Search found 152 matches for ACSVERSACE

I'm so proud of you!!!!

— ALEX (@alexdcn) July 13, 2018

roguemagazine: In honor of @darrencriss being nominated for the Best Actor Emmy today, here’s an unreleased shot from his feature for @roguemagazine’s Summer Issue N°9, link in bio.  Photography by @josephsinclair  Styling by @krishanparmar_  Hair by @naradkutowaroo  Makeup by @laurengriffinmua  Written by @jackiefern #darrencriss #assasinationofgianniversace #americancrimestory #versace

naradkutowaroo: D A R R E N @darrencriss for @roguemagazine Such a fun day with this hero! Congratulations on the nomination for best actor!#photographer @josephsinclair #styling @krishanparmar_ #mua @laurengriffinmua #hair by me using @unite_hair @go247 #darrencriss #theassassinationofgianniversace #glee #singer #actor #magazine #americancrimestory #london #east #bestactor #emmys

Television Academy wrote:
Total nomination count: 18 + 1 (Short form nonfiction counts as its own program)
[b]
Outstanding Limited Series
[/b]
Outstanding Lead Actor In A Limited Series Or Movie
Darren Criss

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Limited Series Or Movie
Ricky Martin
Edgar Ramirez
Finn Wittrock

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Limited Series Or Movie
Penelope Cruz
Judith Light

Outstanding Directing For A Limited Series, Movie Or Dramatic Special
Ryan Murphy
The Man Who Would Be Vogue

Outstanding Writing For A Limited Series, Movie Or Dramatic Special
Tom Rob Smith

Outstanding Casting For A Limited Series, Movie Or Special

Outstanding Contemporary Costumes
The Man Who Would Be Vogue

Outstanding Hairstyling For A Limited Series Or Movie

Chris Clark, Department Head Hairstylist Natalie Driscoll, Key Hairstylist
Shay Sanford-Fong, Additional Hairstylist Helena Cepeda, Additional Hairstylist

Outstanding Makeup For A Limited Series Or Movie (Non-Prosthetic)

Eryn Krueger Mekash, Department Head Makeup Artist Robin Beauchesne, Department Head Makeup Artist Silvina Knight, Makeup Artist
David Williams, Makeup Artist
Ana Lozano, Makeup Artist
Tym Buacharern, Makeup Artist

Outstanding Prosthetic Makeup For A Series, Limited Series, Movie Or Special

Eryn Krueger Mekash, Department Head Makeup Artist
Michael Mekash, Special Makeup Effects Assistant Department Head Silvina Knight, Makeup Effects Artist
Robin Beauchesne, Makeup Effects Artist
David Leroy Anderson, Prosthetic Designer
Glen Eisner, Prosthetic Designer

Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing For A Limited Series Or Movie

Emily Greene
Alone
Shelly Westerman
House By The Lake
Chi-Yoon Chung
Manhunt

Outstanding Sound Mixing For A Limited Series Or Movie
The Man Who Would Be Vogue

Outstanding Short Form Nonfiction or Reality Series
The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story: America’s Obsessions
In this behind-the-scenes series of The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story: America’s Obsessions, the cast and creators discuss making the show and exploring the deeper themes that expose America’s darker fixations.

Entertainment Weekly wrote:
Emmys 2018: Nominees react

July 12, 2018

The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story (Outstanding Limited Series)

Ryan Murphy (creator)

“Of course it’s thrilling to see this series attract so much recognition, and I am forever grateful to Tom Rob Smith for his brilliant take, to my producing partners Nina Jacobson, Brad Simpson and Brad Falchuk for their collaboration and friendship, and to our talented cast who breathed such humanity into these characters. This was a heartbreaking story to tell, made more so by the fact that we continue as a culture to grapple with homophobia and shame and intolerance.”

Darren Criss (Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie)

“Zorro, Dr. Strange, Harry Dunne, Todd Alquist, and Jesus Christ… pretty incredible company to keep. Humbled by your talent, Antonio Banderas, Benedict Cumberbatch, Jeff Daniels, Jesse Plemons, John Legend. I’m such a fan. Congrats! What an honor, Television Academy. Thank you so much. Truly. Wow. And a huge congrats to my fellow cast and crew of The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story! Ryan Murphy does it again!”

Penelope Cruz (Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Limited Series Or Movie)

“What a great honor to be nominated alongside this incredible group of women. I am very grateful to the Television Academy, to Ryan Murphy and our amazing cast and crew.  Donatella Versace is someone I really respect and admire and stepping into her shoes was a very inspiring adventure for me.”

Judith Light (Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Limited Series Or Movie)

“My deepest thanks to the Emmy voters and of course, the brilliant Ryan Murphy for the gift of being a part of this culture changing  production; thanks to Brad Simpson, Nina Jacobsen, the crew, cast, hair, makeup, wardrobe, Tom Rob Smith for his remarkable script, Gwyneth Horder Payton and Dan Minahan for their glorious direction. My gratitude to all of them and FX is beyond words or measure.”

Tom Rob Smith (Outstanding Writing For A Limited Series, Movie Or Dramatic Special)

“This nomination is an extraordinary honor. Participating with the extraordinary team behind Americans Crime Story has been one of the highlights of my career. I owe Ryan Murphy, Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson a great deal. And FX are the best partners a writer could dream of having. I’m so thrilled.”

Édgar Ramírez (Outstanding Supporting Actor in A Limited Series Or Movie)

“I am so touched by this nomination . Portraying Gianni Versace, has been one of the most transformative experiences of my life, and I am so happy, so proud and so grateful for the enormous recognition the show has received. I am so humbled to share this joy and honor with such talented artists, who are more than friends, they are now my family.”

Ricky Martin (Outstanding Supporting Actor in A Limited Series Or Movie)

“I am beyond humbled and so honored to be nominated in this category along with Edgar Ramirez and the other amazing actors in my category. This recognition from my peers is the highest honor I could dream of. I am grateful to Ryan Murphy and the whole FX team.”

Finn Wittrock (Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie)

“I am so honored to be nominated today. I owe a great debt to Ryan Murphy and I would like to express a big congrats to my fellow nominees, especially my co-stars from American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace.  I’m thrilled to be sharing this category with such a talented group of actors.”

edgarramirez25: Besides the hideous crimes and the unjustifiable homophobia underlaying at their very core, The Assassination of Gianni Versace was also a story about families. Families that couldn’t overcome their frustrations and shortcomings and ended up hurting and damaging each other…and also Families that stuck together and protected each other when life was throwing punches at them from all angles. The one thing I can attest for sure after having had the  the privilege of portraying Gianni Versace, is that “family was everything” for him. So today, on this joyous day, I celebrate sharing the honor of this nomination with all of these indescribably talented artists who, more than the dearest of friends, are now my own family. Thank you all and congratulations for such an amazing work. 18 #Emmy Nominations, wow! Thank you so much @televisionacad for this honorable recognition! I am so proud of my family! #emmyawards #acsversace Más allá de los horrendos crímenes y la injustificable homofobia subyacente en ellos, el asesinato de Gianni Versace también es una historia de familias. Familias que fueron incapaces de superar sus frustraciones y carencias y terminaron lastimándose y dañándose unos a otros … y familias que se mantuvieron unidas y se protegieron mutuamente cuando la vida les golpeaba desde todos los frentes. Lo único que puedo asegurar después de tener el el privilegio de interpretar a Gianni Versace, es que “la familia lo era todo” para él. Así que en este día feliz, celebro enormemente compartir el honor de esta nominación con todos estos artistas de talento indescriptible que hoy, más que entrañables amigos, son mi familia. Gracias a todos y felicidades por este maravilloso trabajo. 18 nominaciones a los Emmy, ¡guau! ¡Qué orgulloso estoy de mi familia! Muchas ¡Los quiero muchísimo a todos!

penelopecruzoficial: Congratulations @darrencriss @edgarramirez25 @ricky_martin I love my buddies!!!! Felicidades!!!

edouardholdener: So excited about this!! Congrats to everyone that worked on ACS, and especially @mrrpmurphy and @darrencriss !!

Congrats to the cast and crew of The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story on their Emmy nomination for Outstanding Limited Series. #ACSVersace #Emmys

The Hollywood Reporter wrote:
Feinberg Forecast: First Post-Nominations Read of the 70th Emmys Race

July 12, 2018

The charts below — which will be updated every Monday between now and the 70th Emmy Awards on Sept. 17 — reflect how THR's awards columnist Scott Feinberg believes the standings would look if voting ended today. These projections are formulated using a combination of personal impressions (from sampling many shows), historical considerations (how shows with similar pedigrees have resonated), precursor awards (some groups have historically correlated with the TV Academy more than others) and consultations with industry insiders (including voters, content creators, awards strategists and fellow members of the press).

[. . .]

Best Limited Series

PROJECTED ORDER OF FINISH

The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story (FX)
Godless (Netflix)
Patrick Melrose (Showtime)
Genius: Picasso (National Geographic)
The Alienist (TNT)


Best Actor in a Limited Series or a Television Movie

PROJECTED ORDER OF FINISH

Darren Criss (The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story)
John Legend (Jesus Christ Superstar)
Antonio Banderas (Genius: Picasso)
Benedict Cumberbatch (Patrick Melrose) — podcast
Jeff Daniels (The Looming Tower) — podcast
Jesse Plemons (Black Mirror: USS Callister) — podcast


Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or a Television Movie

PROJECTED ORDER OF FINISH

Jeff Daniels (Godless) — podcast
Edgar Ramirez (The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story)
Brandon Victor Dixon (Jesus Christ Superstar)
Michael Stuhlbarg (The Looming Tower)
Ricky Martin (The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story)
Finn Wittrock (The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story)
John Leguizamo (Waco)


Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or a Television Movie

PROJECTED NOMINEES

Merritt Wever (Godless)
Penelope Cruz (The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story)
Judith Light (The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story)
Sara Bareilles (Jesus Christ Superstar)
Adina Porter (American Horror Story: Cult)
Letitia Wright (Black Mirror: Black Museum)

Consequences of Sound wrote:
Emmys: Who Will Win, Who Should Win, and Who Got Snubbed

July 12, 2018


OUTSTANDING LIMITED SERIES

The Alienist
The Assassination Of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
Genius: Picasso
Godless
Patrick Melrose

What should win: The Assassination Of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story (or, really, Twin Peaks: The Return)
What will win: The Assassination Of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story

The Assassination Of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story is easily the most high-profile show among these nominees, and almost certainly the winner as well. It’s a well-deserving choice, even if it’s frustrating that this category is lacking in stiff competition. The biggest snub here is definitely Twin Peaks: The Return, which might have proved just a little too out-there for Emmy voters. Still, it’s bizarre to see that high-profile series ignored over less-discussed shows like Godless, The Alienist, Patrick Melrose, and Genius: Picasso. But we’ll try not to hold that against Versace when it takes home the award.

If we voted: An even bigger mystery than “who drew the dicks?” is “why did American Vandal get so little love from Emmy voters?” We would’ve loved to see that wonderfully original series nominated along with The Terror, Alias Grace, and of course, Twin Peaks: The Return.  —Caroline Siede

OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR – LIMITED SERIES/TV MOVIE

Antonio Banderas, Genius: Picasso
Darren Criss, The Assassination Of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
Benedict Cumberbatch, Patrick Melrose
Jeff Daniels, The Looming Tower
John Legend, Jesus Christ Superstar Live In Concert
Jesse Plemons, “USS Callister” (Black Mirror)

What should win: Darren Criss, The Assassination Of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
What will win: Darren Criss, The Assassination Of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story

It can be hard to be the runaway favorite in a category. Darren Criss’ inevitable win feels a little unexciting at this point, even though he’s more than deserving of the award. He delivered a truly captivating performance as serial killer Andrew Cunanan, flipping from charming to terrifying at the drop of a hat (or the drop of a bag of concrete). But the biggest story here is a snub: Where’s Kyle MacLachlan?!? MacLachlan’s multi-faceted performance on Twin Peaks: The Return definitely deserved some love from Emmy voters. On the other hand, we’re thrilled to see John Legend recognized for his soulful turn as Jesus Christ in Jesus Christ Superstar Live In Concert. Long live the live musical, and long live Agent Dale Cooper!

