‘The Shards’ Star Igby Rigney on Wooing Ryan Murphy, Never Meeting Bret Easton Ellis and Not Worrying About Sex Scenes: ‘It’s Like Doing a Dance Under a Microscope’

Rigney plays Bret in “The Shards,” Ryan Murphy’s adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis’ 2023 autofiction opus that follows the author in his high school years. Ryan Murphy said at the New York premiere that about 500 actors auditioned for “The Shards.” That’s where I met [future co-stars] Graham [Campbell] and Hayes [Warner] at that initial callback with Ryan. I came in, and Ryan asked, “Have you read the book?” I mean, he’s been involved with the crafting of the character, but he’s been working with Ryan primarily.