'American Crime Story' Season 2: Versace Family Says FX Mini-Series Is ‘Work Of Fiction’
Days before the premiere of the second season of American Crime Story titled The Assassination of Gianni Versace, the Versace family has released a statement.
American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace Storyline And Cast
The hit true crime series, which picked up nine Emmy Awards for its take on the infamous murder trial of O.J. Simpson in its first season, is back for a second outing.
The second season of executive producer Ryan Murphy's critically acclaimed anthology series, as the title suggests, focuses on the murder of Gianni Versace by serial killer Andrew Cunanan in 1997.
Cunanan shot Versace outside the designer's Miami home and murdered five other people in a killing spree that ended with his suicide. Versace was 50 years old at the time of his death.
Edgar Ramirez plays the role of the late fashion designer while Darren Criss portrays the character of Cunanan. The upcoming season not only explores Gianni Versace's murder but also documents his relationship with sister Donatella (Penelope Cruz) and boyfriend Antonio D'Amico (Ricky Martin).
The Versace Family Releases Statement
The Versace family had remained mum about the upcoming FX miniseries, which will also include real-life events, until now. The family has now released a statement, saying that it had not authorized and had nothing to do with American Crime Story's sophomore season.
The family said that it did not provide authorization for Murphy's upcoming installment of American Crime Story. It had no form of involvement with the forthcoming series that revolves around the murder of Versace.
"Since Versace did not authorize the book on which it is partly based nor has it taken part in the writing of the screenplay, this TV series should only be considered as a work of fiction," the family said in the statement.
Network Responds To Versace Family's Statement
Fox 21 Television Studios and FX Productions, which handles the show's production, responded to the Versace family's statement by saying that the first season of American Crime Story titled The People Vs OJ Simpson was inspired by Jeffrey Toobin's non-fiction bestseller The Run of His Life.
Similarly, the network added that The Assassination of Gianni Versace is adapted from Maureen Orth's non-fiction book Vulgar Favors: Andrew Cunanan, Gianni Versace, and the Largest Failed Manhunt in U.S., and it stands by Orth's meticulous reporting skills.
In November, Donatella said she does not intend to watch the FX series because it is based on a book that tells incredible falsehoods.
The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story debuts on FX on Jan. 17.
Check out the official trailer below.