If we voted: In addition to MacLachlan, we would’ve loved to see a little more love for the Paramount Network’s Waco. Both Taylor Kitsch and Michael Shannon gave great performances in the little-seen miniseries about the Waco siege against David Koresh and his Branch Davidians. —Caroline Siede

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS – LIMITED SERIES/TV MOVIE

Sara Bareilles, Jesus Christ Superstar: Live in Concert
Penelope Cruz, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
Judith Light, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
Adina Porter, American Horror Story: Cult
Merritt Weaver, Godless
Letitia Wright, Black Museum (Black Mirror)

Who should win: Judith Light, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
Who will win: Penélope Cruz, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story

This category is an embarrassment of riches, and depending on how potential sweeps start shaping up, it could go many ways. Given the Emmys’ past love for American Crime Story, and Penélope Cruz’s strong performance as Donatella Versace, she’s likely to walk away with the award. A more interesting choice would be Judith Light, for the less flashy but equally compelling role of Marilyn Miglin. Light is gripping as Miglin, and the intensity of her performance helps pivot the series from its glitzier early episodes to its increasingly darker, more devastating later run.

If we voted: It boggles the mind that industry darling and Emmy fave Laura Dern wasn’t nominated for her work as Diane on Twin Peaks: The Return. Julia Ormond and Rebecca Liddiard were also great this year in Howards End and Alias Grace, respectively, but come on, guys. Laura Dern! —Kate Kulzick

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR – LIMITED SERIES/TV MOVIE

Jeff Daniels, Godless
Brandon Victor Dixon, Jesus Christ Superstar: Live in Concert
John Leguizamo, Waco
Ricky Martin, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
Edgar Ramirez, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
Michael Stuhlbarg, The Looming Tower
Finn Wittrock, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story

Who should win: Brandon Victor Dixon, Jesus Christ Superstar: Live in Concert
Who will win: Edgar Ramirez, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story

I mean, did you even see JCS Live? Brandon Victor Dixon’s Judas blew John Legend out of the water with every sequined tank top, black leather vest, and wailing high note he could muster. He’s already a Tony-caliber performer, so it’s thrilling to see his considerable talents translated to the small screen in equally exuberant ways. Still, we think Edgar Ramirez’s small but mighty turn as Gianni Versace in American Crime Story (and his higher profile as an actor) might win out in the end.

If we voted: Since we’re committed to our heartfelt stan for Twin Peaks: The Return, we’d like to remind you that the late, great Harry Dean Stanton was in it, and he sang a lovely blues song, and that should make you very happy. —Clint Worthington

Indiewire wrote:
Sandra Oh’s ‘Killing Eve’ Emmy Nod Isn’t the Only Important Asian Nomination to Celebrate

July 12, 2018

Oh isn’t the only significant Asian representation among the nominees though. Darren Criss, who is half Filipino, snagged a nomination for playing killer Andrew Cunanan, who in real life was also half-Filipino, in “The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story” on FX. This is his first individual acting Emmy nomination. He previously had a nod as a singer/songwriter on “Glee.”

Criss released the following statement on Twitter regarding his nomination: “Zorro, Dr. Strange, Harry Dunne, Todd Alquist, and Jesus Christ… pretty incredible company to keep. Humbled by your talent, Antonio Banderas, Benedict Cumberbatch, Jeff Daniels, Jesse Plemons, John Legend. I’m such a fan. Congrats! What an honor, Television Academy. Thank you so much. Truly. Wow. And a huge congrats to my fellow cast and crew of The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story! Ryan Murphy does it again!”

Either win would make great strides for Asian representation, especially in the acting categories. Only two Asian actors have won previously: Riz Ahmed in 2017 for his leading role in “The Night Of” and Archie Panjabi for her supporting role in “The Good Wife” in 2010.

TV Guide wrote:
2018 Emmy Nominations by the Numbers

July 12, 2018

1: Confirmed number of amazing butts among nominees (Darren Criss)

38: People of color nominated for Emmys in major categories, which more than doubles last year: Sterling K. Brown and Ron Cephas Jones, This Is Us; Tracee Ellis Ross, Anthony Anderson and Wanda Sykes, black-ish; Donald Glover, Zazie Beetz, Katt Williams and Brian Tyree Henry, Atlanta; Leslie Jones, Kenan Thompson, Tiffany Haddish, Saturday Night Live; Tituss Burgess,Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt; Jeffrey Wright and Thandie Newton,Westworld; Samira Wiley and Kelly Jenrette, The Handmaid’s Tale; Regina King, Seven Seconds; RuPaul Charles, Drag Race; W. Kamau Bell, United Shades of America: With W. Kamau Bell; Issa Rae, Insecure; Sandra Oh, Killing Eve; Trevor Noah, Daily Show; Antonio Banderas, Genius: Picasso; Penelope Cruz, Ricky Martin, Darren Criss and Edgar Ramirez, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story;Brandon Victor Dixon and John Legend, Jesus Christ Superstar; Cicely Tyson, How to Get Away with Murder; Viola Davis, Scandal; Adina Porter, American Horror Story: Cult; Letitia Wright, Black Mirror; Maya Rudolph, The Good Place; Lin-Manuel Miranda, Curb Your Enthusiasm; John Leguizamo, Waco

6: Number of Latinx performers nominated, including Antonio Banderas, Penelope Cruz, Edgar Ramirez, Ricky Martin, John Leguizamo and Lin-Manuel Miranda

1: Number of Asian actors nominated (Sandra Oh). C'mon TV, do better!



[. . .]

The 70th Primetime Emmy Awards will air Monday, Sept. 17 at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT on NBC.

ABS-CBN wrote:
Fil-Am actor Darren Criss earns Emmy nomination for serial killer role

July 13, 2018


His role in the TV drama “The Assassination of Gianni Versace” as a serial killer has been a big hit with audience and critics.

Now, Filipino-American actor Darren Criss has received an acting nomination for an Emmy, perhaps the highest honor in TV, it was revealed late Thursday (Philippine time).

This is the first Emmy acting nod for Criss, whose mother is from Cebu. He was nominated in 2015 in the outstanding original music category for a song he wrote for “Glee.”

In his new show, Criss plays Andrew Cunanan, the half-Filipino murderer notorious for killing five men, including famous fashion Gianni Versace, in 1997.

It has drawn positive reviews from critics, with the New York Times’ Margaret Lyons describing his performance as “impressive and haunting” in spite of her tamed views on the show overall.

TV Guide called him “magnificent,” while USA Today praised him for bringing the spree killer to life with “disturbing energy and commitment,” just to name some of the reviews.

Deadline wrote:
‘The Assassination Of Gianni Versace’ Stars Reflect On Emmy Nominations: TV Academy “Voted For Justice”

July 12, 2018

"How am I doing? I don’t even know how I’m doing. I’m on fire, man. What can I say?” Ricky Martin told Deadline today, after receiving his first ever Emmy nomination for Ryan Murphy’s FX series The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story. Picking up their own nominations amongst the series’ 18 overall nods, Versace stars Edgar Ramírez, Darren Criss and Finn Wittrock seemed to share Martin’s sense of excited bewilderment.

Documenting the murder of the titular fashion icon (Ramírez) at the hands of spree killer Andrew Cunanan (Criss), the latest installment of Murphy’s true crime anthology series was a dream project for those involved. “It’s a difficult thing to say because obviously [Cunanan] is a very tragic figure. I’d like to think that if I was in any position to have stopped the horrible things that happened, if I was there, I would have tried to do something,” Criss explained of his thinking in portraying an infamous real-life killer. “But unfortunately I wasn’t there. So all I could do is try to bring a kind of positivity to this darkness by telling a story in a certain way, raising certain questions that we can ask 20 years later about not only him, but ourselves and our society.”

“Regardless of awards season, this is an opportunity that I have worked and waited for my entire life. Actors are really only as good as the parts they can get, and the people that believe in them, and the complexity of the characters that they’re playing,” Criss added with reference to his troubled character, who finds himself at the center of the series—more so than Versace himself. “The thing that makes Andrew interesting is not the stuff that is dark or scary or uncomfortable; it’s the breadth of colors that exists on his palette. That’s what actors really crave.”

Like Criss, Martin was happy to see some light come out of the darkness of Versace and Cunanan’s experience. “Today, I realized that my peers in The Academy voted for justice — because at the end of the day, this is what the story was about,” he said. “It’s focused on the justice that is needed [following] this horrible crime. This is the way I see it, period.”

For the actors of Versace, portraying real-life figures was a challange. “As happens every time you play a real-life person, [the challenge] is not to yield before the pressure of playing someone that a lot of people knew—especially someone like Gianni whose work was so impactful,” Ramírez said. “Playing a real-life character, it’s not about imitating. It’s not a photograph—it’s a painting.”

While Criss contemplated the psyche of a killer—attempting to manifest all of Cunanan’s complexity—Martin gave himself up to the darkness D’Amico experienced following the death of Versace. “We walked on set every day extremely vulnerable, but at the same time, we all felt protected because we were being directed by Ryan, and by an amazing group of directors,” he said. “It just felt right.”

Celebrating the success of Versace, each of the series’ stars tipped their hat to its mastermind, Ryan Murphy, discussing what makes him so unique and vital as a storyteller. “He works harder than anyone else in the business and continues to keep a group of people around him who are continually impressive. With every new project, you’re going to be challenged in a new way and surprised,” Wittrock said.

Added Criss, who also worked with Murphy on Glee, “He really gravitates towards sides of the story that we wouldn’t typically hear, or haven’t heard in the past. He finds what’s not only most accessible about those stories, but as a showrunner and a showman, he knows how to make those things attractive.”

Congrats Darren! You absolutely deserve it!

— Zedrick Restauro (@ZedrickRestauro) July 12, 2018

Slate wrote:
Sandra Oh’s and Darren Criss’ Historic Emmy Noms Show the Two Ways to Diversify Casting

By Inkoo Kang

July 12, 2018


Darren Criss and Sandra Oh
Photo illustration by Slate.  Photos by Claudio Lavenia/Getty Images and Noam Galai/Getty Images.

On Thursday, Sandra Oh became the first actress of Asian descent to garner an Emmy nomination for best lead actress in a drama while Darren Criss became the second actor of Asian descent to earn an Emmy nod for best lead actor in a limited series or TV movie. Best known for her decade on Grey’s Anatomy, Oh was honored for her critically acclaimed performance as disgraced MI5 detective Eve Polastri in BBC America’s Killing Eve. A supporting player on Glee, Criss delivered a star turn as spree killer Andrew Cunanan in FX’s American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace.

Should these actors take home the award on Sept. 17—Criss is widely considered one of the front-runners in his category, whereas Oh will have to build on her momentum to prevail against five returning nominees, including 2017 winner Elisabeth Moss—they would become only the third and fourth acting Emmy winners of Asian descent, after Riz Ahmed for The Night Of in 2017 and Archie Panjabi for The Good Wife in 2010.

The serendipitous pairing of Oh’s and Criss’ roles also suggests that initiatives toward inclusiveness in Hollywood should be two-pronged: through colorblind casting when it comes to characters whose stories aren’t about their race (as was the case with Oh’s Polastri), as well as through stories specific to the Asian American experience (such as that of the half-Filipino Cunanan, who suffered racial discrimination within the gay community).

