Uncertain Future for The Shards
More than three weeks after its season finale aired in early August, FX has not announced whether The Shards will return for a second season. The finale concluded with a significant cliffhanger, leaving the story unresolved. The lack of news is not unusual for FX, which has previously taken months to renew critically praised shows such as Adults and The Lowdown. The network, owned by Disney, appears willing to wait for creator Ryan Murphy to be ready with a new idea before committing to another season.[S1]
Unlike Murphy's anthology titles American Horror Story and Feud, which have gone years between installments, The Shards is built to run continuously with one consistent cast across many seasons. Murphy has said the project means a great deal to him personally. It adapts Bret Easton Ellis's partly autobiographical book about early-1980s Los Angeles prep schoolers and a killer who may be hiding among them. Murphy recounted to The Hollywood Reporter that he sold Ellis on the idea by noting 1981, the novel's setting, was his own pivotal year at 16 — first date, learning to drive, losing his virginity.[S1]
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Ratings and Precedents
Outside Disney, little is known about how many people watch The Shards. Its initial FX broadcasts drew about 237,000 linear viewers on average, a small number that is now common for scripted cable. Streaming is expected to supply most of the audience, yet the series has not shown up in Nielsen's streaming top 10, and FX has kept its own figures private. Neither is surprising, since most FX shows miss those rankings and the network seldom reports ratings. The Shards is also the second Murphy FX series this year to close on a cliffhanger with no renewal; The Beauty ended in early March with threads unresolved and its cast was freed in July, while Love Story, which FX called a ratings success, likewise awaits word, though it may fit Murphy's anthology format.[S1]
Murphy holds a substantial overall deal with Disney's 20th Television and has a long history with both the studio and FX. Even during his time based at Netflix, his 20th-produced shows continued to produce new seasons. If The Shards is renewed, it may reflect those enduring relationships more than a validation of strong viewership. The situation highlights the complexities of greenlighting decisions in the streaming era, where traditional ratings matter less and creative partnerships can carry significant weight.[S1]
