The Shards, a new FX drama from Ryan Murphy, is set to bow in France on August 6, 2026 on Disney+ with its first two episodes. Based on the novel by Bret Easton Ellis, the series is unveiled in an official trailer centered on a group of privileged young people as they grapple with violence, secrets and paranoia.
The Shards
Drama series | 2026
Available on Disney+ on August 6, 2026
Premiere with two episodes
Based on the novel by Bret Easton Ellis
Executive producer: Ryan Murphy
The story of The Shards unfolds in early-1980s Los Angeles. It follows a teenager navigating life in an affluent world as the arrival of a new student and a string of unsettling events upend his daily routine. The drama blends coming-of-age motifs with a psychological thriller and a looming criminal threat.
Published in French under the title The Shards, Bret Easton Ellis's novel blurs the lines between fiction and autobiographical elements. Its plot revisits the high school years of its narrator, his relationships, obsessions, and the fear sparked by a serial killer prowling the city.
The trailer leans into a palpable sense of tension. The footage swings between parties, romance, jealousy, and more ominous moments, with several characters whose motives remain murky. Without revealing every beat of the plot, the clip signals a mature, dark direction that goes well beyond a simple chronicle of Californian youth.
Ryan Murphy serves as an executive producer on this adaptation. The producer and creator is notably tied to several series that delve into crime, power dynamics, and controversial figures, including American Crime Story, Monster, and Feud.
The Shards may appeal to Disney+ subscribers looking for a psychological thriller centered on teenagers and young adults, as well as Bret Easton Ellis readers curious to see how his novel has been adapted. Its violent, unsettling atmosphere, however, distances it from light, teen- or family-oriented series.
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