These record-breaking achievements are all the more poignant for arriving one day after news broke that a movie studio intends to make a fictionalized version of the Thai cave rescue as “a major Hollywood film with A-list stars”—a phrase that has previously served as a justification for whitewashing stories. Criss’ and Oh’s performances illustrate that acting talent among performers of Asian descent is out there—but won’t be given a chance to reveal itself without the opportunities necessary to create new A-listers.

GMA wrote:
Darren Criss earns lead actor Emmy nod for ‘Assassination of Gianni Versace’

July 13, 2018

Fil-Am actor Darren Criss’ heartbreaking, gut-wrenching performance as Filipino serial killer Andrew Cunanan has earned him a well-deserved Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie.

FX’s true crime dramatization, “The Assassination of Gianni Versace”, led the limited series category with 18 nominations. It will be competing against “The Alienist”, “Genius: Picasso”, “Godless”, and “Patrick Melrose” for Outstanding Limited Series.

This is Criss’ first Emmy nomination for acting. He will be up against Antonio Banderas (“Genius: Picasso”), Benedict Cumberbatch (“Patrick Melrose”), Jeff Daniels (“The Looming Tower”), John Legend (“Jesus Christ Superstar”), and Jesse Plemons (Black Mirror: USS Callister).

Criss fleshed out in the small screen the troubled mind of Cunanan, who went on a horrific murder spree that ended with the death of legendary fashion designer Gianni Versace.

Cunanan killed at least five people before taking his own life to evade arrest.

Darren Criss nominated for Emmy for role in “The Assassination of Gianni Versace”
TFCBalitangAmerica July 13, 2018

Fil-Am actor Darren Criss earns an Emmy nomination for his role in the TV drama “The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story.”

In his new show, Criss plays Andrew Cunanan, the half-Filipino murderer notorious for killing five men, including famous fashion Gianni Versace, in 1997.

Balitang America wrote:
Darren Criss nominated for Emmy for role in “The Assassination of Gianni Versace”

July 14, 2018

Fil-Am actor Darren Criss earns an Emmy nomination for his role in the TV drama “The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story.”

This is the first Emmy acting nod for Criss, whose mother is from Cebu. He was nominated in 2015 in the outstanding original music category for a song he wrote for “Glee.”

In his new show, Criss plays Andrew Cunanan, the half-Filipino murderer notorious for killing five men, including famous fashion Gianni Versace, in 1997.

If Criss nabs the award, this would be the first time a Fil-Am would win in the lead actor, limited series or movie category.

The Emmy awards ceremony takes place in Los Angeles on September 17.

Entertainment Weekly wrote:
Emmys 2018: Facts and surprises about this year's nominees

July 14, 2018

Darren Criss, Assassination of Gianni Versace, Best Actor in a Limited Series or Movie

Criss earned his first-ever acting nomination for his work as the chilling serial killer Andrew Cunanan on the FX crime drama. However, he has actually been nominated for an Emmy before — for helping to pen an original song on the final season of Glee in 2015. Criss is only the second actor of Asian descent to earn a nomination in this category. The first was Riz Ahmed who made history when he won for The Night Of last year.

‘Assassination of Gianni Versace’ delves into the mind of a killer — and societal prejudice | 20 June 2018

Consequence of Sound wrote:
Assassination of Gianni Versace Proves Two Things: Darren Criss Is a Star, and Ryan Murphy Can Pick ‘Em

January 18, 2018

But now hear this: It can never be said that Ryan Murphy’s loyalty to actors, and theirs to him, has not paid dividends. . .

Now it’s going to make a star of Darren Criss, and Darren Criss in turn makes The Assassination of Gianni Versace a piece of can’t-miss television. His isn’t the only great performance in the second go-round of American Crime Story, but it’s the best and also the most surprising. It’s well past time to call it like it is: Ryan Murphy’s single greatest strength as an artist is his work with actors. He can spot them, nurture great performances from them, earn and retain their loyalty, and identify precisely when to throw them into the role most likely to show them at their best. He did it with Lange. He did it with Paulson. And now, he’s doing it with Blaine the Warbler from Glee.

Like most of Murphy’s recent work, The Assassination of Gianni Versace is every inch an ensemble piece, but only the second season of American Horror Story rivals this outing for the sheer, magnetic pull of one character and performance. Criss’ work as spree killer Andrew Cunanan is so good that it’s perhaps fairest to talk about literally everything else first.

As the Versace siblings, Edgar Ramírez and Penélope Cruz sit on either side of a seesaw so that when one is volatile, the other is vulnerable; when one is triumphant, the other recedes. They’re both excellent, equal parts charismatic and fragile. In the eight episodes provided to critics, Judith Light only seizes the spotlight once, but in that episode, which centers on Marilyn and Lee Miglin, she’s predictably terrific; newcomer Cody Fern is similarly great and with a heavier load. The writing, primarily by Tom Rob Smith (from Maureen Orth’s book Vulgar Favors), doesn’t dazzle in quite the way that the previous American Crime Story did, but the highs are every bit as high. It’s beautifully shot, tensely edited, and cleverly structured.

It is, in short, a good show, but it centers on a great performance. The show begins with Andrew Cunanan’s murder of Gianni Versace and slowly moves backwards, first tracing the path Cunanan took to Miami Beach and the lives he took along the way, then going back further to look at the young man who became a killer and the boy who became that young man. As a result, we see his lies get better, which get borrowed from someone else, and which turn out to be at least a little bit true. We watch his detachment dwindle. We watch as he checks off, like items on a grocery list, the personas he rattles off in this unsettling little speech from an early episode in the series:

“I’m a banker. I’m a stockbroker. I’m a shareholder, I’m a paperback writer, I’m a cop. I’m a naval officer. Sometimes I’m a spy! I build movie sets in Mexico and skyscrapers in Chicago, I sell propane in Minneapolis. I import pineapples from the Philippines. You know, I’m the person least likely to be forgotten.”

Then the screen cuts to black, and he adds one more to that laundry list: “I’m Andrew Cunanan.”

It’s one of the most chilling, upsetting line-readings in recent memory. Three words uttered in darkness, somehow hugely loaded. They’re truthful and ring with that truthfulness; they’re laced with something that sounds like pride and defiance, but they also hint at something more like despair and defensiveness. That’s in three words. And if that sounds impressive, just wait until you see the terrifying way he eats a ham sandwich.

Criss has always been watchable. In his first appearance on Glee, he played a teenage dream who literally sang “Teenage Dream”, and while it’s not a performance you’d call particularly nuanced, it’s evident immediately that this is a performer with vats of charisma at his disposal. What’s so thrilling about his American Crime Story performance is how much more there is going on and how he wields that charisma like a knife. You get the sense that Criss knows exactly when he wants the audience to believe Cunanan and when he doesn’t — when the lies should be convincing and when they shouldn’t. Sometimes, all that charm emanates from him like body heat, something natural and unconscious, but at others it’s obviously tactical, weaponized, hollow. Cunanan has control at some points and not at others, but Criss knows exactly what he’s doing.

When Murphy first cast the largely unknown Criss in Glee, did he know he’d be making him a series regular? Probably not. He certainly didn’t know he’d be putting him at the center of one of 2018’s most exciting television shows and would have had no way of predicting that the result would be a performance that’s sure to be among the best of this or any other year. But what’s almost certain is that Murphy did what he seems to always do: he found an actor he thinks is good, so he made sure to give that actor work. The work was good, so he got more work. And now, this.

There are many reasons to tune into American Crime Story over the next several months — great acting, good writing, terrific production design, and editing as taut as the best horror movie among them — but the lynchpin is Criss’ performance. It’s one more piece of evidence that sometimes loyalty pays off, not in dollars or trophies, but in remarkable art. Ryan Murphy believes in Darren Criss. Darren Criss did not disappoint him. Television is all the better for it.

Los Angeles Times wrote:
'Assassination of Gianni Versace' delves into the mind of a killer — and societal prejudice

June 20, 2018

The second season focused on the mysterious backstory of spree killer Andrew Cunanan, a gay gigolo and prolific liar who killed four men before his infamous 1997 murder of groundbreaking Italian fashion designer Gianni Versace — one of the few openly gay celebrities of that time. (Cunanan, 27 at the time of Versace’s murder, would kill himself days later.)

In the midst of unpacking all of that, the drama presented a striking portrait of homophobia in the 1990s by examining the injustice that was steeped in societal prejudice — particularly in regards to how police officials handled the case — and the toll of hate, from outside and within.

“The underlying theme was homophobia,” said Edgar Ramirez, who played Versace. “The show talks about the open and raging political homophobia on one side, and it also talks about the internalized — and even more dangerous — homophobia within. What I love about this whole project is how, almost in the likes of a Greek tragedy, it touches upon subjects that are important and that are culturally and socially relevant today more than ever.”

[. . . ]

Criss, who before “Versace” had largely been known for his bright-eyed turn in Murphy’s musical series, “Glee,” was struck by the psychological mapping the role required.

“There’s a lot of different ways we could have written Andrew, because there’s a lot of different ways anybody can glean who he was or what really made him tick,“ Criss said. “People always ask, ‘What’s it’s like to play a spree killer?’ If you boil it down to just that, that’s not who he was. It’s what we know him for. But if you think of all the worst things that anybody’s ever done in their life, the amount of time they spent doing that horrible thing is in the severe minority of the infinite minutes, hours, seconds, moments of their life. Again, I’m not saying this by any means exonerates him from those horrible minutes of his life, but it does beg the attention of the other moments.”

[. . . ]

While Versace’s name brings heft to the narrative, the drama was just as invested in bringing attention to Cunanan’s lesser-known victims — Gulf War veteran and Cunanan’s good friend Jeffrey Trail; architect and Cunanan’s unrequited love David Madson; real estate mogul Lee Miglin; and cemetery caretaker William Reese — and the people whose lives were affected by those murders.

[. .  . ]

[Judith] Light says she hadn’t known much about Cunanan’s killings prior to joining the series. But she remembers the ethos of the time distinctly.

“I didn’t really know much about Cunanan’s prior victims,” she said. “So I wasn’t too familiar with the Miglin case. I remember the Versace killing, and I remember it was a very powerful, visceral experience. One of the most important factors in watching this is to see that, to whatever degree, we still have that [homophobia] going on in our culture.”

That function as a sociological yearbook is ultimately what binds “Versace” to “The People v. O.J. Simpson.”

“They’re very different stories,” Criss said. “But they’re excellent examinations of a time period that allows a certain thing to happen, which ends up being a crime — but how that crime affects the social landscape is also a crime.”

TV Line wrote:
Emmys 2018: Lead Actor, Limited Series — Dream Nominees

DARREN CRISS, THE ASSASSINATION OF GIANNI VERSACE: AMERICAN CRIME STORY

WHY HE DESERVES A NOD: Gianni Versace may have gotten his name featured in the title of FX’s second American Crime Story, but it was Andrew Cunanan — played to haunting perfection by a not-so-Gleeful Darren Criss — who captivated audiences until the season’s unforgettable conclusion. With each gut-wrenching breakdown and unnerving look, Criss embodied a character capable of skyrocketing him from teen-TV heartthrob to Emmy-nominated powerhouse. And need we remind you about that infamous underwear dance? Playing this role took some serious, well, you know.

 

Track: Darren Criss on Sud Radio (06-20-18)

Darren Criss on Sud Radio (June 20th, 2018) | Source

*Darren’s speaking in English and it is being translated in real time to French.

**Interview recorded on June 17th, 2018

Episode stills for episode 4 of The Assassination of Gianni Versace | 20 June 2018

@DarrenCriss tell us about #AnericanCrimeStoryVersace, of #Glee, Ryan Murphy and his musical tastes. #ACSVersace #FTV18 @festivaltvmc @seriescanalplus

Darren Criss, incredible in American Crime Story, still can not believe his popularity in Monte Carlo! # ftv18

Darren Criss has been wearing a bunch of outfits for appearances in Europe this past week and we’re recapping all the looks!

