American Crime Story is back for a second season, and while the first installment of the true-crime anthology series centered on the O.J. Simpson trial, this time a serial killer and a fashion designer take center stage. The Assassination of Gianni Versace follows the stories of the Italian fashion mogul and the young spree killer who murdered him on the steps of Versace’s Miami mansion in the summer of 1997.
The story probably rings a bell, but the details are surely less memorable than those of the O.J. trial. Viewers all had preconceived notions of Marcia Clark and Johnny Cochran, but can you name any of the four people Andrew Cunanan murdered before he got to Versace? Did you even know there were other victims?
As a primer, here’s a look at some of the major characters who will appear in season 2 of American Crime Story.
SPOILER WARNING: This article contains details about the real-life people and events portrayed in the limited series, which may be viewed as spoilers if you’re unfamiliar with the murder spree of Andrew Cunanan.
Darren Criss as Andrew Cunanan
The Glee stars plays spree killer Andrew Cunanan. In 1997 he killed five people, including fashion designer Gianni Versace. He was on the FBI’s Top 10 Most Wanted List. He was gay and lived a lavish lifestyle by befriending older, wealthy, closeted gay men.
Edgar Ramirez as Gianni Versace
The Emmy-nominated actor plays world-renowned fashion designer Gianni Versace, whose name became synonymous with high-end fashion. He was murdered in front of his Miami home in 1997.
Penelope Cruz as Donatella Versace
The Oscar winner plays Donatella, Gianni’s devoted sister who took over the company following his death.
Ricky Martin as Antonio D’Amico
The singer plays Antonio, Gianni’s long-time lover and partner for 15 years who was living with him at the time of the murder and found the body.
Max Greenfield as Ronnie
The New Girl star plays Ronnie, an HIV-positive addict who befriends Andrew during his two-month stay in Miami prior to the assassination of Gianni Versace.
Dascha Polanco as Detective Lori Wieder
The actress best known for playing Daya on Netflix’s Orange Is the New Black plays a Miami detective working the case of Versace’s murder.
Finn Wittrock as Jeff Trail
The American Horror Story alum plays Jeff, one of Andrew’s friends and a former U.S. Navy officer. He was also Andrew’s first victim.
Cody Fern as David Madson
Fern plays David Madson, a Minneapolis architect who was Andrew’s lover and became his second victim.
Judith Light as Marilyn Miglin
Light, best known for her work on Transparent and Who’s the Boss?, plays Marilyn Miglin, a successful businesswoman known as the Queen of Perfume. She was the wife of Lee Miglin, a prominent Chicago real estate tycoon who became Andrew’s third victim.
Are you excited for the new season of American Crime Story?
The Assassination of Gianni Versace premieres Wednesday, January 17 at 10/9c on FX. For more TV news, like BuddyTV’s Facebook page.
(Images courtesy of FX)
Senior Writer, BuddyTV
John watches nearly every show on TV, but he specializes in sci-fi/fantasy like The Vampire Diaries, Supernatural and True Blood. However, he can also be found writing about everything from Survivor and Glee to One Tree Hill and Smallville.
