Tony nominee Tony Yazbeck and Tony winner Lindsay Mendez are headed to the small screen for roles in Ryan Murphy's anthology series American Sports Story on FX.
This is the first sports-themed narrative in Murphy's "American Story" franchise, centering around NFL star Aaron Hernandez. Josh Andrés Rivera will lead the cast as Hernandez, the New England Patriots player who committed suicide in prison after a murder conviction. According to Deadline, Yazbeck will have a recurring role as Urban Meyer, head coach of the University of Florida, where Hernandez played before he went pro. Mendez will appear as a series regular as Hernandez's cousin Tanya Singleton.
The cast also includes Patrick Schwarzenegger as footballer Tim Tebow. The series is written by Stu Zicherman, based on the podcast Gladiator: Aaron Hernandez and Football Inc., produced by Boston Globe and Wondery.
Yazbeck was last seen on Broadway as Carey Grant in Flying Over Sunset at Lincoln Center Theater. He's Tony-nominated for his role in On The Town. Mendez, a Tony winner for Carousel, is currently on Broadway in the revival of Merrily We Roll Along.
No release date for the new series has been announced.