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“Our goal is to show you the behind-the-scenes mechanizations of crimes, stuff that you didn’t know… When I read the scripts, I didn’t know half the stuff [that occurred]. I’m like, ‘That happened? That happened?’ I think people will find them so illuminating. I did.”

Words from executive producer and director Ryan Murphy talking to USA Today about his upcoming FX series that focuses on the O.J. Simpson’s murder trial courtroom saga, which apparently will surprise viewers with new info that, it appears (based on his above comment), wasn’t made public. He also added raves about Cuba Gooding Jr.’s performance as O.J. Simpson.

It’s one of 2 projects based on infamous 1990s court cases coming to our TV screens next season – the other being HBO’s scripted movie based on the Anita Hill/Clarence Thomas Supreme Court hearings, titled "Confirmation," which stars Kerry Washington and Wendell Pierce in the lead roles, with Rick Famuyiwa directing.

Ryan Murphy’s "American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson," which will air on the FX network, will unfold over a 10-episode first season ("American Crime Story" will be a new franchise, just like "American Horror Story") and is based on the book "The Run of His Life: The People v. O.J. Simpson" by Jeffrey Toobin, which provides audiences with a look at the O.J. Simpson trial told from the perspective of the lawyers that explored the chaotic behind-the-scenes dealings and maneuvering on both sides of the court, and how a combination of prosecution confidence, defense wiliness, and the LAPD’s history with the city’s black community gave a jury what it needed: reasonable doubt.

So this is much less about the actual crime itself, as the story takes place after their murders (the court trial that followed), and there will be no flashbacks.

Cuba Gooding Jr. plays O.J., while Sarah Paulson is prosecutor Marcia Clark, Courtney B. Vance plays the late Johnny Cochran, David Schwimmer is Robert Kardashian, John Travolta plays Robert Shapiro, and Billy Magnussen as Kato Kaelin.

Malcolm-Jamal Warner is A.C. Cowlings, the former pro football player and friend of the defendant, who was also the driver of the white Ford Bronco in the infamous televised police chase; Selma Blair is Kris Kardashian and Connie Britton is Faye Resnick.

The real O.J. Simpson is not involved in the series in any way, nor will he benefit financially from it.

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