FX has ordered 10 episodes of the first installment of Trust, which will tell the story of John Paul Getty III, heir to the Getty oil fortune.
The announcement was made today by Eric Schrier and Nick Grad, Presidents of Original Programming for FX Networks and FX Productions.
Equal parts family history, dynastic saga and satirical examination of the corrosive power of money, Trust is a story that attempts to unlock the mystery at the heart of every family, rich or poor.
The first installment takes place in 1973, when the young Getty is kidnapped in Rome and his mafia captors are banking on a multi-million dollar ransom. After all, what rich family wouldn’t pay for the return of a loved one?
Trust charts the young man’s nightmare ordeal at the hands of kidnappers who cannot understand why nobody seems to want their captive back. The Italian police think it’s a prank and decline to investigate.
“Simon, Danny and Christian have done a magnificent job of telling the story of the Getty family empire and its tumultuous history with Trust,” said Schrier. “Simon’s script wonderfully dramatizes the notorious and bizarre kidnapping of J. Paul Getty’s grandson. It’s the perfect way to open this limited series, allowing us to see how three generations, including one of the world’s richest men, clash when family, fortune and reputation are in jeopardy.”
The limited series is being Executive Produced by Simon Beaufoy, Danny Boyle and Christian Colson. Written by Beaufoy and directed by Boyle, the 10-part limited series will be produced by FX Productions, Cloud Eight Films, Decibel Films and Snicket Films Limited.