Glee star Darren Criss’ latest role is a world away from the one that made him a TV star. In The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story, he plays spree-killer Andrew Cunanan.
In 1997, Andrew gunned down the Italian-born fashion icon outside his home in Miami. He’d killed four others in the three months prior.
The manhunt ended when he turned the gun on himself. Twenty years on, the killer’s motive remains unclear.
It’s a dark role for someone who rose to fame as singing, dancing Blaine Anderson in Glee. But Darren points out his latest character was all too human.
“People think what Andrew did was really far away from what they are capable of being or are,” Darren, 31, tells TV WEEK.
“The truth is, we all have access to the same thoughts and feelings someone like him had.”
Darren Criss stars as serial killer Andrew Cunanan.
The nine-part series also stars Édgar Ramírez as Gianni Versace, Penélope Cruz as Donatella Versace and Ricky Martin as Gianni’s partner, Antonio D’Amico.
Darren admits that between the challenging scenes, he and Ricky would “blow off some steam” by singing together.
“Have I sung Ricky Martin songs with Ricky Martin?” he asks. “Yes I have – and it’s awesome!”
Darren will soon be touring the US with his former Glee co-star Lea Michele. The pair will sing Broadway tunes – and, of course, several songs from the TV show.
Meanwhile, former The Voice Australia coach Ricky Martin put his world tour on hold when he was offered a role in The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story.
The singer plays Antonio D’Amico, Gianni Versace’s long-time partner.
“I was living in Miami when Versace was killed,” he says. “I was obsessed with this character and project.”
The series lovingly portrays the 15-year relationship between Versace and D’Amico. It was he who found him on the steps after he’d been shot by Andrew.
Filming in the real Versace mansion, preserved as a boutique hotel, helped Ricky, 46, connect with the grief.
“I was waiting inside while they laid out Edgar on the steps,” he says. “It helped me so much to reach a level of sadness. All I had to do was see him covered in blood and hear ‘Action!’ to let it out.”
Édgar Ramírez as Gianni Versace, and Ricky Martin as Gianni’s partner, Antonio D’Amico.
The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story airs Thursday, 8:30pm on Showcase on Foxtel.
