# Release and potential expansion of ‘The Shards’ series

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/release-of-ryan-murphys-the-shards-series
> Updated: 2026-09-11T10:30:04.000Z. Sources: 8. Developments: 4.

The psychological thriller series ‘The Shards’, produced by Ryan Murphy and based on the novel by Bret Easton Ellis, has premiered on Disney+ and Hulu. Set in 1981 Los Angeles, the series follows a group of wealthy teenagers and an aspiring writer named Bret, whose lives are disrupted by a mysterious new student, Robert Mallory, and the presence of a serial killer known as ‘the Trawler’. 

The first season consists of ten episodes. The production has drawn attention for its meticulous recreation of 1980s high-society Californian glamour, specifically featuring mansions in Bel Air and along Mulholland Drive. Production designer Cat Smith utilized her personal history of attending private schools in Los Angeles to authentically recreate the era's aesthetic through high-end decor and designer furniture. 

Although the plot is fictional, the setting is rooted in the real-life experiences of Bret Easton Ellis, who attended The Buckley School, the exclusive institution that serves as the primary backdrop for the story. 

Following the conclusion of the first season, Ryan Murphy has expressed interest in expanding the project. In an interview with Variety, Murphy noted that Bret Easton Ellis supports the idea of the series becoming a ‘multi-year drama rather than a limited miniseries’, potentially spanning up to thirty episodes to allow for deeper character development. While a second season has not yet been officially renewed, the possibility of expansion remains under consideration.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-11: The Shards series explores 1980s Los Angeles thriller

Ryan Murphy’s ‘The Shards’, based on Bret Easton Ellis’ novel, explores a dark 1980s Los Angeles thriller. The creator has expressed interest in expanding the series beyond its first season.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/the-shards-series-explores-1980s-los-angeles-thriller

### 2026-08-24: The Shards series recreates 1980s Los Angeles glamour

Ryan Murphy’s ‘The Shards’ on Disney+ recreates 1980s Los Angeles glamour and elite high school life, based on Bret Easton Ellis’s semi-autobiographical novel.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/the-shards-series-recreates-1980s-los-angeles-glamour

### 2026-08-18: Ryan Murphy’s ‘Shards’ series premieres on Disney+

Ryan Murphy’s new Disney+ series ‘Shards’, based on Bret Easton Ellis’s novel, is a psychological thriller set in 1980s Los Angeles involving a serial killer and elite preparatory school students.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ryan-murphys-shards-series-premieres-on-disney

### 2026-08-08: Ryan Murphy's 'The Shards' explores 1980s Los Angeles

Ryan Murphy’s nine-episode FX thriller 'The Shards,' adapted from Bret Easton Ellis's novel, follows wealthy teenagers in 1981 Los Angeles amidst a serial killer investigation.

7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ryan-murphys-the-shards-explores-1980s-los-angeles

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Cite as: Release and potential expansion of ‘The Shards’ series. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/release-of-ryan-murphys-the-shards-series