FX is officially doubling down on its original anthology series American Crime Story by ordering a third season of 10 episodes which will likely film concurrently with the second season. The focus of the third season will be the 1997 assassination of legendary fashion designer Gianni Versace and will be titled Versace/Cunanan: American Crime Story.
Based on the book Vulgar Favors: Andrew Cunanan, Gianni Versace, and the Largest Failed Manhunt in U.S. History by Maureen Orth, the third season will explore the death of Versace in July 1997. His killer, Andrew Cunanan, committed suicide eight days later as Miami Dade police were on the verge of capturing the serial killer behind five slayings.
Tom Rob Smith is set to write the first two episodes of the season. He will executive produce with Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, Dante Di Loreto, Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson. Murphy is also set to direct the premiere episode. Fox 21 Television Productions and Ryan Murphy Productions will produce.
The second installment of the anthology series, Katrina, is set to begin filming in early 2017 for a debut later in the year. Versace/Cunanan is expected to film at the same time with producers already meeting actors for the lead roles. The third installment won't debut on FX until 2018 though.
The renewal comes after the first season, The People v. O.J. Simpson, won 9 awards at the Primetime Emmy Awards.