The 31-year-old American Crime Story actor was in attendance at the Giorgio Armani fashion show on Monday afternoon (June 18) in Milan, Italy.

Darren looked suave in a blazer with the sleeves rolled up while posing alongside fiancee Mia Swier.

Over the weekend, Darren promoted American Crime Story at a photo call during the Monte Carlo Television Festival in Monaco, where he wore a t-shirt and floral pants. He also suited up for the Soiree Serie TV event on Saturday night and for the opening ceremony on Friday night.

Paste Magazine wrote:
Emmys 2018: Paste's (Unofficial) Nominations Ballot

June 14, 2018

As any TV critic who moonlights as an Emmy observer will tell you, the Television Academy’s choices can be… frustrating. The tendency to nominate the same series and performances year in, year out; the reluctance to acknowledge certain challenging titles; the labyrinthine rules: The Emmys are often easy to predict, yet difficult to understand.


With that in mind, my annual mock Emmy nominations ballot is a plea for voters’ consideration, a paean to the medium’s finest and an attempt to highlight those still flying under the radar as voting gets underway. It’s full of tough decisions and merciless cuts—including a few that may have you scratching your head. It’s not predictive, but aspirational. And it’s written in the hope that it might get even a single voter to give a deserving series or performer another look.

Voting closes June 25, with the nominations to be announced July 12. Let’s get started!

[. . . ]

Outstanding Limited Series




Alias Grace (Netflix) The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story (FX) Howards End (Starz) The Looming Tower (Hulu) Twin Peaks: The Return (Showtime)

It’s been a strong year for limited series. As I’ve written for the site more than once, The Assassination of Gianni Versace is a remarkably radical treatment of queer themes, unspooling in reverse chronological order across multiple genres and painted in Miami pastels. Alias Grace is equally ambitious, in terms of both structure (toggling between two timelines) and perspective (that of an accused murderer); Twin Peaks, meanwhile, is so wildly imagistic, and yet so primal, that the eminences at Sight & Sound and Cahiers du Cinéma decided its excellence made it a film. (It’s a TV series. Always has been.) Even the category’s less groundbreaking entries, Howards End and The Looming Tower, are formidable iterations of familiar stories—an embarrassment of riches, indeed.

[. . . ]


Outstanding Lead Actor (Limited Series/TV Movie)

Darren Criss, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story (FX) Jared Harris, The Terror (AMC) Michael B. Jordan, Fahrenheit 451 (HBO) Matthew Macfadyen, Howards End (Starz) Kyle MacLachlan, Twin Peaks: The Return (Showtime) Jimmy Tatro, American Vandal (Netflix)

So, here is where I come across a familiar Emmy dilemma. Criss does career-making work in The Assassination of Gianni Versace, transforming spree killer Andrew Cunanan into a gruesomely magnetic villain/protagonist, and in any other year I’d say you were out of your gourd not to give him the trophy. But MacLachlan does career-defining work as Twin Peaks’ Dale Cooper, earning Emmy nominations for the series’ first two seasons in 1990-1991, to which he adds both Coop’s doppelganger and Dougie Jones in last year’s revival. Criss will have more bites at the apple. I say give MacLachlan the award he’s deserved for almost three decades.

Backstage wrote:
6 of the Year’s TV Drama Casts Worthy of Emmy Attention

June 14, 2018

“The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story” (FX)

Both a character study of killer Andrew Cunanan and a time capsule of 1990s queer culture, the second season of Ryan Murphy’s “American Crime Story” also trumpets the true arrival of Darren Criss. While it’s never been a secret that the “Glee” and “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” star is a certified song-and-dance man, here he plumbed the depths of a sociopath’s psyche, turning his naturally cheery demeanor dark, desperate, and introspective. The power of Criss’ about-face is enough to put him on any awards shortlist, but it helps that he’s surrounded by an ensemble that meets him mark for mark: Ricky Martin, Judith Light, and Édgar Ramírez and Penélope Cruz as the Versaces. —Benjamin Lindsay

Shoot wrote:
Daniel Minahan Reflects On "The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story"

June 14, 2018

As for the biggest takeaway or lesson learned from his experience on The Assassination of Gianni Versace, Minahan observed, “I’ve been working closely, shoulder to shoulder with the crew, executives, creatives and showrunners on the last five shows I’ve done. The major takeaway for me moving forward is I want to create a family like the family that Ryan has created at Ryan Murphy Productions. When you reach a certain level, there’s the expectation that everyone brings their most excellent work to the show. But beyond this, Ryan’s company has a respect and familial quality for its people. You feel safe, protected. There’s loyalty. You have the feeling you are doing something important. It’s still a series. It’s still entertainment but there’s a greater sense of purpose and significance to the stories you tell.”

guerin_ad: SNEAK PEEK! On press with the next issue of @thewrap Emmy Magazine. Featuring Judith Light, Darren Criss and Edgar Ramirez on the cover and the gorgeous photography of @ecarenphoto.
#emmys2018 #theassassinationofgiannaversace #presscheck

Mandy Moore and Darren Criss on Challenges of Stepping Into Leading Roles | 13 June 2018

 

Variety wrote:
Watch Darren Criss Fan Out Over Mandy Moore’s Music

June 13, 2018

Before anything really cracking into the discussion on Variety’s “Actors on Actors,” Darren Criss had to first reveal his early days obsession with Mandy Moore’s early singing career.

“The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story” actor praised “1999’s seminal ‘So Real’ album.” Mandy Moore’s debut album. “Not sure if you’re familiar with it,” he joked.

The “This Is Us” actress immediately responded: “I would love to give everyone their money back that bought this record!”

Despite Moore’s delightful protests Criss leaned revealing he was a true Monday stan from way back in the day, and proclaimed that his favorite track off the record was actually was only 15 seconds. “It’s the telephone interlude where you get to hear, I don’t know, maybe a 15 or 16-year-old Mandy Moore!”

Without missing a beat Criss recites the album’s special recording from a young Moore and an unknown friend.

“‘Hi guys. It’s Mandy. You know what to do after the beep.’ And then this mysterious character leaves a message who I kind of wanted, as a lover of narrative, to hear more about–this chick Bonnie. But it goes: ‘Beep. Hey Mandy, it’s Bonnie. I heard what happened. Call me back.’ Click. And then I think the ‘Walk Me Home’ song starts.”

Turning pink laughing, Moore said: “I haven’t thought about this in probably 15 years.”

The “Versace” star explained how he would see the “This Is Us” matriarch on MTV, and thought “hearing her talk, hearing her voice as a human being was so sexy and interesting,” he said. “I was like: ‘Whoa, she’s just a kid. I’m a kid. Cool.‘”

Criss also disclosed how he first heard the song on a mini disc player while on a roadtrip, rewinding and “being like: ‘It’s only 15 seconds? What happens? What happens here?”

Moore cooly avoided spilling the beans: “What was she referring to? We’ll never know.”

The Emmy Award-winning “Actors on Actors” series will air in two episodes on PBS SoCal KOCE, the first on Tuesday, June 19 at 7 p.m. and the second on Thursday, June 21 at 7 p.m. Both episodes will stream on pbssocal.org following their premieres.

Variety wrote:
Mandy Moore and Darren Criss on Challenges of Stepping Into Leading Roles

June 13, 2018



Neither Mandy Moore nor Darren Criss are new to the television scene, but both found breakout success with their current roles, which showed off their range as performers. As the family matriarch in “This Is Us,” Moore seamlessly embodies a character across four decades, while Criss deftly plumbed the depths of a serial killer in “The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story.” After bonding over a favorite track from Moore’s musical days, the two actors settled down to talk about working with visionary producers, chasing their dream roles, and coping with the responsibility of stepping into a leading role.

Mandy Moore: How did you get involved with “The Assassination of Gianni Versace”? Did you know immediately you wanted to audition for Andrew?

Darren Criss: The short version is I worked with Ryan Murphy on “Glee” for a bit. Although never directly, in the sense that, because I joined the second season. So I didn’t have that sort of “We’re building this thing together” relationship, but I was always sort of envious. I remember visiting the set of “Scream Queens” in New Orleans, and I had my 15 minutes with Ryan. I was like, “Hey man, heard you’re doing ‘American Horror Story’ with Lady Gaga. Let me know if you need like a wily bellhop on that show!”

Moore: So you just pitched yourself!

Criss: Relentlessly, without any shame. And he was like, “No, but I’m doing this crime story. I want to make it an anthology and I really want to explore this story about Andrew Cunanan and Gianni Versace. How much do you know about Andrew Cunanan?” The only reason I remembered it was because he was half Filipino and being a half-Filipino kid, it’s a thing that I would remember ’cause of we have similar ethnic background. He said he wanted to have it be a manhunt character piece, and so, as an actor, you’re like, “Sure.” The word character piece is great, not for the ego of being all about you.

Moore: Right, just for the juicy challenge of it.

Criss: Yeah, and also just having the breadth of space to dive into something. Which you aren’t always granted the luxury of doing.

Moore: And also to be seen by somebody who knew you distinctly in one light, not only to know you from “Glee,” but to know what you’re capable of. Because Andrew Cunanan couldn’t be further from what you were doing on “Glee.”

Criss: I’d like to think that he saw in me as an actor a capacity or ability. For better or for worse, who knows if I pulled it off.

Moore: You pulled it off, sir. You gave me nightmares.

Criss: Working with visionary people like that — these are people that I’m generally attracted to in life. There are strategic people who are smart and can put things together, but then there are imaginative people that can take what’s not there and see past what’s right here. And that takes a very special type of person to give people like us opportunities that we would otherwise not have the access to. So I am forever indebted to him for seeing past whatever was in front of him, being like “Here’s what I think can happen.” Which I think is kind of what happened for you, because you were also hitting the pavement, trying to do the actress thing.

Moore: Absolutely. As an actor, you never think the next job is right around the corner. You’re terrified of what’s next. Is there a next? Before “This Is Us” came around, I was at this juncture of my life where personally there was a lot of turmoil and it happened to coincide with things really kind of slowing down on the professional side. I just felt like the machine had ground to a halt, for better or worse, and I couldn’t figure out how to start it back up again. No matter what direction I took, whether it was a half hour comedy pilot or an hour drama, nothing just never seemed to find its footing.

Criss: Didn’t you have a pilot at one point?

Moore: Yeah. Never happened. It was a great idea, too. It never came to fruition. I remember I had done three pilots in a row and then the fourth pilot season, I remember that I had gone out for something that I didn’t even love, but I was like, you know what, work begets work. I want to get out there, I want to do something, even though this isn’t something I believe in, it’s a job. And I remember that I didn’t even get that. I was so devastated that even the thing that I wasn’t passionate about, I didn’t even want, and they didn’t want me.

Criss: Oh gosh!

Moore: So I had just switched agencies, and at my meeting with my new agent we laid the ground rules. We’ve been pounding the pavement for traditional pilot season for the last couple of years to no results, so why don’t we just put that to the side? Let’s table that idea and try and find strategic ways of looking for cool supporting roles on cable or other media platforms. And about two weeks after that meeting, I got his script for the untitled Dan Fogelman project.

Criss: Were you a fan? Were you familiar with his work?

Moore: Yes, I’m a huge fan of Dan’s. I loved “Crazy, Stupid, Love” and John [Requa] and Glenn [Ficara], who directed that, were also attached to direct the pilot. I had also worked with Dan on “Tangled” so knew each other, sort of more peripherally. We weren’t in the same room a ton. With animated films, there were 20 people at my recording sessions and he was one of them, but we didn’t have a ton of interaction. I think a lot of people are like, “Oh, you worked together on this project so obviously he just offered the role to you,” and it couldn’t have been further from the truth. So I read the script and immediately called all my folks and was like, “What do I have to do to be a part of this?”

