Episode 1 | The Shards Official Audio Podcast

EVAN ROSS KATZ: Welcome to The Shards official podcast. I'm Evan Ross Katz, podcaster and pop culture provocateur. I can't wait to get into this shocking new show from FX and Ryan Murphy. It's got everything: murder, money, and mystery. It's only fitting that we kick things off with some of the stars of the show. They're at the center of the unfolding madness. 

It's Igby Rigney, Kaia Gerber, and Homer Gere. 

Thank you all for being here.  

IGBY RIGNEY: Thank you so much for having us.  

KAIA GERBER: Thanks for having us.  

HOMER GERE: Hi, Evan.  

EVAN ROSS KATZ: So I wanna start by asking you all about how this project came onto your radar, and Igby, I wanna start with you.  

IGBY RIGNEY: Perhaps in the most traditional and, uh, uh, boring way of, of as an actor, it, uh, it was just an audition. 

Um, I remember as soon as I read it, I w- I knew that I had to play this character, um, 'cause they, they were just so beautifully written and, and they just really hit a part of me. And, and I auditioned and I called back and I screen tested and chem read, and then, uh, and then I had the wonderful honor of playing the character of Brett. 

EVAN ROSS KATZ: Now, Kaia, you're no stranger to the Ryan Murphy universe. Um, and also you are an avid book reader, so I'm curious about how- Yes ... you found your way to this project.  

KAIA GERBER: Yes. I, well, I worked with Ryan on one of my first jobs. I did American Horror Stories, and then, um, when The Shards came out, I was reading it.

I'm such a Brett Easton Ellis fan. And right around the time I was reading it, I had a meeting with Brett about a different project and I said at the end of the meeting, I was like, "Hey, I just have to say I'm such a big fan and I'm reading The Shards," and he just looked at me and he was like, "You're Susan." 

And I was like, "Oh, well, I'm not Susan." I was like, "I'm, I'm nothing like Susan." But it really stuck with me. And then Homer's laughing, whatever. Um, and then Ryan called me, this is probably two or three years later, and was like, "I love you and Brett loves you, and we want you to play Susan." So I had a less traditional audition process than, um, than everyone else. 

EVAN ROSS KATZ: Hmm. And Homer, what about for you? How did you find your way into this role?  

HOMER GERE: I originally read for Tom, and then I sent in the Tom audition and I, uh, I heard back. They said, "We want, we want you to, to audition for Robert." And I was, I was o- actually on a trip. I was in Ireland, and we were, like, in a hostel, uh, with, like, recording on my iPhone.

But it went great. It went really great. Got called in to, uh, to read in LA, where I met, uh, Ryan and I met Igby and I met Graham. And I was so nervous, like completely. I did one read with, with Igby. We, we did two scenes, and I didn't know how it went, and they just said, "All right, Homer, you can go." And I thought that I'd completely screwed it up. 

And then I got a call from Ryan an hour later, and that was history.  

EVAN ROSS KATZ: So it's pretty clear even from this first episode that there is a lot of palpable tension within these three characters. And so I'm wondering, can each of you describe your perspective on how your character feels about the other two? 

HOMER GERE: The introduction is, is in episode one. Robert walks up to this table of people who he doesn't know- 

CLIP: Oh, hi. You must be Robert Mallory.  

You must be Susan I was just in Principal Cross office. He told me I should come say hi. Mm-hmm. So, hi.  

HOMER GERE: He takes a liking to these people. I think he wants to like Brett, but, but Brett has, has kind of a, a vendetta against Robert. And then I think  

KAIA GERBER: We're all gonna disagree about this. 

HOMER GERE: I know. It's, the thing about this is, is that, is that it leaves so much up to interpretation, that we all take the sides- Mm ... of our characters. Um-  

EVAN ROSS KATZ: Well, it's interesting you say that you feel like, uh, Robert likes Brett, 'cause I- that to me, it's like, that's super interesting. Igby, do you feel that way?  

IGBY RIGNEY: No. I, well, and I think the, the whole premise that he's walking up to a table full of people he doesn't know is absolutely false.

He clearly-  

HOMER GERE: See?  

IGBY RIGNEY: ... sought out Brett-  

HOMER GERE: You see?

IGBY RIGNEY: ... and sought out the table-

HOMER GERE: This is cra-

IGBY RIGNEY: ... at which Brett- 

HOMER GERE: I've never heard this before

IGBY RIGNEY: ... the character Brett was sitting. 

KAIA GERBER: The girls are fighting yet again.  

IGBY RIGNEY: From my and Brett's perspective, that was an incredibly calculated move, and, and something that was done intentionally. 

I don't know what the intention is yet.  

HOMER GERE: From the perspective of anyone sane, I would say Robert's just a normal guy in a new high school trying to make some friends, and Brett is just, you know, latching onto this guy for some-  

IGBY RIGNEY: And I would say that Robert was definitely in that movie theater in Westwood, uh, and he continues to, to not be upfront about that.

