Penelope Cruz set to play Donatella Versace in new American Crime Story

The new season will follow the investigation into the murder of Gianni Versace 
New role: Penelope Cruz will play Donatella Versace in new American Crime Story
Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Jennifer Ruby21 March 2017

Penelope Cruz has been cast as fashion world icon Donatella Versace in the brand new season of American Crime Story.

The Spanish actress will play the Italian designer in the acclaimed anthology series, exploring the investigation into the 1997 murder of Gianni Versace by Andrew Cunanan.

Following on from the award-winning The People v. OJ Simpson, the news series will co-star Edgar Ramireza as Versace and Darren Criss as Cunanan.

Set to air in 2018, the series will be based on Maureen Orth’s book, Vulgar Favours, with Ryan Murphy on board to direct.

Lady Gaga had previously been rumoured to be in the running for the role after her successful guest role in American Horror Story.

Back in January, Murphy told Variety: “She's a friend. But she’s very busy this next year - she's doing Super Bowl and then she's doing A Star Is Born and I believe that she’s going on tour.

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“And when you're going to do a show like Versace, it's a five-month commitment, it's a very big show, we're shooting it all over the world.

“So I just don’t think with her schedule, I knew that it would never had worked. But I would love to work with her on something in the future."

The second season of the American Crime Story, following the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, will air later this year.

Annette Bening will play Kathleen Blanco, the governor of Louisiana, while Sarah Paulson has also been confirmed to return.

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