Criss: So you really chased it.

Moore: I chased it hard, and it was at a really tough moment in my life professionally. I remember I went in early and I felt OK about the audition and the feedback was like, “They really liked you, but you were one of the very first people that they read. So now they’re going to go to New York and read a ton of other girls and we’ll get back to you.” So I waited about five weeks, I think, and I had sort of forgotten about it, as you do. You move on. And I got the call that they’re going to bring in a handful of actresses and a handful of actors to do chemistry reads together. And one of the guys was Milo [Ventimiglia], and I remember hearing, “Milo’s the guy to beat.” We didn’t know each other, so it was we had to jump right into being husband and wife and this couple that really anchors this entire show. I loved him immediately. I felt comfortable with him immediately. And that was it.

Criss: You are a narrative and literal anchor of the show. Did you know that was going to be the case?

Moore: I had no idea the breadth of the character. I did know how the story was going to be told, ultimately. Dan, he’s the greatest boss ever. I feel so lucky. He wears his heart on his sleeve. He is the most wonderful guy, because he’s the most unassuming, too. He gets really excited about things and he was super excited while we were shooting the pilot about starting to regale Milo and I with ideas of where the show is going to go in all these different directions. And I was like, “No, no, don’t tell me because what if this doesn’t happen and then I’m going to be so upset.” When I got the role, he was like, “Don’t worry. I know it doesn’t seem like it’s a lot on the page for this first episode, but she is the mother and she is the matriarch of this family and it’s going to get good.”

Criss: It’s nice that he told you that.

Moore: Totally, but I would have done it regardless. I was like, “This is such exquisite writing,” and when we did the first read through with the cast, I was like, everybody is so exceptional. I would have been a part of it, just had I been a tiny fraction of the show.

Criss: Is this the first time you’ve been a leading character on a series? Obviously in films, you’ve done all that.

Moore: This is the first time I’ve ever really done a series. … It’s a machine, but I love it and as you well know, when people embrace the work that you’re doing and embrace these characters, you recognize and are humbled by the idea that you are in people’s homes. It’s so different from the experience of being in a film where people go somewhere else to watch you on the big screen.

Criss: And then they leave, whereas you have a weekly presence.

Moore: You have a weekly presence in someone’s home and you’re in their hearts and their minds and people will stop us on the street and they want to be vulnerable. They want to get into the nitty-gritty of how they relate to these characters in the stories. It does feel like a huge debt of responsibility that I never really thought about until I was in this position, but it’s beautiful. I love that I get the chance to traverse all of this territory of playing this woman from 22 to 68.

Criss: You look good at 68. She really does. You’re in for a treat.

Moore: I mean, I don’t know if I’m going to age that well, but I’m trying to borrow all her secrets!

Criss: Did you feel a responsibility as sort of the quarterback, as a leading character? I don’t want to get into the bureaucracy of call sheets, I know that stings some people.

Moore: Not to me, but yeah.

Criss: But you know, for some people there’s a real sort of pecking order.

Moore: There’s no pecking order for us. We definitely feel like Mom and Dad. Milo is No. 1 on the call sheet, and it very much feels like he’s Dad. He knows everything that’s going on on set. And to that sense, to that degree, I feel like Mom. I’ve never played a wife before. I’m not a mother, so to suddenly have this insta-family, having three children in all these different iterations; from babies to toddlers to teenagers and 10-year-olds and adults, I have to have an individual relationship with all of these different kids and the adults, and I felt daunted by that. And most by the prospect of playing a 65-, 66-year-old woman. I have no point of reference. I have no point of reference in playing a mother, in general, but an older grandmother who is a widow, who also lost a child early on in her life and now is remarried to her husband’s best friend. It is four different characters in one, which is such a treat and a delight.

Criss: Hits all the buttons, man. I want to be in that family! I also know what happens, so I know when to leave the house or to turn the cooker off.

Moore: Don’t leave the slow-cooker on! [Laughs.] What I want to know from you though, is this tremendous role, which you are so brilliant in, and terrifying and manipulative and conniving in, how did you find playing the lead character? How did you get in the mind-frame of taking on a leading character and all this responsibility that you had, and did you know how it was going to unfold?

Criss: It was cool that it wasn’t all about Andrew because when it is about Andrew, it’s just his narrative. I liked that it was juxtaposed against another brilliant mind with a different set of buttons. I liked that juxtaposition of the two of them, so if it was just a me-me-me thing, it would have been a little more scary. Edgar Ramirez and I became very close throughout this whole process because it was this sort of parallel character study, the Great Destroyer and the Great Creator. We’re juxtaposing them against each other and even though most of our stuff was shot without each other, there was so much that crossed over thematically. So I did feel like I had someone to lean on personally in the storytelling. Even though we weren’t shooting actual things together except for little bits.

Moore: That’s so interesting.

Criss: I really liked the fact that the character piece is almost a two-hander. But that’s on a grand scale because each episode is sort of its own little play. It was almost like shooting a new act, every time. Similar to you, even though I had done a series for many years, “Glee” itself was an anomaly. Imagine all of those bootcampy things, between recording and going to dance rehearsal and all that stuff. So doing that for eight different numbers a week for 22 episodes every season for like six-some odd years, that’s its own little animal. I kind of liked it because I’m a masochist like that way. I enjoy people being like, “This is going to be hard.” I’m like, “Bring it!”

Moore: You didn’t strike me as the type to play a serial killer.

Criss: I really did enjoy it, truthfully. This was the first time I’d ever been a part of something where Ryan Murphy had really directed me. This was the first time we were making the dough and creating the thing and getting in the trenches and asking the questions and finding or searching for the answers. So that was really cool because it was the first time I was in a position to set a tone on set. It was a dark show, and I’m a pretty goofy person. But how did I get in the mind-set? When people say stuff like, “Oh my God, it’s so terrifying, it’s so creepy,” as you know on set, these moments that you’re playing whatever extreme they are, whether they be the extreme of anger or sadness or love or woe or any sort of, dial at 11 of any given emotion. They are quieter, simpler moments on set, but when you add the cocktail of the extra close-up and the music and the pacing, it sort of changes everything. I remember the things that have been truly terrifying in the show, I go, “Wow. I think that’s way more scary than I remember.” I think the things that really scared me, or the things that were really severe were those much quieter moments in between.

Moore: The ones that made you real uncomfortable.

Criss: Those were the things that got me. I’m not in control of that curation, and they did a marvelous job to really make an intense, exciting, thrilling show. But the moments I latched onto with Andrew were much quieter, whether they were scary or really happy. The thing for me with Andrew was latching on to the best parts of him because there were really a lot of lovely, promising things about him which, to me, is the tragedy that this wonderful guy that had so many gifts…

Moore: Happened down such a dark path.

Criss: That’s the tragedy. It’s not the actual tragedy that we’re looking at, it’s the fall from grace that to me, just broke my heart.

We talk true crime with Darren Criss | 13 June 2018

Telstra Exchange wrote:
We talk true crime with Darren Criss

June 13, 2018


Is there something that you learned about Andrew during your research that stood out to you as interesting or unexpected?

Andrew and I had an eerily big amount in common. Both grew up Catholic, both grew up half Filipino. You know I had a very different home life and the details are very different but we both gravitate towards not only big ideas people but big ideas in general – we have a penchant for embellishment. I always assume I have more in common with somebody than not. I just didn’t know it was going to be that much in common.

[. . . ]

The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story is streaming now on Foxtel Now. Get a 24 month Foxtel Now subscription with your Telstra Mobile plan.

Los Angeles Times wrote:
What happens when you get Mandy Moore, Angela Bassett and other actors together? Just watch

June 7, 2018

It’s the kind of ensemble that would make for a most epic cross-over TV episode. The Envelope gathered six actors who keep viewers glued to their screens (whichever form that may take) each week — Angela Bassett, who plays a police officer with a fractured home life on Fox’s “9-1-1”; Darren Criss, who plays killer Andrew Cunanan in FX’s “The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story”; Jonathan Groff, who portrays an FBI agent and criminal profiler in Netflix’s “Mindhunter”; Maggie Gyllenhaal, who plays a prostitute-turned-porn producer in HBO’s “The Deuce”; David Harbour, who stars as a gruff and tortured police chief in Netflix’s “Stranger Things”; and Mandy Moore, who plays America’s favorite time-jumping matriarch on NBC’s “This Is Us” — to discuss their craft. Which they did, at some length, but not without also covering secrets on set, cynicism and the lessons of “Gilligan’s Island.”

Here is an excerpt from their conversation, edited for length and clarity.

How did these roles for you challenge your comfort zone?

Darren Criss: This was the first time I had a real leading position. So the challenge was less about the content of the role and more about the workload itself. And that is exciting because it's fun to be in a position to sort of set a tone, in a crew and in a set.

FULL ARTICLE | LATIMES.COM

Jonathan Groff, Angela Bassett, Maggie Gyllenhaal, David Harbour, Mandy Moore and Darren Criss in the June 7 issue of Los Angeles Times

(Right-click and open link in new tab to read in full-size)

The Assassination of Gianni Versace FYC billboard ads (Source)

Broadway World wrote:

Sundance TV's Original Series CLOSE UP WITH THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER Returns June 24 with All-New Episodes


June 7, 2018

The new season, with TV Executive Editor Lacey Rose moderating six episodes and Awards Editor Rebecca Ford helming one, will include passionate and candid conversations with A-list talent from the year’s most acclaimed series.

DRAMA ACTORS - July 8th at 10 am ET


Jason Bateman - “Ozark” (Netflix)

Darren Criss - “The Assassination of Gianni Versace: AMERICAN CRIME Story” (FX)

Jeff Daniels - “The Looming Tower” (Hulu) / “Godless” (Netflix)

Matthew Rhys - “The Americans” (FX)

J.K. Simmons - “Counterpart” (Starz)

Michael B. Jordan - “Fahrenheit 451” (HBO)

The Hollywood Reporter wrote:
Darren Criss on "Weight" of Portraying a Real-Life Character in 'American Crime Story' | Drama Actor Roundtable

5/29/2018

Darren Criss opened up to The Hollywood Reporter on the reality of playing a real-life character, spree killer Andrew Cunanan, in FX’s ‘Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story. Criss said he couldn’t help but think about, “the sons and daughters and cousins and husbands and wives of people that were affected” by Cunanan.

“That weighs on me a little bit,” he told THR during the Drama Actor Roundtable. Criss said he was able to identify with Cunanan, who died at age 27 by suicide, because, “that’s our job. We’re in the business of empathy. It doesn’t matter what my personal moral spectrum is.”

Criss went on to discuss the #MeToo and Time’s Up movements in Hollywood, being one of the two youngest members of the roundtable at age 31, along with Michael B. Jordan (Fahrenheit 451). 

“What’s interesting is the way that it’s shaping the narratives that we’re interested in,” Criss said, comparing the current hot-button issue to the world wars of the early 20th century, and how those stories were reflected on-screen. “We’re seeing this wonderful rise of female voices in film and television. That’s cool. That’s the flip side of all this.”

The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story starring Criss aired in January on FX. The full Emmy Roundtables air every Sunday on SundanceTV beginning June 24 and on THR.com the following Monday. The full Drama Actor Roundtable, also starring Matthew Rhys, J.K. Simmons, Jeff Daniels and Jason Bateman airs Sunday, July 8 on Sundance TV. Tune in to THR.com/roundtables for more roundtables featuring talent from the year’s top shows.

