'American Crime Story' Season 3: Edgar Ramirez, Darren Criss Tapped to Play Lead Roles in 'Versace'

By Denise See, Christian Post Contributor Friday, February 17, 2017

"American Crime Story" already has three more seasons in the works following the critical success of the first season, "The People v. O.J. Simpson." And while the fourth season is still in its earliest stage, the second and third seasons have already begun to take shape.

The third season, which will focus on the murder of Italian fashion designer Gianni Versace, has already cast its two lead characters. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Edgar Ramirez has been tapped to play the iconic designer, while Darren Criss is set to play his murderer, Andrew Cunanan.

"Versace: American Crime Story" will be based on Maureen Orth's book "Vulgar Favors: Andrew Cunanan, Gianni Versace, and the Largest Failed Manhunt in U.S. History." It will consist of 10 episodes, with the first two being penned by Tom Rob Smith. "Versace" will commence production in March, which will be simultaneous with filming for the second season.

The second season, which will focus on Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath, will be based on Douglas Brinkley's "The Great Deluge: Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast." Annette Bening has already been cast to play then-Governor of Louisiana Kathleen Blanco. Sarah Paulson, Cuba Gooding Jr., and Courtney B. Vance are all returning to play different roles in the second season.

Both "Versace" and "Katrina" are expected to premiere in 2018, airing within six months of each other. "The People v. O.J. Simpson" debuted in February 2016. Two years may be a long wait, but FX Networks CEO John Landgraf pointed out that the weather is something they are also considering when filming in New Orleans.

As for the fourth season, which will focus on former President Bill Clinton's sex scandal with Monica Lewinsky, creator Ryan Murphy already has a role for Paulson in mind. While speaking to Andy Cohen on "Watch What Happens Live," Murphy revealed that he approached Paulson to play Linda Tripp, but the actress has yet to give an answer.

Murphy and Paulson are frequent collaborators, with the latter earning an Emmy and a Golden Globe for her role as Marcia Clark on "The People v. O.J. Simpson."