Aaron Hernandez American Sports Story: Trailer, Release Date, Cast

Patriots

Aaron Hernandez is the subject of Ryan Murphy’s “American Sports Story” on FX, premiering September 17.

First it was “American Horror Story,” then “American Crime Story.” Now TV super-producer Ryan Murphy is back with FX’s “American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez,” a 10-part dramatization of the former Patriots tight end’s life and downfall.

FX released the first teaser trailer for “American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez” on Wednesday, giving audiences a very brief preview of how the series will trace the rise and fall of Hernandez.

When Hernandez catches a pass from Tom Brady, he is called a “ticking time bomb” and a “waste of talent” off-screen. As Hernandez falls to the ground, images flash in rapid succession, including a brain scan alluding to Hernandez’s posthumous CTE diagnosis.

The trailer also includes a brief shot of Josh Andrés Rivera (“West Side Story”) in the role of Hernandez in a reenactment of the moment when the police lead him out of his house in handcuffs in connection with the murder of Odin Lloyd.

Hernandez made an immediate impression with the Patriots after his draft in 2010, forming an impressive tight end duo with Rob Gronkowski during their three seasons together.

The player’s life took a dramatic turn in 2013 when he was charged with premeditated murder in Lloyd’s death. Hernandez was found guilty in 2015 and committed suicide in 2017 while serving a life sentence.

“American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez” – Cast

In addition to Rivera in the role of Hernandez, “American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez” will feature a number of character actors and cast members best known for their work on Broadway.

The show stars Jaylen Barron (“Blindspotting”) as Hernandez’s fiancée Shayanna Jenkins, Lindsay Mendez (“Carousel”) as Hernandez’s cousin Tanya Singleton, Ean Castellanos (“High Maintenance”) as Hernandez’s brother DJ, Tammy Blanchard (“Tallulah”) as Hernandez’s mother, Tony Yazbeck (“On the Town”) as former Florida coach Urban Meyer, Patrick Schwarzenegger (“Gen V”) as Hernandez’s college teammate Tim Tebow and Norbert Leo Butz as former Patriots coach Bill Belichick.

“American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez” is based on “Gladiator: Aaron Hernandez and Football Inc.,” a 2018 podcast produced by The Boston Globe and Wondery. In addition to Murphy and several others, the show is produced by Globe publisher Linda Pizzuti Henry and vice president of new media Ira Napoliello.

The first two episodes of “American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez” will air on FX on September 17 at 10 p.m. The show will also stream on Hulu the next day.

Watch: “American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez”