit: Pari Dukovic / FX
Bret is an aspiring writer and a senior at an elite LA prep school who’s a keen observer of everyone around him.
But his life is turned upside down by the arrival of a mysterious new classmate, whom he becomes increasingly focused on.
You might recognise Igby Rigney from The Midnight Club, The Fall of the House of Usher, Grey’s Anatomy, Blue Bloods, and Fast & Furious Spy Racers.
Kaia Gerber
Kaia Gerber (right) as Susan Reynolds Credit: Ray Mickshaw / FX
Susan Reynolds is Bret’s classmate and good friend, and one of the most popular kids in school.
But her homecoming queen exterior is hiding insecurities she will go to great lengths to keep hidden.
Kaia Gerber is Cindy Crawford’s daughter and rose to fame as a model before appearing in shows and films like American Horror Story, Bottoms, Palm Royale, and Overcompensating.
Homer Gere
Homer Gere as Robert Mallory Credit: Ray Mickshaw / FX
Robert Mallory is the new arrival at school whom Bret becomes fascinated with.
His arrival coincides with a string of gruesome murders, which leads Bret to believe he could be connected to the serial killer known as The Trawler.
Another nepo baby, Homer Gere is the son of Richard Gere and Carey Lowell, and he also featured in HBO’s Euphoria.
Hayes Warner
Hayes Warner as Debbie Schaffer Credit: Pari Dukovic / FX
Debbie Schaffer is the confident and chic daughter of a Hollywood producer.
She is also Bret’s girlfriend and notices her man’s behaviour suddenly change after Robert’s arrival.
Hayes Warner is a singer-songwriter with hits including ‘Predator’ and ‘Breadcrumbs’; The Shards looks set to be her breakout TV role.
Graham Campbell
Graham Campbell as Thom Wright Credit: FX
Thom Wright is Bret’s charismatic friend and the school’s top athlete.
But as Bret’s paranoia grows, his cool demeanour is put to the test.
Graham Campbell’s previous credits include Late Fame, 2 Broke Girls, and the Broadway production of Appropriate.
The rest of the cast includes:
Wes Bentley as Terry Schaffer
Evan Rachel Wood as Liz Schaffer
Daniel Dale as Ryan Vaughn
Cortes Alexander as Principal Croft
Chris Conner as Detective Fregosi
Owen Painter as Matt Kellner
Jordan Roth as Steven Reinhardt
How to watch The Shards in the UK
The Shards will stream exclusively in the UK on Disney+ under the FX banner.
The series kicks off with a two-episode premiere on Thursday, 6 August.
Following the double-episode debut, single episodes will drop weekly every Thursday through until the season finale on Thursday, 10 September.
