In the new breakout mini TV series, “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story,” based on Jeffery Toobin’s “The Run of His Life: The People v. O.J. Simpson,” features an all-star cast starring Cuba Gooding Jr. portraying the major role of O.J. Simpson.
According to cable ratings, 5.11 million viewers tuned into FX on February 2, 2016 in the season opener of “The People v. O.J. Simpson,” episode one, From the Ashes of Tragedy. It opens up with the horrific scene of Nicole Brown and Ronald Goldman both found brutally murdered at the entrance of her home. Meanwhile, O.J. Simpson departs for his flight to Chicago during the wee hours of the morning.
The role of district attorney Marcia Clark is portrayed by Sarah Paulson, who immediately takes on the case. John Travolta as Robert Shapiro, a celebrity lawyer, is hired as Simpson’s attorney by close friend Robert Kardashian, who is played by “Friends” actor David Schwimmer. The episode concludes with a cliffhanger of Simpson being charged for double homicide and fleeing from the Kardashian home along with Al Cowlings in the infamous white Ford Bronco.
In episode two, The Run of His Life, O.J. Simpson is on the run, leaving behind a possible suicide letter read in a press conference by Robert Kardashian. Various tips pour in to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) that Simpson has been seen on a major freeway in Los Angeles, which prompts the beginning of breaking news highlighting a low-speed chase of a suicidal Simpson in an effort to reach his Brentwood home. Once there, he is privately arrested and charged with the double homicide of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman.
In the most recent episode, The Dream Team, Simpson is now in custody facing the death penalty if found guilty. Shapiro decides to defend the case as the LAPD is labeled racist and charged with tampering with evidence. The episode concludes with both Kardashian and Shapiro bringing on the final member of Simpson’s defense “dream” team, Courtney B. Vance as Johnnie Cochran.
Each episode so far has captured the dramatic essence of O.J. Simpson’s life as he moved from America’s once-loved athlete to branded murderer. Gooding gives an exceptional performance in capturing the life of Simpson, along with an esteemed supporting cast representing each person involved in the high-profile case. Tuesday nights have now become much-awaited evenings to watch the historical events get recreated into this compelling mini-series.
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