How to watch Ryan Murphy’s new show ‘The Shards’ for free: Release date, cast

Hot, rich, dangerous.

Ryan Murphy returns to FX tonight, Aug. 5, with a brand new series: “The Shards.”

Based on the novel of the same name by Bret Easton Ellis (who also penned “American Psycho,” among others), “The Shards” is a work of “autofiction” — it blends fictional plots with real elements from Ellis’ upbringing.

To that end, Igby Rigney stars as Ellis. The series is set in 1981 at The Buckley School, an elite prep school in the San Fernando Valley where Ellis actually went.

Like the real Ellis, the main character is a privileged teenager deeply immersed in the L.A. music and social scene while trying to draft his early writing projects (a novel that would eventually become “Less Than Zero”).

Igby Rigney plays a fictionalized version of Bret Easton Ellis in “The Shards.” ©FX Networks/Courtesy Everett Collection

The real-life similarities end there, though, as the show’s central plot — about a new student’s arrival coinciding with the activities of a serial killer known as The Trawler — did not actually happen to Ellis.

In addition to Rigney, the show’s main cast includes Wes Bentley, Kaia Gerber and Homer Gere.

‘The Shards’ FX release date: When does ‘The Shards’ come out?

“The Shards” comes out tonight, Aug. 5, at 9 p.m. ET on FX and Hulu. Two new episodes will air back-to-back.

How to watch ‘The Shards’ for free

One way to watch “The Shards” live without cable is by using a live TV streaming service.

DIRECTV is our favorite service for watching TV live for free. Right now, you can take advantage of a five-day free trial before payment kicks in. We recommend the MyEntertainment Genre Pack ($42.99/month), which includes Bravo as part of its 60+ entertainment-focused channels.

You can also stream “The Shards” on Hulu. The basic (with ads) plan is $11.99/month. If you want to upgrade to Hulu ad-free, it costs $18.99/month.

‘The Shards’ episodes

“The Shards” premieres tonight with two episodes. Here’s when you can expect to see new episodes on FX and Hulu.

• Episode 1: “Pilot” – Aug. 5
• Episode 2: “Don’t You Want Me” – Aug. 5
• Episode 3: “Help Me! Rhonda!” – Aug. 12
• Episode 4: “Robert’s Party” – Aug. 12
• Episode 5: “Murder on the Dancefloor” – Aug. 19
• Episode 6: “Homecoming Part One” – Aug. 26
• Episode 7: “Homecoming Part Two” – Aug. 26
• Episode 8: “Hamlet” – Sept. 2

‘The Shards’ cast

Igby Rigney stars as 17-year-old Bret Easton Ellis. Homer Gere, Graham Campbell, Hayes Warner, Wes Bentley and Kaia Gerber round out the main cast of “The Shards.”

©FX Networks/Courtesy Everett Collection

Evan Rachel Wood, Jordan Roth, Owen Painter and Daniel Dale round out the cast in recurring roles.

‘The Shards’ trailer

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This article was written by Angela Tricarico, Commerce Streaming Reporter for the New York Post, Page Six, and Decider. Angela keeps readers up to date with information on how to watch all of your favorite reality TV shows and movies on each streaming service. Not only does Angela test and compare the streaming services she writes about to ensure readers are getting the best prices, but she’s also a superfan specializing in the intersection of shopping, tech, sports, celebrities and pop culture. Prior to joining The Post in 2023, she wrote about streaming and consumer tech at Insider Reviews