HOMER GERE: Well, listen, you're an unreliable narrator, so we can't really know. Oh?

KAIA GERBER: And Susan would say, "Everyone, let's take a deep breath. Why are we fighting? Can't we just all get along?"  

HOMER GERE: Let's, but me, Brett and Robert can agree that they both really like Susan. Mm-hmm. Susan is, is someone that they both wanna be close with and be, and be friends with. 

So, and that, I think it creates a lot of the tension between Brett and Robert.  

IGBY RIGNEY: Yeah, absolutely. I think there's, there's so much love, uh, that Brett has for Susan, and I think that's why he feels so protective of her and, and really wants to make sure that she's in a good place. And they are very, very close.

Um, and they, they grew up together. There's a, there's a childhood familiarity there that is, is so important to their dynamic.  

KAIA GERBER: Mm-hmm. And I, I think for Susan, you know, Brett is her best friend. They've known each other forever. They grew up together. I think Robert is this new person who comes, and this is a group of, of teenagers who have been around the same people their whole life, so suddenly there's this newness.

Also, you know, Susan is class president. I think she takes her responsibilities as a leader very seriously. So when she's told, you know, "Look out for this new kid coming to, to our school," it's, um, not only, you know, a responsibility for her, but also, I think, exciting, and who is this mysterious person? And we shot that. 

That was, actually, it was a gift. The first thing we, we shot was that lunch table scene where we meet Robert. And so, you know, it really was perfect for the dynamic of us as a cast and as characters because we had this opening bit of- The four of us, you know, Brett, Susan, Debbie, and Tom, and then you see Homer, or Robert, coming, walking up to us- 

in leather pants- In leather pants ... and his hair done, looking like a movie star or a rock star, and we all 

really, I think our characters and us as people were like, and it just completely changed the energy at the table. And so I think it was so informative to film that first, and I, I know Ryan did that on purpose, 'cause he's a genius in that way.  

EVAN ROSS KATZ: Uh, Homer, now Robert seems to be a different person to everybody. 

I mean, obviously we're meeting him right now, so there's a journey ahead, but I think it's fair to say at this point. Mm. How did you approach the shape-shifting quality of the character?  

HOMER GERE: It's really freeing as, as an actor playing him, 'cause there doesn't need to be a continuity in the same way. You don't know where he's coming from really, 'cause this is all Brett's perspective, that he doesn't need to be the same person with each person he's with.

He can be a reflection of, of them in some way. You know, the Robert that you see with Susan is a completely different person than the Robert you see with Brett, or even the Robert you see with Tom. So being able to, to have that extra license to play, uh, is really kind of unique.

EVAN ROSS KATZ: Igby, I'm curious about Brett's relationship with Robert.

It's clear that he's sort of trying to size him up and figure out exactly how he feels about him. At times he seems to be attracted. At other times he seems to be disgusted. How would you sort of articulate, uh, Brett's understanding of Robert?  

IGBY RIGNEY: I think that Brett and Susan are attracted to Robert for a lot of the same reasons.

I think that's one of the reasons that they're close to begin with, is they both have this awareness of a world outside of high school.  

CLIP: We were just talking about how excited we were to graduate and, and get the hell out of Los Angeles, finally start our lives. For sure I'm going to school on the East Coast. 

Not even a question.  

IGBY RIGNEY: And Robert is entering their lives at a time where that's becoming a bigger consideration. So I think Brett is, is seeing the attraction of Robert in that way, because he does represent some larger ideas, and he's also figuring out his sexuality. Robert may be on a similar journey, uh, from Brett's-

HOMER GERE: Robert already knows, babe

IGBY RIGNEY: perspective.

HOMER GERE: Robert's well aware.  

IGBY RIGNEY: So. 

EVAN ROSS KATZ: So I get the impression that you all really like each other. Is that a fair assessment?  

HOMER GERE: Hell yeah. We-

IGBY RIGNEY: Maybe a little bit.  

KAIA GERBER: There's one person we all don't like, but we're not gonna tell you who.

HOMER GERE: We're not gonna tell you which. So

EVAN ROSS KATZ: I'm curious, when you think back upon the making of the show, was there a moment that you all realized that this isn't just going to be my cast, but these are actually going to be people that I really get along with and vibe with and wanna spend time with? 

HOMER GERE: I think it became clear really quickly. You guys were the, the, my, my main friend group in, both in the show and in, in real life. Um, so- It was a pleasure. Yeah. It's been... It continues to be a pleasure.

KAIA GERBER: You know, you'd think with a, with an ensemble like this who's filming all day every day together that we'd get off work and be like, "I don't wanna see you until tomorrow.

I need a few hours away." But we would get off work and either stay on set and wanna keep hanging out or go to someone's house or go to a dive bar. Like, we really actually enjoyed each other so much, and it felt like luck to us, but I know Rian knew exactly the group of people he was putting together. 

Like, we, we really do love each other. I'm not, I'm not just saying that 'cause this is gonna be, um, aired to the public.  

