Producer Ryan Murphy is adding another anthology series to his collection at FX. Joining his “American Horror Story” and “American Crime Story” is the new series “Feud,” which will delve into some of history’s most famous conflicts.
The cable TV network gave “Feud” a straight-to-series order of eight episodes. The show is backed by Fox 21 TV Studios and Brad Pitt’s Plan B Entertainment. Pitt will executive produce along with Murphy. The two previously collaborated on the 2014 HBO movie “The Normal Heart.”
The first season of “Feud” will dig into the notorious rivalry between Hollywood divas Joan Crawford and Bette Davis and how they came together for the critically acclaimed 1962 cult classic “What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?” despite their hatred for one another. “American Horror Story” alum Jessica Lange, re-teaming with Murphy, will play Crawford, and Susan Sarandon will portray Davis. Alfred Molina, Stanley Tucci, Judy Davis and Dominic Burgess are also featured in the star-studded cast.
“Ryan revolutionized the modern anthology with the ‘American Horror Story’ and ‘American Crime Story’ franchises, and he’s come up with another gem in ‘Feud,’” Fox Television Group Chairmen and CEOs Dana Walden and Gary Newman said. “With Jessica and Susan headlining, it’s already sure to be as flawlessly acted, wildly entertaining and fiercely provocative. It’s a fantastic project which only Ryan Murphy could deliver.”
“Ryan keeps re-inventing TV,” FX CEO John Landgraf added. “‘Nip/Tuck’ brilliantly extended the boundaries of ad supported television. ‘Glee’ re-imagined the television musical. ‘American Horror Story’ pioneered the modern anthological series, which has rapidly transformed the television landscape and been widely copied. ‘The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story’ was recognized by many as the best and most talked about new show this year. And all of those shows have been award-winning ratings hits. ‘Feud’ adds a third and equally ambitious franchise to Ryan’s unprecedented slate of FX anthological limited series, and marks our third such collaboration with studio partner 20th Century Fox Television/Fox 21. The series will offer a seductive, insightful look at what lies behind legendary personality conflicts.”
Murphy will direct several episodes of the series, which is based on the Jaffe Cohen and Michael Zam script “Best Actress.” “Feud” will begin shooting in the fall for an expected 2017 FX premiere.
