⭐8.4
Description: The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story is a limited series that takes you inside the O.J. Simpson trial with a riveting look at the legal teams battling to convict or acquit the football legend of double homicide. Based on the book The Run of His Life: The People v. O.J. Simpson by Jeffrey Toobin, it explores the chaotic behind-the-scenes dealings and maneuvering on both sides of the court, and how a combination of prosecution overconfidence, defense shrewdness, and the LAPD’s history with the city’s African-American community gave a jury what it needed: reasonable doubt.
Creators: Scott Alexander, Larry Karaszewski, Tom Rob Smith
Stars: Sarah Paulson, Annaleigh Ashford, Sterling K. Brown
Taglines: The trial isn’t the whole story. This is.
Trivia
- During an appearance on The View (1997), real-life prosecutor Marcia Clark disclosed that, though she found the experience of watching season one in general quite painful on reflection, she was truly honored to see how well Sarah Paulson portrayed her. She was also very complimentary of producer Ryan Murphy for underscoring the extent of the sexism that she had experienced throughout the trial.
- Cuba Gooding Jr. admitted that playing O.J. Simpson in season one of the series was a disturbing experience, and it took him a month after filming wrapped to feel free of the role.
- Sarah Paulson smoked real cigarettes, despite being a non-smoker, as she was strongly dedicated to accurately portraying Marcia Clark. She was so determined to stay in character that she even wore the same perfume “Magie Noire” as Clark.
- Although the real Christopher Darden did not wish to participate in or be contacted about season one, he said he was proud of Sterling K. Brown for winning the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie and of his own interpretation of “the character.”
- Much of the actual material evidence for season one was strictly off-limits to the production, including Mark Fuhrman’s tapes and details of conversations between the lawyers.
- Sarah Paulson refused to watch the first season in which she played Marcia Clark. During her acceptance after winning the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie, Paulson publicly apologized to Clark for judging her based on the media’s portrayal of her and had Clark’s name engraved on the Emmy.
- Sterling K. Brown, who won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie for playing prosecutor Christopher Darden in season one, made many attempts to contact him and even accidentally called his cell phone at 3 am thinking it was a work number. However, Darden did not wish to take part in the series. Brown then contacted Darden’s daughter instead, who was happy to help.