Golden Globe Awards --HFPA wrote:
HFPA in Conversation: Darren Criss, the Multitalented "Piano Man"

May 30, 2018

HFPA journalist Ruben Nepales met Darren Criss on a busy day at the Four Seasons hotel in Beverly Hills. Recently, Criss has been seen on FX's The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story playing a serial killer based on real-life criminal Andrew Cunanan. He is currently touring with his Gleeco-star Lea Michele.

At the beginning of this interview, Criss looks back to his childhood and confesses he didn’t like performing if he was told to do so. “If it was on my own fruition to do a song and dance number, then I’d be happy to. I guess I always wanted to because I enjoyed it, but if you told me to do something, I was like, no way.”

He grew up in San Francisco and Honolulu in a family he describes as very musical. “I grew up in a household where a lot of singing and music was around.”

In high school he was given a choice: did he want to be an Oscar or Grammy winner in the yearbook. “It was polite way to say you did music or theatre. And because I did both I got to choose. And the only reason why I chose the Grammy was because I thought it’d be a fun picture with my friend Michelle because we both played a ton of instruments, so I brought all my instruments and we took like a fun yearbook photo.”

After college, he formed a musical theatre StarKid with his friends and played Harry Potter on stage. In an interesting overlap, later in his life, he’d replace Daniel Radcliffe in the play How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. “When we met, I didn’t bring it up because I think it’s the pink elephant in the room. But this was years ago when I met him right before I did the show. He’s always been very friendly. We see each other around town every now and then and there are more interesting things to talk about than Harry Potter when we’re together for the brief moments we are together.”

Listen to the podcast to learn what he thinks about his stage debut at ten years old, what being a younger brother means to him, why he likes to introduce people to each other, why being part of Glee was like a lottery ticket for him, why he is only a piano man in his and his fiancée’s piano bar, Tramp Stamp Granny’s, how playing Andrew Cunanan affected him and what he seeks from the future - amongst other things.

Darren’s episode of Variety Studio: Actors On Actors to air June 19th, 2018 at 7:00PM

The episode will stream on pbssocal.org following the premiere.

You can check here for other dates and times.

Preview of Emmy magazine via writesinblue Instagram story | 17 May 2018

televisionacad: American Tragedy, The cross-country murder spree of #AndrewCunanan leading to the 1997 killing of designer #GianniVersace — is “a very American story,” says #RyanMurphy, executive producer–director of the FX anthology series that brought the real-life tale to television. A distorted desire for the good life and the pain of hiding in plain sight are just two of the themes explored by stars #DarrenCriss #EdgarRamírez #PenélopeCruz and #RickyMartin. Written BY#TATIANASIEGEL in the new issue of #emmymagazine #ninajacobson #bradsimpson @mrrpmurphy @darrencriss @edgarramirez25 @ricky_martin @penelopecruzoficial Photographed by @robertascroft lead stylist @jolene.nava

#Kindramann grooming for Darren #AshleyWeston wardrobe for Darren #SaschaBreuer grooming for Edgar #DaniMichelle wardrobe for Edgar #DouglasVanLaningham wardrobe for Ricky Ricky hair #joeyNieves Ricky face #hanicarias #CristinaEhrlich wardrobe for Penelope #PabloIglesias hair nd makeup Penelope

televisionacad: American Tragedy, The cross-country murder spree of #AndrewCunanan leading to the 1997 killing of designer #GianniVersace — is “a very American story,” says #RyanMurphy, executive producer–director of the FX anthology series that brought the real-life tale to television. A distorted desire for the good life and the pain of hiding in plain sight are just two of the themes explored by stars #DarrenCriss #EdgarRamírez #PenélopeCruz and #RickyMartin. Written BY#TATIANASIEGEL in the new issue of #emmymagazine #ninajacobson #bradsimpson @mrrpmurphy @darrencriss @edgarramirez25 @ricky_martin @penelopecruzoficial Photographed by @robertascroft lead stylist @jolene.nava 
 
#Kindramann grooming for Darren #AshleyWeston wardrobe for Darren #SaschaBreuer grooming for Edgar #DaniMichelle wardrobe for Edgar #DouglasVanLaningham wardrobe for Ricky Ricky hair #joeyNieves Ricky face #hanicarias #CristinaEhrlich wardrobe for Penelope #PabloIglesias hair nd makeup Penelope

Film Trophies wrote:


Emmy Predictions 2018: Forecasting Nominations for Limited Series, Reality & Variety Categories

May 18, 2018

OUTSTANDING LIMITED SERIES

American Vandal
The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
Godless
Howards End
Twin Peaks

It’s a tough year to call for limited series, since nothing really took the nation by storm like Big Little Lies or The People v. O.J. Simpson in years past. Even if initial critics were divided on Gianni Versace I think the final product was immensely powerful and will probably be the frontrunner as such. I also expect something as high profile as Twin Peaks to be nominated despite its divisiveness. From there it’s anyone’s guess, so I’m betting on two Netflix series that have earned acclaim, American Vandal and Godless, since they have both done fairly well in precursor awards. I’m guessing Howards End will round out the five, as the TV Academy loves prestigious British dramas, especially those written by legendary writers like Kenneth Lonergan.

OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR IN A LIMITED SERIES OR TELEVISION MOVIE

Darren Criss – The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
Benedict Cumberbatch – Patrick Melrose
Michael B. Jordan – Fahrenheit 451
Kyle MacLachlan – Twin Peaks
Al Pacino – Paterno
Evan Peters – American Horror Story: Cult

Darren Criss should be the runaway frontrunner for his stellar performance as Andrew Cunanan in Gianni Versace, but Kyle MacLachlan will ideally be hot on his trail for playing three different characters in the Twin Peaks revival. Al Pacino will likely get in for yet another HBO TV movie where he plays a controversial public figure, while Benedict Cumberbatch gets in every year for whatever he does, so why not Patrick Melrose, too? After the great year Michael B. Jordan is having I’m guessing he can sneak into this category, even if Fahrenheit 451 doesn’t have the best reviews. For the last slot I’m going with a passion pick, but Evan Peters gave his best performance on American Horror Story yet this past season and I’m going out on a limb and saying the remaining AHS fans in the Academy will push him through.

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A LIMITED SERIES OR TELEVISION MOVIE

Jeff Daniels – Godless
Brandon Victor Dixon – Jesus Christ Superstar
Edgar Ramirez – The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
Jason Ritter – The Tale
Michael Shannon – Fahrenheit 451
Sam Waterston – Godless

No idea. Seriously, this category is an absolute mess this year and the winner could be anyone. For now I’m going with people associated with what I expect to be the limited series and movies Emmy voters will watch, so Jeff Daniels, Edgar Ramirez, Michael Shannon, and Sam Waterston it is. Tentatively adding in Jason Ritter as well. Then there’s Brandon Victor Dixon, who had extremely strong reviews for Jesus Christ Superstar and could angle himself into becoming the first actor from one of these recent live musicals to get an acting nomination.

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A LIMITED SERIES OR TELEVISION MOVIE

Ellen Burstyn – The Tale
Penélope Cruz – The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
Laura Dern – Twin Peaks
Nicole Kidman – Top of the Lake: China Girl
Angela Lansbury – Little Women
Judith Light – The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story

Hooray double nomination for Laura Dern! Like with Supporting Actor it’s hard to say exactly who will get in here, so it’s best to go with the seen contenders, like Ellen Burstyn in The Tale, Penélope Cruz and Judith Light in Gianni Versace, and probably Nicole Kidman for Top of the Lake. Then I expect there to be a big narrative for 18x Emmy loser Angela Lansbury to get a nomination that could even propel her to a win.

Miro Magazaine wrote:
The subtle brilliance of American Crime Story’s ‘Versace’ second season



May 18, 2018

I am a huge fan of producer Ryan Murphy. After his hit shows Nip/Tuck and Glee, I’ve gone on to watch American Horror Story, Scream Queens, Feud and, most recently, American Crime Story – not a spin-off, but more of a cousin to AHS. When the first season of ACS came to BBC2 in 2016, my friends and I watched together in unison and live-texted each other updates. In fact, I’d go as far as to say the debut of American Crime Story was perfect and was, I think, one of the best seasons of television ever seen.

[. . . ]

. . . In fact, I enjoyed the show a whole lot more than I anticipated I would and thought it was a fantastic series as a result of the perspective it took; even Ryan Murphy himself suggests that this season is “the best thing [he] has ever made”. I think that writer Tom Rob Smith did a fantasic job on breaking apart the character of Andrew Cunanan and exploring him from as many angles as possible. By the end of the season, I felt like I knew everything that could possibly be known about Cunanan – maybe even too much – and it was fascinating to see. It’s the kind of character study that you could only possibly explore over the course of 10 hours, something that a limited series really allows Smith and Murphy to do perfectly.

[. . . ]

Marketing campaigns aside though and I do really think that ACS’s sophomore run was fantastic in its own right. As I said previously, what struck me initially as being brilliant was its structure and detail that it was given thanks to head writer Tom Rob Smith. The story really was liberated in regards to time and had no problem in moving backwards and forwards through Cunanan’s timeline to serve different perspectives on the character. Its structure and its writing felt fresh and unique: while season one was pretty linear in how it told the story and was incredibly well written in its own way, Versace managed to be brilliant too and its structure served its story beautifully.

Of course, the show is only as good as it is because of its cast, too, and Darren Criss really knocked it out of the park with his portrayal of Andrew Cunanan. I think it’s hard to see people in different lights when you’re used to seeing them one way and after seeing Criss on Glee for so many years, I really didn’t think I’d be able to shake that off. But I did and Criss was amazing in a performance that surely earns him at least an Emmy nod, if not a win. Yes, the writing did an incredible job at making Andrew layered and extremely complex, but it was Darren’s performance that really brought that to life and made it so endearing. Kudos to him and his work.

edgarramirez25: Glamming up with the Family for #emmymagazine #acsversace

ricky_martin: [arm emoji]

Media Week wrote:
Foxtel hosts intimate soiree for Assassination Of Gianni Versace star Darren Criss in Sydney

May 17, 2018

Foxtel held what it called an intimate cocktail soiree for visiting US actor Darren Criss last night in Sydney. The venue could have not been more appropriate – The Penthouse at The Ivy.

Criss is the star of the forthcoming installment of the American Crime Story franchise, The Assassination of Gianni Versace. The series is an FX original and under the new deal Foxtel has for FX programming, the series will screen on the showcase channel and also be available on demand.

Foxtel had decorated The Ivy Penthouse with a shimmering golden curtain, which provided a glamorous backdrop for photos.

Key invited media mingled with Foxtel executives Stephen Baldwin and Jim Buchanwhile Foxtel’s Jamie Campbell conducted an informal interview with Criss before showing a short highlights reel.

Criss has many fans in Australia from his good work on Glee as Blaine Anderson. Campbell and Criss spoke about how the actor prepared for his role in The Assassination of Gianni Versace, where he plays the murderer Andrew Cunanan.

[HQ] Interview with Darren Criss in the May issue of Deadline’s AwardsLine Magazine (Source) | 14 May 2018

SAG Foundation wrote:
Program Type:
CONVERSATIONS

Location:
LOS ANGELES

Title:
THE ASSASSINATION OF GIANNI VERSACE: AMERICAN CRIME STORY

Featuring:
Darren Criss

Date:
Tuesday, May 22, 2018

Time:
2:00 PM
Check-in begins at: 1:30 PM

Screening followed by a Q&A with Darren Criss.

Moderated by Henry Goldblatt, Entertainment Weekly.

SYNOPSIS

Inspired by actual events, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story is the second installment of FX’s award-winning limited series, American Crime Story.

Ryan Murphy, Nina Jacobson, Brad Simpson, Brad Falchuk, Alexis Martin Woodall, Dan Minahan, Tom Rob Smith, Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski are Executive Producers of The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story. It is written by Tom Rob Smith, and Ryan Murphy directed the premiere episode of the series, which stars Darren Criss, Edgar Ramirez, Penelope Cruz and Ricky Martin.  The series is produced by Fox 21 Television Studios and FX Productions.

