Ryan Murphy talks about Versace finale, 9-1-1, and the year ahead

Ryan Murphy focuses on the year ahead following Versace and 9-1-1 finales.

2018 started off with a bang with two Ryan Murphy shows — and we couldn’t be more grateful. On Wednesday, 9-1-1 and The Assassination of Gianni Versace had their season finales as they wrapped up their equally dramatic, emotional storylines.

Versace was filmed over the course of eight months (May to January) and was shot in a myriad of locations ranging from Miami to Minnesota to Chicago. Even the houseboat that Andrew Cunanan shot himself in was rebuilt on Collins Avenue in Miami by the Versace team based on the photographs and footage from 1997.

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Thanks to Darren Criss who played the conflicted Cunanan along with the executive producers, Murphy’s job was made easier due to their immense talent and dedication to the project.

If you’ve checked out Versace, you know exactly what we’re talking about. Murphy shared his thoughts on the final episode, in an interview with Variety, that illustrates Cunanan’s demise and Criss’ portrayal of it:

"“It was that moment when you’re shooting the series that you’re waiting for. We knew the stuff Darren was going to have to do would be very, very emotional and upsetting, when he was finally caged and trapped. It was hard for him. Darren had nobody to react to other than himself for most of the episode. He really arced the character so well and stripped it down to the bare essence at the end. It was very emotional and difficult material. Darren gave the performance of the year.”"

Murphy also went on to say that he is pleased with the critical acclaim Criss is receiving over his portrayal of Cunanan and hopes that this will pave the way for more opportunities. Even Stephen King took to Twitter to share his praise over the writing in Versace, which was written and filmed in a reverse-chronological order starting from Versace’s death.

Although Versace did not reach the critical acclaim of its predecessor, The People v. O.J. Simpson, Murphy states he was aware of this. Instead, his message with Versace has shed light on the discrimination against homosexuals during that time and is what viewers have been responding to in their reviews.

Murphy’s Fox show, 9-1-1 also aired its season one finale on Wednesday, which Murphy states he was initially reluctant to do. He said there have been discussions of spin-offs, although nothing is set in stone as of yet.

Murphy will be taking his talents to Netflix this summer while he tackles on four new projects, two of which will be for the streaming service. Currently, he is in New York filming his transgender drama for FX, Pose.

Come July, he will begin work on the Netflix drama, The Politician and American Horror Story’s eighth season. And if that isn’t enough Ryan Murphy for you, then fret not, next year he will work with Sarah Paulson on Netflix’s adaptation of the origin of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, called Ratched.

Next: HBO promo reveals Westworld season two footage

"“There’s going to be a lot of extensive legwork and a lot of traveling for these shows. They all shoot in different cities. For the first time in a long time, I can tell you I feel pretty content. For now, I’m good.”"

Be sure to check back with us for all the latest updates on Ryan Murphy’s projects!

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