Ryan Murphy has several movies and TV shows releasing in 2020. The writer/director/producer is best known for his work with TV series, but he also has hefty experience with full-length films. Murphy will look to expand his resume in both TV and film in one of his busiest years to date.
Murphy was the creative mastermind behind a number of hit TV series like Nip/Tuck, Glee, and American Horror Story, the latter of which changed the landscape of TV with the anthology format which he followed up with the creation of American Crime Story. In the past few years, the jack-of-all-trades added to his ever-growing list of projects with the introduction of The Normal Hearts, Scream Queens, Feud, and others.
Murphy has a knack for acquiring talent and it’s no question why many of the actors in his titles return to work with the creator time and time again. The majority of Murphy’s projects aired on FX or Fox but in 2018, he was hired by Netflix with a contract lasting five years. This opened the door to new opportunities for both Murphy and Netflix. That said, here’s every TV show and movie set to release in 2020 with Murphy’s name attached.
9-1-1: Lone Star – January 19
Following the success of Murphy’s procedural drama, 9-1-1, Fox ordered a spinoff titled 9-1-1: Lone Star. The series centers on an NYC firefighter, Owen Strand (Rob Lowe), who relocates to Austin, Texas, along with his son. Owen will be faced with his own issues as he dives into the world of Texas firefighters, first responders, police officers, and paramedics. Liv Tyler stars as the female lead in a cast that also includes Jim Parrack, Ronen Rubinstein, Sierra McClain, Natacha Karam, and Brian Michael Smith. The original series is currently in the midst of airing its third season.
Hollywood – May
Hollywood is set to drop on Netflix in May as part of Murphy’s mega-deal with Netflix. Murphy has stated that the series is a “love letter to the Golden Age of Tinseltown” and is said to be set in 1940s Hollywood, covering multiple events from that time period. Darren Criss, an avid collaborator with Murphy, will lead the series along with other vets from some of the creator’s other shows including David Corenswet, Jim Parsons, Joe Mantello, Dylan McDermott, and Patti LuPone. The cast will also feature Jeremy Pope, Samara Weaving, Maude Apatow, Laura Harrier, Jake Picking, and Holland Taylor.
American Horror Story Season 10 – September
American Horror Story, Murphy’s longest-running project to date, will return this fall for its milestone tenth season. There is no word yet regarding the theme for the upcoming season of the horror anthology. Speculation has been focused on the return of aliens or possibly something to do with urban legends. During FX’s recent TCA panel, it was announced that American Horror Story has been renewed through season 13. Series alum Sarah Paulson also revealed that she will be returning for season 10 in a central role. Other series vets are also expected to return for the new installment.
Ratched – TBA
The upcoming Netflix drama will serve as an origin story to Mildred Ratched, the sadistic nurse featured in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. The character was first played by Louise Fletcher in the 1975 film based on the book by Ken Kesey. The prequel will begin in 1947 as it follows Ratched’s journey through the mental health care system. Sarah Paulson is portraying the titular character with a stellar cast that also includes Finn Wittrock, Judy Davis, Cynthia Nixon, Sharon Stone, Vincent D’Onofrio, and Don Cheadle. A premiere date for Ratched has yet to be announced for the series executive produced by Murphy, but it’s expected to debut in 2020.
The Boys In The Band – TBA
The Boys in the Band is produced by Murphy but directed by Joe Mantello. The forthcoming Netflix film will serve as an adaptation of the 1968 play of the same name. Mantello was at the helm 50th anniversary Broadway revival of the play that focused on a group of gay men that come together to celebrate a birthday. The cast of the Broadway revival in 2018 is reprising their roles for the Netflix movie including Jim Parsons, Zachary Quinto, Matt Bomer, and Andrew Rannells. The project, set for a 2020 release, will feature a cast of entirely openly gay actors.
The Prom – TBA
The Boys in the Band won’t be Murphy’s only film to release in 2020 since The Prom is scheduled to debut on Netflix by the end of the year. Murphy is directing the musical comedy based on the Broadway production. It centers on Tony Award winner, Dee Dee Allen (Meryl Streep), and Barry Glickman (James Corden) reeling from their failed musical about Eleanor Roosevelt. To fix their reputation following career-ending reviews, the pair decide to get behind a charitable cause. Joined by Angie Dickinson (Nicole Kidman), the group travels to Indiana to help a lesbian whose high school is preventing her from bringing her girlfriend to prom. The movie also stars Andrew Rannells, Jo Ellen Pellman, Awkwafina, Keegan-Michael Key, and Kerry Washington.
Ryan Murphy Movies & TV Shows With Unconfirmed Release Dates
Murphy has several other movies and TV shows in the works, but it’s unclear if they will release in 2020. Pose was renewed for a third season at FX, and it’s likely that the acclaimed drama will return in 2020. The Politician also has a good chance to return in 2020 since it was renewed quickly after its Netflix debut in September 2019. Production of season 2 is reportedly already underway for the comedy-drama.
American Crime Story: Impeachment was expected to premiere in September 2020, but scheduling conflicts have since pushed the release date to early 2021. The AHS sister series also follows the anthology format and the upcoming installment will center on the Bill Clinton-Monica Lewinsky scandal. The season stars Sarah Paulson, Beanie Feldstein, Annaleigh Ashford, Clive Owen, and Anthony Green.
Ryan Murphy has additional projects in development but the details are currently limited. He’s working on a 10-episode miniseries based on A Chorus Line, along with a docuseries about Andy Warhol and a series focused on designer Halston featuring Ewan McGregor. All three projects will stream on Netflix, but it’s unclear when they will release.