GUEST BIO

Darren Criss stars as Andrew Cunanan in the FX anthology series The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story.

Criss is an Emmy nominated artist with an illustrious career spanning television, film, music and stage.

Criss debuted his indiepop band Computer Games along with his brother Chuck Criss. Their first album, Lost Boys Life EP, which features four songs written by the duo, quickly became a fan favorite and debuted to rave reviews. The lead single “Every Single Night” debuted at #2 on Billboard’s “Hot Singles” chart and landed on various lists including “50 Best Songs of 2017 So Far,” “20 Awesome Pop Songs From 2017’s First Half You Might Have Missed,” “10 Great Pop Songs From March You Might’ve Missed” and deemed one of the best moments at the 2017 MTV Movie & TV Awards. Teen Vogue labeled the album as “an indie gem filled with plenty of 80s pop inspiration and a dash of true DIY sensibility,” while Entertainment Weekly described their sound as “a funky blast to the past in the spirit of some of the grooviest ’80s superstars.”

Last fall, Criss returned to Broadway in his critically-acclaimed performance as “Hedwig” in Hedwig and the Angry Inch, which kicked off the 2014 Tony Award-winning Best Musical Revival’s national tour. The New York Times touted Criss as “mesmerizing” when he first stepped into the title role on Broadway in 2015. Criss made his Broadway debut in January of 2012 as “J. Pierrepont Finch” in How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying. With Criss at the helm, the revival made just under $4 million, which proved to be the most lucrative three weeks of its 11-month run. Criss is also the co-founder of New York City’s first showtunes music festival, Elsie Fest.

Criss is best known for playing “Blaine Anderson” on FOX’s global phenomenon Glee. He received an Emmy nomination in 2015 for Best Original Music and Lyrics for the song “This Time,” which appeared in the episode titled “Dreams Come True.” As a member of the cast, he was also nominated for two Screen Actors Guild Awards. Criss’ previous credits include Girl Most Likely, American Horror Story, Web Therapy and Eastwick.

We will be screening episode 9 - “Alone”

TV Tonight wrote:
Darren Criss to visit Australia to promote Versace drama

May 8, 2018

Darren Criss will visit Sydney next week to promote upcoming drama The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story.

The former Glee star plays killer Andrew Cunanan in the Ryan Murphy-anthology drama.

He will also perform a one night only concert at the Eternity Playhouse on Friday May 18.

Best known for playing Blaine Anderson on Twentieth Century Fox Television’s global phenomenon Glee, his previous screen credits also include Girl Most Likely, American Horror Story, Web Therapy and Eastwick. He has starred in numerous Broadway productions, most recently his critically-acclaimed performance as “Hedwig” in Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Last year he debuted his indie-pop band Computer Games, with the lead single from his EP Lost Boys Life debuting at number two on the Billboard “Hot Singles” charts.

The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story profiles spree-killer Andrew Cunanan (Darren Criss), whose cross-country path of destruction earns him a spot on the FBI’s 10 Most Wanted List, before his murder of international fashion icon Gianni Versace (Edgar Ramirez) on the steps of Versace’s South Beach residence in 1997. Based on the book Vulgar Favors by Maureen Orth, the series examines how cultural homophobia and prejudice delayed law enforcement’s search for Cunanan, as well as Versace’s relationship with his sister and muse Donatella (Penélope Cruz). The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story is a story of failed ambition and how the pursuit of an “American Dream” ended in murder and suicide.

Gold Derby wrote:
Emmys 2018 exclusive: FX categories for ‘Atlanta,’ ‘Versace,’ ‘The Americans’ and more

May 7, 2018



In a Gold Derby exclusive, we have learned the category placements of the key Emmy Awards contenders for FX. For this season, the cable network has returning Emmy contenders “Atlanta” (Donald Glover), “The Americans” (Keri Russell, Matthew Rhys) and “Baskets” (Zach Galifianakis), newcomer “Trust” (Donald Sutherland) and limited series “The Assassination of Gianni Versace” (Darren Criss) as part of their 2018 campaign.

Below, the list of FX lead, supporting and guest submissions for their comedy, drama and limited series. More names might be added by the network on the final Emmy ballot. Also note that performers not included on this list may well be submitted by their personal reps.

“THE ASSASSINATION OF GIANNI VERSACE”
Limited Series

Movie/Limited Series Actor – Darren Criss
Movie/Limited Series Supporting Actress – Joanna Adler, Penelope Cruz, Judith Light
Movie/Limited Series Supporting Actor – Jon Jon Briones, Cody Fern, Ricky Martin, Edgar Ramirez, Finn Wittrock

New Yorker wrote:
How Ryan Murphy Became the Most Powerful Man in TV

May 14, 2018

Ryan Murphy hates the word “camp.” He sees it as a lazy catchall that gets thrown at gay artists in order to marginalize their ambitions, to frame their work as niche. “I don’t think that when John Waters made ‘Female Trouble’ that he was, like, ‘I want to make a camp piece,’ ” Murphy told me last May, as we sat in a production tent in South Beach, Florida, where he was directing the pilot of “American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace,” a nine-episode series for FX. “I think that he was, like, ‘It’s my tone—and my tone is unique.’ ”

Murphy prefers a different label: “baroque.” Between shots, the showrunner—who has overseen a dozen television series in the past two decades—elaborated, with regal authority, on this idea. To Murphy, “camp” describes not irony but something closer to clumsiness, the accident you can’t look away from. People rarely use the term to describe a melodrama made by a straight man; even when “camp” is meant as a compliment, it contains an insult, suggesting a musty smallness. “Baroque” is big. Murphy, referring to TV critics (including me) who have applied “camp” to his work, said, “I will admit that it really used to bug the shit out of me. But it doesn’t anymore.”

[. . .]

The previous day, Murphy had filmed the murder scene. Cunanan was played by Darren Criss, a star of Murphy’s biggest hit, “Glee.” I’d visited the set that day, too, arriving to find ambulances, cops, and paparazzi swarming outside. There was a splash of red on the marble steps. Inside the house, Edgar Ramirez, the Venezuelan actor playing Versace, sat in a shaded courtyard, his hair caked with gun-wound makeup, his face lowered in his hands.

[. . . ]

It was no mystery which character in his current series Murphy most identified with: Gianni Versace himself. Versace was a commercially minded artist whose brash inventions were dismissed by know-nothings as tacky, and whose openness about his sexuality threatened his ascent in a homophobic era. Versace, too, was a baroque maximalist, Murphy told me, who built his reputation through fervid workaholism—an insistence that his vision be seen and understood. “He was punished and he struggled,” Murphy said, then spoke in Versace’s voice: “Why aren’t I loved for my excess? Why don’t they see something valid in that?”

[…] His multitasking benefits greatly from the freedoms of cable and streaming: he has zero nostalgia for the twenty-two-episode network grind of a show like “Glee,” in which “halfway through Episode 15 you had nothing left to say, the actors were sick, the writers were sick, and it was fucking oatmeal until the end.” He favors eight or ten episodes, often with a small writers’ room, as with “Pose.” He writes scripts for some shows, whereas for others he gives notes; on a few projects, like his HBO adaptation of Larry Kramer’s play “The Normal Heart,” he’s very hands-on. “We left blood on the dance floor,” Murphy said, affectionately, of his three-year collaboration with Kramer. “Versace” had one writer, Tom Rob Smith. But Murphy provided close directorial, design, and casting oversight, and he had a strong commitment to the show’s themes, particularly the contrast between Versace and Cunanan, two gay men craving success, but only one willing to work for it.

[…] In the meanwhile, Murphy had scored a ratings bonanza with Fox’s “9-1-1,” a wackadoo procedural featuring stories like one about a baby caught in a plumbing pipe. It was his parting gift to Dana Walden. “Versace” had been, by certain standards, a flop: lower ratings, mixed reviews. Artistically, though, it was one of Murphy’s boldest shows, with a backward chronology and a moving performance by Criss as Cunanan, a panicked dandy hollowed out by self-hatred. After the finale aired, a new set of reviews emerged. Matt Brennan, on Paste, argued that “Versace” had been subjected to “the straight glance”—a critical gaze that skims queer art, denying its depths. “Even critics sympathetic to the series seem as uncomfortable with its central subject as the Miami cops were with those South Beach fags,” Brennan wrote. Murphy was reading a new oral history of Tony Kushner’s “Angels in America,” in which, in one scene, Roy Cohn denies being gay because, he barks, homosexuals lack power: they are “men who know nobody and who nobody knows.” The line echoes one in “Versace.” A homeless junkie dying of aids tells the cops, bitterly, why gay men couldn’t stop talking about the designer: “We all imagined what it would be like to be so rich and so powerful that it doesn’t matter that you’re gay.”

Vulture wrote:
Ryan Murphy, Wendy Williams, Mindhunter, The Bold Type, and More Join Vulture Festival Lineup

May 1, 2018

SUNDAY, MAY 20

8 p.m. to 9 p.m.: RYAN MURPHY: IN CONVERSATION

Four-time Emmy-winning super-producer Ryan Murphy makes his Vulture Festival debut in a wide-ranging conversation with New York and Vulture Hollywood editor Stacey Wilson Hunt about his juggernaut TV career — he recently inked a history-making $300 million deal with Netflix — his provocative 2018 Emmy-contending limited series The Assassination of Gianni Versace and his Half Foundation initiative, which offers jobs, mentorships, and scholarships to women, people of color, and members of the LGBTQ community. Murphy will also offer fans an exclusive look inside his groundbreaking forthcoming dance-musical drama Pose — set against New York’s 1980’s ballroom culture, it boasts the largest cast of transgender series regulars of any scripted series ever produced— which premieres June 3 on FX. Milk Studios (450 West 15th Street). Tickets $25 (includes complimentary access to the Vulture Lounge following the event).

twinstalktheatre: @jonjonbriones getting a visionary award at #ewpgala52 This guy is Amazing! An immigrant. A new American. A Broadway star! And the nicest guy backstage. Thank you! @eastwestplayers#twinstalktheatre

Los Angeles Times wrote:
Cody Fern plays the most involving victim in 'The Assassination of Gianni Versace'

May 01, 2018



Cody Fern, by most measures, was the least recognizable name attached to Ryan Murphy’s “The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story

The 30-year-old Australian actor had few credits to his name and prior to scooping up the role, had gone to London to work on a feature film that he was writing and directing as a means of taking control of his career.

“I really did not want to play the boy next door … it’s just not me,” Fern said when he stopped by the L.A. Times video studio this week.
Then came the audition that would put him in the company of Darren Criss, Edgar Ramirez, Penelope Cruz and Ricky Martin in a saga that explored the 1997 murder of the famed fashion designer — as well as the less-publicized murders that came before him — by serial killer Andrew Cunanan. For followers of the show, Fern would emerge with a noteworthy performance with his portrayal of little-known David Madson, Cunanan’s good friend who ultimately became one of his murder victims.

In keeping with the show’s reversed timeline narrative, viewers are introduced to Fern’s David with his harrowing last encounters with Cunanan, as explored in Episode 4, titled “House by the Lake.”

The episode opens with Madson bearing witness to the brutal murder of Jeff Trail, a friend Madson shared with Cunanan. As the episode progresses, Madson is essentially forced into fleeing the scene with Cunanan. At one point, they end up at a roadside bar and there’s a moment where Madson could try to escape from a bathroom window. But he doesn’t. And, ultimately, he ends up as Cunanan’s next victim. Much of the timeline is a theorization of events given that Madson and Cunanan did not live to tell the story.

