Fil-Am Actor Darren Criss To Play Andrew Cunanan In American Crime Story

Filipino-American actor and singer Darren Criss takes on his most challenging role – as Andrew Cunanan in The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story. The former Glee cast member is currently shooting the miniseries, which sets to air in 2018.

According to an Inquirer report, the show’s producer Ryan Murphy picked Criss for the role because he knew of the actor’s potential to be “a great dramatic actor.” Murphy  and Criss had worked together in Glee.

From High Schooler Blaine Anderson To Serial Killer Andrew Cunanan

Darren Criss previous played the role of high school Blaine Anderson in the award-winning series Glee. In the series, he was able to show not only his acting chops but also his singing. Criss is also known for his role in Broadway musicals.

In an interview with the Inquirer, he admits that he has come a long way since he started his acting career. He acknowledges that this is a big opportunity for me. He says, “I do feel like my ship came in for this one. Glee was a big hit before I was on it. I had a very objective relationship with it. I was in college when it was all over the place. So, to suddenly be thrust on it was a strange but very wonderful experience.” At the same time, he also says that he is ready and excited to take on this challenge.

“Humanizing” The Serial Killer

Possibly one of the reasons why he was chosen for the role is his resemblance to how Cunanan looks. Like the character he plays, Criss is also half-Filipino, having been born to a Filipina mother and an American father.

When he was asked about how he prepared himself to play the killer, he says that he mainly abides by the script. But he also reveals that in the series, the killer is not portrayed as a monster, but instead as a person who has his bad days and his good days. He adds, “we get to see Andrew at his worst and his absolute best.”

Criss plays alongside Edgar Ramirez as Gianni Versace, Penelope Cruz as Donatella, Gianni’s sister and Ricky Martin as Antonio D’Amico, Versace’s partner.