The O.J. Simpson murder trial seems to be the ratings gift that keeps on giving, so it is not surprising that FX’s true crime anthology series, American Crime Story, has been snatched up by Netflix. The streamer announced today that it has reached an agreement with 20th Century Fox Television Distribution to become the exclusive global streaming home of the series.
Thanks to the new deal, the first installment, The People v. O.J. Simpson, will be available globally, aside from in Canada, starting in 2017. Netflix seems to have faith in the future of the anthology as well; subsequent seasons will hit the streaming service once their broadcast window pass.
There’s reason to have high expectations for American Crime Story. Its 10-episode first season set the bar high by becoming cable’s most-watched new series of 2016. However, with more networks getting in on the true crime craze, it may be difficult for FX to maintain its momentum. Trials as well-known and sensational as O.J. Simpson’s don’t come around every day. There’s a reason it was called “the trial of the century,” after all.
American Crime Story season 2 does look promising, though. When the next installment premieres on FX in 2017, it will center on Hurricane Katrina and the circumstances surrounding the terrible disaster. The focus is much broader than the first installment, so it will be interesting to see how the team approaches it.
Season 1 dramatized the controversial O.J. Simpson murder case, bringing together an impressive cast, including actors Cuba Gooding Jr., Sarah Paulson, John Travolta, David Schwimmer, Courtney B. Vance, Sterling K. Brown, Nathan Lane, Kenneth Choi, Christian Clemenson, and Bruce Greenwood. Its executive producers aren’t too shabby, either: Ryan Murphy, Nina Jacobson, Brad Simpson, Scott Alexander, Larry Karaszewski and Brad Falchuk. Fox 21 Television Studios and FX Productions produced.
American Crime Story season 1 arrives on Netflix in 2017.
