BBC Two will begin airing new US crime anthology series American Crime Story next month.
From the executive producers of American Horror Story, Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk, the ten-part first season – titled The People v. O.J. Simpson – will tell the story behind one of the most famous court cases of all time.
The limited series launches in the US next month on 21st Century Fox’s cable network FX and begins in the UK at 9pm on Monday 15 February on BBC Two.
The cast includes Cuba Gooding Jr as O.J. Simpson, John Travolta as defence attorney Robert Shapiro, David Schwimmer as defence attorney Robert Kardashian, Sarah Paulson as prosecutor Marcia Clark, Courtney B Vance as defence attorney Johnnie Cochran, and Bruce Greenwood as Los Angeles County District Attorney Gil Garcetti.
Watch the trailer…
The official synopsis reads: “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story takes audiences inside the OJ Simpson trial with a riveting look at the legal teams battling to convict or acquit the American football legend of double homicide. Based on the book The Run Of His Life: The People v. O.J. Simpson by Jeffrey Toobin, the series explores the chaotic, behind-the-scenes dealings and manoeuvring on both sides of the court, and how a combination of prosecution over-confidence, defence shrewdness, and the Los Angeles Police Department’s history with the city’s African-American community gave a jury what it needed: reasonable doubt.”
Kim Shillinglaw, Controller of BBC Two and BBC Four, commented: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be bringing this gripping, highly distinctive series to BBC Two. With an outstanding cast and a top-rate creative team, it is just the kind of grown-up, contemporary drama I want to see on the channel.”
Sue Deeks, Head of BBC Programme Acquisition, added: “I am so excited for BBC viewers to see this series. The People v. O.J. Simpson is a fascinating and totally absorbing dramatisation of a case seared into the public consciousness. It is a case that you might think you know all about – but believe me, you don’t know the half of it…”
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