Actor Igby Rigney is preparing for the debut of “The Shards,” Ryan Murphy’s television adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis’ 2023 novel, which launches on FX on August 5. The 26-year-old performer, who headlines the series in his first major lead role, recently wrapped an extensive international press tour spanning Berlin, New York, and London. Rigney will celebrate the show’s premiere at a roller rink event in Los Angeles.
In “The Shards,” Rigney portrays the titular character navigating 1980s Los Angeles high school life while contending with teenage social dynamics, drug-fueled culture, personal identity questions, and a mysterious serial killer terrorizing his community. The casting process was notably competitive, with approximately 500 actors auditioning for the role. Rigney’s journey included an initial in-person audition in Los Angeles, followed by callbacks in New York where he met his future co-stars and worked directly with Murphy on chemistry reads designed to feel more like collaborative acting exercises than traditional auditions.
To prepare for his role, Rigney listened to the audiobook narrated by Ellis himself and studied interviews with the author from his early twenties to authentically capture the character’s voice for the series’ substantial narration components. Despite his deep engagement with the source material, Rigney has not personally met Ellis, as the author has primarily worked with Murphy during the adaptation process. The actor expressed confidence in his approach, focusing on the creative material provided rather than seeking direct collaboration with the original author.
Originally reported by Variety →
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