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  3. The Assassination of Gianni Versace: See the real-life inspiration

The Assassination of Gianni Versace: See the real-life inspiration

By Tim Stack January 17, 2018 at 08:00 AM EST
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Gianni Versace; Edgar Ramirez as Gianni Versace

Gianni-Versace
Credit: REX/Shutterstock; Jeff Daly/FX

The 40-year-old Joy actor was Ryan Murphy's first choice to play the fashion designer. "I just kept attacking Edgar in a very friendly way," Murphy tells EW. "Finally, he was like, 'I get it; I'll do it.'"

The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story premieres on Jan. 17 at 10 p.m. on FX.

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Donatella Versace; Penelope Cruz as Donatella Versace

Donatella-Versace
Credit: Rose Hartman/Getty Images; Jeff Daly/FX

"It took me a while to figure out what I wanted," Murphy admits of casting the role of Versace's sister. He eventually landed on the 43-year-old actress. "She said, 'I'm afraid to do this, so I think that's why I should do it.'"

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Antonio D'Amico; Ricky Martin as Antonio D'Amico

Antonio-DAmico
Credit: Alberto Roveri/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images; Jeff Daly/FX

"Ricky really fought for it. He wanted to do something dramatic and different," says Murphy of the 46-year-old singer. "That's part of the joy of what I do: seeing something no one else has seen."

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Andrew Cunanan; Darren Criss as Andrew Cunanan

criss
Credit: REX/Shutterstock; Ray Mickshaw/FX

Having worked with the 30-year-old on Glee, Murphy knew full well what Criss was capable of. "Darren can and has successfully done sexualized, darker parts. I was like, 'I think that can be interesting.'"

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Marilyn Miglin; Judith Light as Marilyn Miglin

Marilyn-Miglin
Credit: HSN; Pari Dukovic/FX

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Lee Miglin; Mike Farrell as Lee Miglin

2way
Credit: John Reilly/Sygma/Getty Images; Ray Mickshaw/FX

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Jeff Trail; Finn Wittrock as Jeff Trail

trail
Credit: AP/REX/Shutterstock; Pari Dukovic/FX

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David Madsen; Cody Fern as David Madsen

madsen
Credit: AP/REX/Shutterstock; Pari Dukovic/FX

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Detective George Navarro; José Zúñiga as Detective George Navarro

Jose-Zuniga
Credit: NBC; FX

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    1 of 9 Gianni Versace; Edgar Ramirez as Gianni Versace
    2 of 9 Donatella Versace; Penelope Cruz as Donatella Versace
    3 of 9 Antonio D'Amico; Ricky Martin as Antonio D'Amico
    4 of 9 Andrew Cunanan; Darren Criss as Andrew Cunanan
    5 of 9 Marilyn Miglin; Judith Light as Marilyn Miglin
    6 of 9 Lee Miglin; Mike Farrell as Lee Miglin
    7 of 9 Jeff Trail; Finn Wittrock as Jeff Trail
    8 of 9 David Madsen; Cody Fern as David Madsen
    9 of 9 Detective George Navarro; José Zúñiga as Detective George Navarro

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