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Watch the first trailer for ‘American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez’
Aaron Hernandez is the subject of of Ryan Murphy's "American Sports Story" on FX, which debuts September 17.
First it was “American Horror Story,” then “American Crime Story.” Now, TV super producer Ryan Murphy is back with FX’s “American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez,” a 10-episode dramatization of the former Patriots tight end’s life and his fall from grace.
FX released the first teaser trailer “American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez” on Wednesday, giving audiences a very brief preview of how the series will chronicle the rise and fall of Hernandez.
As Hernandez catches a pass from Tom Brady, voiceovers call Hernandez “a ticking time bomb” and “a waste of talent.” As Hernandez falls to the ground, images flash in quick succession, including a shot of a brain scan that alludes to Hernandez’s posthumous CTE diagnosis.
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The trailer also features a brief shot of Josh Andrés Rivera (“West Side Story”) playing Hernandez in a recreation of the moment police lead him from his home in handcuffs in connection with the murder of Odin Lloyd.
Hernandez made an immediate impact with the Patriots after being drafted in 2010, forming a formidable tight end tandem with Rob Gronkowski during their three seasons together.
The player’s life took a dramatic turn in 2013 when he was charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of Lloyd. Hernandez was found guilty in 2015, and died by suicide in 2017 while serving a life sentence in prison.
“American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez” Cast
Along with Rivera playing Hernandez, “American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez” will feature a number of character actors and cast members best known for their work on Broadway.
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The show will feature Jaylen Barron (“Blindspotting”) as Hernandez’s fiancee Shayanna Jenkins, Lindsay Mendez (“Carousel”) as Hernandez’s cousin Tanya Singleton, Ean Castellanos (“High Maintenance”) as Hernandez’s brother D.J., Tammy Blanchard (“Tallulah”) as Hernandez’s mother, Tony Yazbeck (“On the Town”) as former Florida coach Urban Meyer, Patrick Schwarzenegger (“Gen V”) as Hernandez’s college teammate Tim Tebow, and Norbert Leo Butz as former Patriots coach Bill Belichick.
“American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez” is based on “Gladiator: Aaron Hernandez and Football Inc.,” a 2018 podcast produced by The Boston Globe and Wondery. Along with Murphy and several others, the show is executive produced by Globe publisher Linda Pizzuti Henry and Vice President of New Media Ira Napoliello.
“American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez” will premiere its first two episodes on September 17 at 10 p.m. on FX. The show will also be streaming the next day on Hulu.
Watch: “American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez”
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