Ryan Murphy collabs with Bret Easton Ellis to create the new FX series, The Shards. The series is based on Ellis’ semi-autobiographical novel of the same name set in 80s Los Angeles. This journey is led by a host of fresh faces in Igby Rigney, Kaia Gerber, and Thom Wright. If you take the popular FOX series The O.C., put it in 80s Los Angeles, and sprinkle in provocative storytelling, you get The Shards. The binge-worthy series grabs your attention early and never lets go.
What is ‘The Shards” about?
Bret Easton Ellis (Igby Rigney) is an aspiring writer whose life begins to unravel upon the arrival of a new student, Robert Mallory (Homer Gere). Transferring in just before his senior year, Robert’s appearance coincides with the birth of the serial killer named The Trawler. Bret is joined by the elite social circle of friends Susan Reynolds (Kaia Gerber), Debbie Schaffer (Hayes Warner), and Thom Wright (Graham Campbell), all of whom live within the dark and cynical world of being a teenager.
‘The Shards’ Season 1 Review
If you follow Ryan Murphy’s career, you know what to expect from his TV shows. He follows some of the similar beats in each one, and while there is nothing wrong with that, you are often feeling this urge to wander off and are not always invested. Outside All’s Fair, he has had more misses than hits as of late. That changes with The Shards, which I believe might be his best series in years.
You have your typical beats with stunning visuals, dazzling costumes, and production design that drops audiences in 80s Los Angeles. Nobody explores Los Angeles quite like Murphy, who has it pay off handsomely here. The Shards stand out for various reasons, but man, the cast is electric. They took quite a risk with having our main cast filled with many “unknowns” but each handled their own and elevated this story to new heights.
One of those unknowns is Igby Rigney, who has played little roles here and there in his brief career, but Rigney will become a household name after watching this. Rigney just oozed charisma that can’t be taught. Set in 80s Los Angeles, portraying a writer, Rigney felt like a movie star right out of that era. I think that is the highest compliment I can pay him. Just the fact you can see star written all over him, and it only got better as each episode passed.
The other standout to me was Kaia Gerber. I enjoyed Gerber in Bottoms and love her recurring role in Palm Royale, but in those and her other roles, I saw talent, but nothing that prepared me for what we see in The Shards. As Susan Reynolds is reminiscent of Cindy Crawford (her mother) or Brooke Shields, a pinup vixen that steals your heart. Gerber is stunning; she’s a model, but it’s how she carries herself as Reynolds that makes her stand out like we’ve never seen before.
The essence of 80s Los Angeles is something I could only dream of living in. Of course, Murphy and his team do an impressive job of making you not only want to invest in this world but also be these characters. The writing is top-notch. Accompanied by dazzling aesthetics and a pitch-perfect score. It’s the perfect series to end the summer.
Is ‘The Shards’ worth watching?
The Shards is a reminder that Ryan Murphy can still deliver the goods. Electric performances from the entire cast led by Igby Rigney, as this is one of the best new shows of 2026. I am sure many of you have grown tired of the Murphy schtick, but I promise you that this one is worthy of the binge. If you like the aesthetically pleasing era of the 80s Los Angeles sprinkled with wealth, greed, and the backdrop of a serial killer, you are in for one hell of a treat.
The Shards is available to watch on FX and streaming on Hulu.
The Shards is a reminder that Ryan Murphy can still deliver the goods. Electric performances from the entire cast led by Igby Rigney, as this is one of the best new shows of 2026.
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GVN Rating
Family, Faith, Film and Football.
