American Crime Story cast talk Versace’s murder in clip

In the latest preview for The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story, the cast and crew delve into how society’s view of the gay community played into the fatal shooting of the famed fashion designer by serial killer Andrew Cunanan.

‘For every season of American Crime Story,’ executive producer Nina Jacobson said, ‘what we’re interested in is, what makes this an American crime – a crime that America is guilty of, not just the characters we’re exploring.’

The new preview intersperses scenes from the upcoming miniseries, with previously-unseen glimpses at the characters surrounding the violent tragedy.

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American tragedy: The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story features Edgar Ramirez (L) as the ill-fated designer, and his killer Andrew Cunanan played by Darren Criss (R). A preview for the miniseries sheds more light on the social issues embedded in the crime story

Versace was gunned down at his South Florida mansion on July 15, 1997 by Cunanan, who was already on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives after killing five men in three months prior to shooting Versace.

‘This particular manhunt is the largest failed FBI manhunt in history,’ said the actor who plays Cunanan in Ryan Murphy’s upcoming FX miniseries, Darren Criss. ‘The truth is, fear and prejudice is always in fashion.’

Edgar Ramirez, who stars as the late Italian fashion icon in the miniseries, said the detailed program will help viewers ‘understand how [Versace’s murder] could’ve been avoided.’

Executive producer Brad Simpson said the story of Cunanan ‘is a journey through the politics of homosexuality as they play out across America in the 1990s.’

Shocking: The timeline surrounding Cunanan ‘is a journey through the politics of homosexuality as they play out across America in the 1990s,’ executive producer Brad Simpson said 

Strong cast: Versace’s partner, Antonio D’Amico, is played by Ricky Martin (L)  in the FX production

Penelope Cruz, who plays Donatella Versace in the production, said that ‘nobody expected’ what had happened to the designer in the summer of 1997.

Versace’s partner, Antonio D’Amico, is played by Ricky Martin, who recalled the terror that arose from the deadly spree by Cunanan, who committed suicide eight days after killing Versace as he hid a house boat in South Florida.

‘People were scared: The fact that this man was killing gay men … still, some people don’t understand why it happened,’ Martin said.

Tragic end: Versace was gunned down at his Florida mansion on July 15, 1997 

Graphic: The Ryan Murphy-produced episodes illustrate the gory details of the murder

Bold: Martin said that ‘authorities somewhat turned away and allowed [Cunanan’s killings] to happen’ because the victims were gay men

Martin, in a chat with Haute Living Miami earlier this month, said that ‘intolerance was a very real thing’ hindering the ‘LGBTQ community in the 90s,’ a key factor Murphy sought ‘to point out with the making of this movie.

‘Cunanan was in Miami Beach for many weeks, and he was not hiding at all – he was on the list of the most wanted men by the FBI back then – what do you mean they didn’t find him before it happened? 

Rampage: The details of the investigation of Cunanan are delved into in the FX miniseries 

Star power: Penelope Cruz plays Versace’s sister Donatella in the production

Star-crossed: The miniseries shows Cunanan’s path amid his murder spree

‘It’s not only the question of why he did it, but also, how did we allow that to happen?’

Martin gave his opinion of the chain of events to the magazine, as he said, ‘I think because he was killing gay men, authorities somewhat turned away and allowed it to happen.’

The Assassination of Gianni Versace is based on Maureen Orth’s 1999 book Vulgar Favors. The 10-episode series is set to begin January 17 on FX.

Highly-anticipated: The Assassination of Gianni Versace is based on Maureen Orth’s 1999 book Vulgar Favors. The 10-episode series is set to begin January 17 on FX