Josh Andrés Rivera is set to play Aaron Hernandez in “American Sports Story” at FX, Variety has confirmed. In addition, Patrick Schwarzenegger will star as Tim Tebow.
“American Sports Story” was originally ordered at FX back in August 2021. It is designed to be a scripted anthological limited series focusing on a prominent event and/or figure in the sports world, but seen through today’s lens and told through multiple perspectives. The first season is based on the podcast “Gladiator: Aaron Hernandez and Football Inc” from the Boston Globe and Wondery.
It will examine the “rise and fall” of Hernandez, including looking into his identity, his family, his career, his death and his legacy. Hernandez was a tight end for the New England Patriots of the NFL before he was convicted for murder. He ultimately took his own life in prison in 2017.
Production on the series had begun earlier this year but is currently on hold due to the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike. Both roles were cast earlier this year prior to the strike but never confirmed by FX.
Rivera is best known for starring as Chino in Steven Spielberg’s 2021 remake of the iconic musical “West Side Story,” which marked his onscreen debut. He is also set to appear in the upcoming prequel film “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes.” He is repped by Paradigm, Silver Lining Entertainment, and Jackoway Austen Tyerman.
Schwarzenegger most recently appeared in “The Boys” spinoff “Gen V” at Prime Video. He is also known for his work on shows like “The Terminal List,” “The Staircase,” and “The Long Road Home.” He has also been in features such as “Midnight Sun” and “Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse.” He is repped by UTA and Management 360.
Stu Zicherman writes and executive produces. Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson also executive produce alongside Martin Woodall, Wondery’s Hernan Lopez and Marshall Lewy of Wondery and The Boston Globe’s Linda Pizutti Henry and Ira Napoliello. 20th Television is the studio.
“American Sports Story” is one of multiple “American Story” anthology series at FX. There is also the upcoming “American Love Story” as well as established shows like “American Crime Story,” “American Horror Story,” and “American Horror Stories.”
Indie Wire first broke the news of Rivera’s casting.