By Mariel Turner
8:50am PST, Jan 11, 2018
After a hugely successful first season, "American Crime Story" is back to chronicle another real-life event that shocked the world. The second season of the FX anthology series details all the mischief, mayhem and intrigue that surrounded the murder of acclaimed fashion designer Gianni Versace at the hands of a serial killer. "The Assassination of Gianni Versace" debuts on Jan. 17, 2018, and Wonderwall.com has the scoop on all the real-life figures plus the actors who are portraying them. Keep reading to see who's playing whom in this epic crime drama…
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Donatella Versace is a powerhouse Italian fashion designer who took over brother Gianni Versace's label after his untimely death. Donatella is also vice president the Versace Group.
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Spanish actress Penelope Cruz takes on the role of Donatella Versace on "The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story." The 43 year old is a well-established Hollywood success, having previously starred in "Vanilla Sky," "Volver" and "Nine." She is also the first Spanish actress in history to win an Academy Award, which she did for her performance in "Vicky Cristina Barcelona." Based on her professional accomplishments, there's no doubt audiences will receive an amazing performance from the mother of two, who's been married to Javier Bardem since 2010.
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Gianni Versace was a beloved Italian fashion designer and founder of the iconic Versace label who enjoyed close friendships with many A-list actors, musicians models and even royals such as Princess Diana. Gianni was only 50 years old when serial killer Andrew Cunanan murdered him outside of his Miami home in 1997.
Edgar Ramirez stars as slain designer Gianni Versace on the second season of "American Crime Story." The Venezuelan actor and former journalist has built quite a resume in Hollywood, having previously been nominated for a Golden Globe and Emmy Award for his work in the 2010 film "Carlos." Edgar is also known for his performances in "The Bourne Ultimatum" and "Zero Dark Thirty."
Andrew Cunanan was the man who murdered Gianni Versace, along with at least four other people, when he was only 27 years old. Known for being a fantastical liar, Andrew went on a three-month killing spree in 1997 that ended with his own suicide.
Darren Criss takes on the role of Andrew Cunanan on "The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story." The 30-year-old actor began his career in musical theater before hitting it big with the role of Blaine Anderson on "Glee." Darren's also starred in "American Horror Story" and "Girl Most Likely" and released an album in 2017 with his indie pop band, Computer Games. He's been dating writer-producer Mia Swier for seven years.
Italian fashion designer Antonio D'Amico was Gianni Versace's long-time partner. The couple began dating in 1982. Gianni's will left Antonio a pension of 50 million Italian lira (which is about $30,000) a month for life plus the right to live in his homes in Italy and America. But due to some legal issues (the homes, for example, belonged to the Versace company), Antonio ultimately received just a fraction of the pension as well as a restricted right to live in his late lover's houses. Donatella Versace told The New York Times in 1999, "My relationship with Antonio is exactly as it was when Gianni was alive. I respected him as the boyfriend of my brother, but I never liked him as a person. So the relationship stayed the same."
Ricky Martin, who plays Gianni Versace's partner of 15 years, Antonio D'Amico, has really expanded his career since his "Livin' la Vida Loca" days in the 1990s. The Puerto Rican singer and actor (who's chart-topping hit is one of the best selling singles of all time) has released 10 successful albums as a solo artist, served as a coach on "The Voice: Australia" and headlined a successful Las Vegas residency that wraps up in the summer of 2018. On the personal side, he welcomed twin boys via surrogate in 2008 and revealed in early 2018 that he'd quietly married his longtime love, artist Jwan Yosef.
Santo Versace is the older brother of Gianni Versace and the president and co-CEO of the Versace company. With a degree in economics, Santo has overseen the business side of the design house. He's also served as an elected member of Italy's Chamber of Deputies — one house of the nation's bicameral parliament — since 2008.
Giovanni Cirfiera plays Santo Versace on "American Crime Story." The Italian actor has a background in economics, having previously earned a master's degree in the subject. Until now, he's only appeared in small acting roles on shows like "The Family" and "General Hospital."
Lee Miglin was a wealthy Chicago real estate developer and philanthropist who was gruesomely tortured and murdered by Andrew Cunanan. Lee was Andrew's fourth victim. At the time of his killing, he had been married to the "Queen of Makeovers," Home Shopping Network personality Mary Miglin, for 38 years.
Mike Farrell plays Lee Miglin on "The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story." Decades ago, Mike was Captain B.J. Hunnicutt on the television series "M*A*S*H." The 78 year old was also a producer on the Robin Williams hit "Patch Adams" and appeared as Eva Longoria's character's father-in-law on "Desperate Housewives."
Judith Light takes on the role of Home Shopping Network beauty guru Mary Miglin, the wife of murder victim Lee Miglin, on "The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story." Judith, a two-time Tony Award winner, has appeared on "Law & Order: SVU" and "Ugly Betty" but older audiences still likely remember her best as the star of beloved '80s sitcom "Who's the Boss?" In recent years, the 68-year-old actress has received Golden Globe, Emmy and Critics' Choice Award nominations for her work on the hit Amazon show "Transparent."
Max Greenfield stars as Ronnie on "American Crime Story." While not much was known about the character before "The Assassination of Gianni Versace" debuted, audiences can expect a powerful performance from Max, who's best known for his work as Schmidt on the FOX sitcom "New Girl" opposite Zooey Deschanel. The Emmy and Golden Globe nominee, who has two kids with his casting director wife, has also acted in "The Big Short," "Ice Age: Collision Course" and "Shot Caller."
Finn Wittrock takes on the role of Jeff Trail, Andrew Cunanan's first victim, on "The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story." Jeff was killed in April 1997 after he and Andrew got into an argument. Andrew subsequently beat Jeff to death with a claw hammer, rolled his body in a rug and left it in an apartment belonging to David Madson, his next victim. Finn is no stranger to acting in murder stories, having gotten his big break starring on "American Horror Story." The 33-year-old Emmy nominee has since branched out to films, appearing in projects such as "The Big Short," "The Normal Heart" and "La La Land."
"Nashville" alum Will Chase stars as Detective Paul Scrimshaw on "American Crime Story." Paul was the lead detective on the Gianni Versace case and was one of the first officials on the scene after the murder. "He had a very strong sense of right and wrong, and wanting to see justice prevail," his brother, David Scrimshaw, told the Associated Press when Paul died in 2006. Will, 47, began his career on Broadway with roles in "Rent," "Miss Saigon" and "Lennon." He then transitioned to television where he starred on hits such as in "Smash" and "White Collar."
"Orange Is The New Black" star Dascha Polanco takes on the role of Detective Lori Wieder, one of the lead detectives working the Italian designer's murder, on "The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story." The 35-year-old actress — who had no full-time acting experience prior to her role on "Orange" — has also appeared in "The Perfect Match" and "Joy." Dascha is a mother of two and a body-positive advocate.
Cody Fern stars as David Madson, Andrew Cunanan's second victim, on "The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story." David was a former lover of Andrew's who was found shot to death in Minnesota. Cody is an Australian actor who has appeared in a number of short films including "Still Take You Home" and "The Last Time I Saw Richard."
