FX’s upcoming thriller The Shards is making waves even before its premiere, largely due to its cast. The series brings together two stars who share a unique Hollywood connection: Kaia Gerber and Homer Gere. Their parents, Cindy Crawford and Richard Gere, were once married, adding an extra layer of interest to this new project. The show itself is a suspenseful adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis’s bestselling novel, produced by Ryan Murphy, and is set to debut on August 5.
A Cast Steeped in Hollywood History
The series features a cast of rising stars. Kaia Gerber, the 24-year-old model and actress, plays Susan Reynolds, a member of the elite social circle at the center of the show. She is joined by Homer Gere, who makes his leading role debut as the mysterious new student, Robert Mallory. Gere, 26, is the son of Richard Gere and Carey Lowell.
The casting has drawn attention because of the history between Gerber and Gere’s parents. Kaia’s mother, supermodel Cindy Crawford, and Homer’s father, actor Richard Gere, were married from 1991 to 1995. Despite this connection, the two actors did not know each other before working on the show.
“We had some mutual friends, but I was really, really excited to meet Homer and he’s such a wonderful actor, I mean my God!” – Kaia Gerber
Homer returned the compliment, calling Gerber a “lovely actress and person”. Series creator Ryan Murphy has noted that while their parents’ past is an interesting footnote, it wasn’t the reason for their casting.
What Is ‘The Shards’ About?
The Shards is set against the vivid backdrop of 1980s Los Angeles. The series follows a group of privileged high school seniors at an elite prep school as they deal with identity, sex, jealousy, and obsession.
At the center of the story is Bret, played by Igby Rigney, an aspiring writer whose world begins to unravel. His reality is shaken by the arrival of Robert Mallory, a charismatic new student portrayed by Homer Gere. Robert’s appearance coincides with the growing terror of a serial killer called The Trawler, who is targeting teenagers across the city. The cast also includes Hayes Warner as Debbie Schaffer, Graham Campbell as Thom Wright, along with Evan Rachel Wood, Wes Bentley, and Jordan Roth.
Homer Gere’s Rising Career
For Homer Gere, The Shards represents a major step forward. He made his television debut in the third season of HBO’s Euphoria, appearing in four episodes as Dylan Reid. His father, Richard Gere, has publicly expressed his pride in his son’s work.
“I’m proud of him on two levels. One, he’s really good. He really kind of preternaturally knows what he’s doing. But he’s also handling it really well. He’s a good kid.” – Richard Gere
The elder Gere also joked that with his son’s success, “I can retire now. I’m passing the torch”. Homer has mentioned that he still calls his father for advice, but not in the way one might expect. He also revealed that before pursuing acting, he thought he would become a scientist.
Kaia Gerber’s Expanding Portfolio
Kaia Gerber has been steadily building her acting career. After making her mark in the fashion world as a model, she has taken on roles in projects like American Horror Stories and Bottoms. The Shards marks one of her most prominent roles to date. At the Berlin premiere, Gerber described the show’s appeal:
“I can’t stop watching it. Even as an audience member, I remove myself from it, but it’s just a joy, and it’s sexy, and it’s scary, and it’s glamorous.” – Kaia Gerber
Also Read:
Premiere and Where to Watch
The Shards will premiere with its first two episodes on August 5 at 9 p.m. ET on FX and will be available for streaming on Hulu. In the UK, the series will premiere exclusively on Disney+ on August 6. New episodes are expected to follow weekly.
The series is produced by 20th Television in association with Ryan Murphy Television. It is based on Ellis’s 2023 novel, which he first released as a serialized audiobook on his podcast. The project had previously been in development at HBO before Ryan Murphy brought it to FX.
Also Read: Friends Co-Creator Marta Kauffman Returns to Sitcoms After 11 Years With New Amazon Series ‘DINKS’
Keep up with VvipTimes for the latest updates on new series, casting news, and everything happening in the world of entertainment.
Leave a Reply