Penelope Cruz has been confirmed to have a lead role in the third season of FX’s American Crime Story, which will be called Versace: American Crime Story. Cruz will be portraying the fashion icon Donatella Versace. The season will cover the murder of Donatella’s brother Gianni Versace, the original head of the fashion empire. The season is due to premiere in 2018.
Earlier this year, there were reports that Lady Gaga would portray the fashion icon (given their physical similarity, and that she worked on Murphy’s other show American Horror Story, this seemed logical casting). But given Gaga’s busy schedule (and lack of acting experience) these reports were dismissed in January, and Cruz’s acting talent and natural charisma must have won over American Crime Story creator Ryan Murphy. An Oscar-winning actress, this will mark Cruz’s first time as a regular on a television series. Edgar Ramirez is set to portray fashion designer Gianni Versace and Darren Criss to portray his murderer Andrew Cunanan.
Before the third season, look for the second season of American Crime Story to cover Hurricane Katrina, starring Annette Bening and Matthew Broderick (and rumored to feature many stars from the crucially-acclaimed first season The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story, such as Sarah Paulson, John Travolta, Courtney B. Vance, and Cuba Gooding Jr.)
Cruz recently worked on the Spanish comedy/drama film Queen of Spain, which filmed in her native Spain (but unfortunately did not make it stateside). Look for her later this year in the film adaptation of Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express, alongside Kenneth Branagh, Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Josh Gad, and Judi Dench. In 2018, look for her and Edgar Ramirez to share the screen yet again in the feature film Love Child.