O.J. Simpson Drama Heads to BBC Two

LONDON: BBC Two has acquired The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story, a limited series about the trial of the titular former NFL player, who was acquitted of murder in 1995.

The ten-part production is based on the book The Run of His Life: The People v. O.J. Simpson, penned by Jeffrey Toobin. The cast is led by Cuba Gooding Jr., John Travolta, David Schwimmer and Sarah Paulson, among others. The first episode is directed by Emmy winner Ryan Murphy, who also serves as an executive producer.

The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story is produced by Fox 21 Television Studios and FX Productions. The series is distributed by 20th Century Fox Television Distribution. It is slated to begin airing on BBC Two next month.

Kim Shillinglaw, the controller of BBC Two and BBC Four, commented: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be bringing this gripping, highly distinctive series to BBC Two. With an outstanding cast and a top-rate creative team, it is just the kind of grown-up, contemporary drama I want to see on the channel.”

Sue Deeks, the head of BBC program acquisition, added: “I am so excited for BBC viewers to see this series. The People v. O.J. Simpson is a fascinating and totally absorbing dramatization of a case seared into the public consciousness. It is a case that you might think you know all about—but believe me, you don’t know the half of it…”