“There is this element of stitching together what has happened in this time — that this man is murdered in [Madson’s] apartment and he’s seemingly involved in the police’s mind and then he ends up dead,” Fern said. “The core question, for me [as] David in this series, is ‘Why doesn’t he run when he smashes the window? Why doesn’t he go?’ … I will say this much: There is, throughout 'House by the Lake,’ the feeling of David looking back and assessing his life and all of the choices that he’s made, all of the hiding that he’s done, all of the repression he’s been through. … I think he’s starting to become aware of the fact that he’s spent a great deal of his life in hiding. Not being who he truly is. In that moment, David understands that even if he runs from this thing, where is he going to go?”

Attitude wrote:

Darren Criss on American Crime Story and the role of homophobia in Gianni Versace's death

Ryan Murphy's riveting true-crime drama comes to a close on BBC Two tonight (April 25).

2018-04-25

The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story airs on BBC Two tonight (April 25) as the story of US serial killer Andrew Cunanan comes to a bloody conclusion.

Ryan Murphy's nine-part drama series has won critical acclaim for its riveting exploration of wealth, sexuality and power in '90s America, and Darren Criss's mezmerising, haunting portrayal of Cunanan is generating plent of awards buzz - and rightly so.

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One of the dangers with this sort of project is glamorising a killer. Is that something you talked about, and how to avoid it?

If that is ever the way someone perceives it that’s sort of out of our hands. In my mind it’s obviously deplorable – it’s pretty obvious on the moral spectrum where we stand – and I don’t think it glamorises. If anything, it begs the question of ‘how did we get here? How did this happen?’ What’s interesting about it going in reverse is that it’s almost an unintentional redemption story, in the sense that you’ve seen somebody at their worst, and as you go back we’re really hoping to find a reason to sympathise. I think, or I hope, that people tuning in are holding on for some sort of humanity and praying that you find something that can somehow make sense of all this stuff. In that sense I don’t think it’s glamorising so much as investigating and doing what I think in storytelling is so important: you know how the story goes, but it’s the how and the why that really makes us rethink what’s in front of us.

Did you empathise with Andrew at all?

Well it’s my job, yeah. But that’s my job, it’s not the audience’s job. There’s no need to exonerate or forgive – these are horrible things that just break my heart, and people are still alive today that are still very much affected by the echoes of something 20 years ago. The thing about our show is I’m not just playing a killer: we see him at his best, and he was loved, and he had lovely moments with people. . . So the things I latch on to are the common denominators we can all relate to: wanting to be liked, wanting to take care of your friends, knowing what it’s like to want to rise above your station, unrequited love. So yeah I do, and I did, empathise with him, because you have to.



[. . . ]

Obviously Andrew has this chameleon identity, but when you were tackling the role did you see him as someone who was conflicted about his sexuality?

I mean I think he was constantly at war with himself. I think he utilised his homosexuality where it was convenient and where it gave him any kind of status, whether that was in the gay community or in the world at large. If it made him fun and different and interesting in certain circles he would abuse that power, but where it was frowned upon or subversive he would shy away from it where convenient. And whatever sexuality you identify with, to have that kind of dichotomy of you own identity is a pretty [destructive] thing, to never really be sure or when you can be yourself or not, or even what your self is. But what’s so interesting about the time and place in which the show happened, I feel like he world he was in almost inadvertently encouraged his behaviour. I think especially at that time, you know, right in the middle but after the AIDS scare in the United States, you have a lot of men who are, even if they’re out, struggling with where they stand on their gay identity. And when you have someone like Andrew caught in the middle of this i in a world where a lot of closeted men are living behind closed doors. And so Andrew compartmentalising different parts of himself to different people… if you saw how different he was acting, maybe you would sort of understand this if you were doing this in your own life. There was this understanding that compartmentalising your identity was the way you could survive at this sort of time.

Do I think he was conflicted? Yeah. But unfortunately, that conflict was kind of supported unconsciously at the time. It’s a crime of the times. I mean, this the largest failed manhunt in FBI history, ever. And it has a lot to do with this disconnect between government bodies and this fear and misunderstanding of gay communities. [Andrew] was out in the open, in broad daylight, and they couldn’t find him. That has to do less with the genius of Andrew – although hat’s a big part of it – but also the disconnect of government bodies like the FBI.

Radio Times wrote:
The Assassination of Gianni Versace: Darren Criss explains how he succeeded in ‘humanising’ killer Andrew Cunanan

April 25, 2018

. . . The second season of Ryan Murphy’s American Crime Story . . .  could go on . . . as the springboard for Darren Criss, the magnetic young actor who stars as serial killer Andrew Cunanan.

[. . . ]

It represented a huge challenge for actor Criss, who is best known for his role in musical sitcom Glee. How could he humanise the killer without exonerating him? How could he entertain without glamourising his atrocities?

[. . . ]

The actor is warm and thoughtful in person, taking each question down a series of meandering paths towards a thorough, considered answer. He doesn’t shy away from speculation about the drama’s wider conclusions about the murders, and has his own thoughts about the implications of Wednesday’s finale.

[. . . ]

Criss says that while he believed it was his responsibility as an actor to empathise with Cunanan, he doesn’t expect the same from viewers.

“There’s no need to exonerate or forgive – these are horrible things that just break my heart,” he says. “But with someone like Andrew, it doesn’t boil down to just the most horrible things he’s ever done. The pallet of the human experience is so many colours and so many things, and the great thing about our show is that I’m not just playing ‘The Killer’: I’m playing a real person, who had wonderful moments, and we see him at his best, and he was loved, and had really lovely moments with people.”

[. . . ]

“But, I hope they [the Versace family and the families of the other victims] understand that we’re not exploiting a story for commercial value. There’s a larger story at play here that isn’t necessarily about this one horrible thing, which is the Versace murder, but an investigation and exploration of the time and the tragedies which that entails.”

Digital Spy wrote:
Darren Criss responds to American Crime Story: Versace backlash: "It's not exploitative"



April 25, 2018

The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story has proven a hit with a critics, who have called the show "dark and complex and tragic" (The Guardian) and the lead performance from Darren Criss "electrifying" (Newsday).

[. . . ]

Former Glee star Criss, . . .  has won universal acclaim for his portrayal of Cunanan. . .

[. . . ]

In a message to the Versace family, Criss said that he and the team who worked on The Assassination of Gianni Versace were "not exploiting a story for commercial value".

"There's a larger story at play here, one that isn't necessarily about this one horrible thing, which is the Versace murder. It's an investigation and exploration of the time, and of course, the other victims that, until now, haven't really had a whole lot of voice – at least in popular culture. I think it's important, talking about them.

"If I'd ever had the chance to meet Gianni Versace, I would have hoped that he would understand that we're trying to create some kind of light out of this darkness. It's not exploitative. Like all good storytelling, it's meant to beg questions and really have us think about things beyond what's right in front of us."

[. . . ]



Criss went on to dismiss the idea that the TV series in any way "glamourises" the path that Cunanan took, adding that it portrays his actions as "obviously deplorable".

"It's pretty clear-cut on the moral spectrum where we stand. So I don't think it glamorises it. If anything, it just sort of begs the question: how do we get here? And how does this happen?"

Nylon Espanol wrote:
ENTREVISTA CON DARREN CRISS

Abril 03, 2018


Carlos Meza

I honestly believe that the performance in ACS Versace as Andrew Cunanan, along with your music is going to take you to other levels of fame, because you are a revelation.

I’m glad you say that, but for me it’s a bit strange to expect that to be the reaction with any job, although I hope you’re right. I can tell you that I put the same dedication as in any other project.

That’s the strangest thing about being an actor, you can work in the same way.. you put your passion Into everything and the actors show how good they are depending on the opportunities they get. And that does not depend on yourself, it’s a combination of different circumstances, what shows is it? The time it’s on? The day? The channel. This is the second season of a show that was very successful and we also have an excellent cast like Penéope Cruz, Édgar Ramírez, Ricky Martin, there are many things out of my control, and I’m really very grateful. There are actors who work all their lives and are never recognized, not because they are bad actors, sometimes the show was at another time or the plot was not good.



How much did you know about Andrew Cunanan before getting involved with the show?
Not much, I only knew about the horrible things he did. I was not very familiar with him.

How did you get the role of Andrew Cunanan?
Ryan Murphy who is also a producer of GLEE, met with me one day about three years ago and he still had not done the O.J. series. He mentioned that he had the idea to tell the story about the murder of Gianni Versace and he asked me how much I knew about Andrew Cunanan? I just knew he was the guy that killed Versace. He was alike to me ethnically. So years went by and he asked me to do it.

Ryan told me “I would not do it without you” which I appreciated but I also started thinking. Who is half Filipino? and resembles Cunanan if it’s not me?, I’m glad I did it. Actors are like tools in a box waiting to be used.

Do you think Andrew was a lucky killer or just that the FBI was not interested in the case?

I think that’s what’s interesting about the show, not only is it about the murder but also the reasons surrounding the case, the crime within the crime, with OJ you see the trial but also the racism that existed in Los Angeles. And in our case we have the murders that Andrew committed, but also the negligence and blindness that the police and the FBI had in the crimes for being cases linked to homosexuals. And add the homophobia that occurred at that time, it let the cases dissipate and get out of hand. I would not say that he was lucky, he is a man with a tragic life who would have had an excellent future because he had many skills, but those same gifts hurt him and destroyed his persona, it is a Shakespearian tragedy. The whole case is a Greek tragedy and like the world he lived in, it let him get away with it.

@BBCiPlayer: Gianni Versace’s death shocked the fashion world. We know how the story ended, but how did it begin? #ACSVersace

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Please direct questions or comments to my personal blog

So this is finally (FINALLY) done! I’ve been working on this project since episode 2 and inserting episodes as they come out, but around episode 7 I accidentally deleted my video files and had to start over again, which is why it’s out a little later than I wanted. It all worked out in the end though.

Notes:
- Some liberties were taken in balancing the real life timeline and ACS’ own timeline which the show can’t even stick to sometimes.

- Unfortunately I can’t make any edits or correct any errors in parts 1 and 2. The project was eating up massive storage space and I had to delete them.

- It turns out that the edit doesn’t easily go from episodes 8 to 1, then 9. The timeline order: 8, 1, 5, 7, 2, 7, 5, 7, 6, 5, 4, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 9, 1, 9, 2, 9. It’s a fucking roller coaster.

- Thanks to @musexmoirai for giving me advice on a section/arc that imo turned out beautifully and changed my perspective on an episode I previously felt lukewarm about. A side effect of re-arranging scenes is that some of the connecting themes get pulled apart, but at the same time there are opportunities to build something new(ish) with pieces that you didn’t know could connect. I think this kind of exercise justifies the existence of a recut.

- If the videos get taken down, just PM me and I’ll send private download links.

Wow thank you SO much for doing this!!!

One of us (the crazy one) was actually working on this too, but hadn’t gotten nearly as far. It’s great that you have already made it happen! 

We know many folks are just going to watch 8-1 and then 9 as we talked about way back at the beginning, but we already were thinking it makes more sense to do full chronological order. We’ll help spread the word. And again, thanks!!!

*When you’ve spent three months waiting and finally all episodes of #ACSVersace are available

nicolaseftaxias: The amazing @darrencriss for new Issue 34 Schön! Magazine by @_heleneriksson_ hair by @jeromehair makeup by @torusakanishi casting @anissapayne words @evanrosskatz retouch @amanda.sperry styling by me xoxo @diorhomme @kris_van_assche #actor #ACSVersace#darrencriss such a pleasure to work with him! You are the best! Many many thanks to all the team ! #schonmagazine #nyc #lovehim

*W/ @DarrenCriss he’s a lovely person, very friendly, very thoughtful and very humble.  An honor meeting one of the actors of a fantastic series that I love  

*I’m still shaking he’s so cute and so humble @darrencriss welcome to Mexico