Ryan Murphy’s The Shards could have a longer future on television than its initial nine-episode season suggests. He has indicated that the material could sustain several seasons, giving the story more time to develop. Based on Bret Easton Ellis’ semi-autobiographical novel, the series could continue for at least three seasons if renewed.
Ryan Murphy’s The Shards could get at least three seasons
Ryan Murphy is considering a much longer run for The Shards than the nine episodes currently planned for its first season. The series could extend to at least three seasons, reflecting Bret Easton Ellis’ original preference.
Ellis had expressed that preference when he and Murphy discussed bringing the novel to television. Murphy said Ellis did not initially want the adaptation limited to a single season and instead believed the material could sustain three seasons. According to Variety, Murphy said, “When I first met with him, he didn’t really want to do it as a limited series. He always thought this could be a three-year dramatic series, if not longer.”
The creator agreed with that approach because a longer run would provide more room to develop the material. “I like that idea. You have the space and time and energy. You’re not doing nine or 10 episodes. You’re going to try and do 30. That’s how I could add some of my own personal things in there,” he explained.
The story follows 17-year-old Bret Easton Ellis as he spends his final year at the prestigious Buckley prep school in Los Angeles in 1981. His routine is disrupted when Robert Mallory joins the school, arriving as a string of murders targeting teenagers begins to draw attention across the city.
Based on Ellis’ semi-autobiographical novel, The Shards premiered on August 5, 2026, with two episodes. The remaining episodes are being released weekly, with the ninth and final episode scheduled for September 2, 2026.
Originally reported by Disheeta Maheshwari for Coming Soon.