HOMER GERE: No, but it's true. Whenever you guys are in New York or I'm in LA, we always... It's always a, "Hey, I'm in town. You [00:10:00] guys wanna get dinner?"

IGBY RIGNEY: I also... I love watching, I love watching you guys work.

I love watching Kaia and Homer and, and Hayes and Graham just being behind the monitor and getting to see their different takes and, like, ah. Mm-hmm. It's such a treat- ... to, to be there and to witness all of that.  

KAIA GERBER: I mean, I have to say, Igby, as, you know, a leader, Brett's the lead of the show, Igby's number one on the call sheet, and he sets such an incredible example.

I mean, he had by far the biggest responsibility and the most amount of work on this show and would show up still an hour early with coffee for everyone, like, took such good care of all of us, and it was a really good example that you set, I have to say, on how to lead.  

HOMER GERE: You couldn't ask for more. 

EVAN ROSS KATZ: Can I just add that I feel like you three have a lot of chemistry even now in this podcast. 

One person finishes a sentence, another one begins. It's kinda remarkable.  

KAIA GERBER: I don't think there's anyone on earth I've spent this much time with.

HOMER GERE: In the last year? Yeah, that's true. No way. Yeah. Yeah.

KAIA GERBER: No, I think m- maybe- Ever in your life? ... my parents and my brother, but other than that, you guys are, you guys are up there.

Mm-hmm. And I still like you, which is- Yeah. ... im- which is even crazier.  

EVAN ROSS KATZ: To close us out, I do wanna ask each of you your favorite memory from shooting the pilot episode.  

IGBY RIGNEY: I think our first night shoot, like, the party. Oh, yeah. I love the... Shooting the stuff in the pilot before a lot of the intrigue and the whodunit kind of got in there because we got to explore our friendship on camera and, and really just- play around and, and create that great connection. 

KAIA GERBER: Yeah.

HOMER GERE: And I wasn't there for that, which you can kind of see in the relationships-

KAIA GERBER: And I think that's probably why it was- ... Igby's personal favorite, 'cause it was right before Homer started.

IGBY RIGNEY: Yeah. I want to rectify my answer to a time at which Homer was present. Uh, we got to film in this really cool mall. 

Mm-hmm. And we have this great photo of all of us on the counter, and, and we got to-  

KAIA GERBER: Homer's not in that picture.

HOMER GERE: Hey, yeah.

IGBY RIGNEY: No, but Homer was there at the mall with us.

HOMER GERE: I was there earlier, and then I left, and then you guys took the fun pictures.

IGBY RIGNEY: We, we did,

KAIA GERBER: we, we did- And then we started having real fun when Homer went home.

IGBY RIGNEY: Maybe we're, we're realizing that Brett and Igby are both unreliable narrators.

KAIA GERBER: No. 

EVAN ROSS KATZ: Any favorite memory from shooting the pilot?

HOMER GERE: I think the first day sticks out to me, 'cause you're, you know, it's like first day jitters, first day of school, and you're like, "How is this gonna go?" And we're, we sit down at the table, and there's just kind of a genuine chemistry between us in a way where you've, your whole body kind of relaxes, your nervous system relaxes, and you're like, "All right. 

I have, I have four allies here." Whatever the fear or anxiety is turns into real excitement for what the rest of the, the shoot is gonna be. What are you laughing at?  

KAIA GERBER: What's wrong? 

IGBY RIGNEY: I'm just thinking about Robert's body relaxing in those leather pants.

KAIA GERBER: There is no relaxing 

in th-  

IGBY RIGNEY: There's no relaxing in those.

KAIA GERBER: Can I just say, maybe, I know that I said Igby had the biggest undertaking, but the fact that Homer showed up to work every day and had to put on those leather pants every single day for six months should not go without mention.  

HOMER GERE: You know, in the beginning-

it was, it was, uh, it was like a yoke on my back to wear these leather pants. But by the end of it, you know, I was asking to take them home to sleep in. It's really became kind of a Stockholm syndrome situation. They also  

KAIA GERBER: sort of shaped around you. They did. I mean, they sort of became one-

IGBY RIGNEY: They became your skin

KAIA GERBER: with him. 

HOMER GERE: You couldn't tell where they ended and my skin began. 

KAIA GERBER: Yeah. They were your skin.

HOMER GERE: Yeah. Whoa.  

KAIA GERBER: They were the shape of Homer. 

HOMER GERE: My favorite memory was the first time I put on those leather pants, Evan. 

EVAN ROSS KATZ: What a, a perfect moment to end on. Igby, Kaia, Homer, thank you so very much. This has been a real pleasure.

KAIA GERBER: Thank you. 

IGBY RIGNEY: Thank you so much. 

HOMER GERE: Thanks, Evan.

EVAN ROSS KATZ: That's all for this time. On the next podcast, which is already out, so give it a watch, I'm joined by the amazing Evan Rachel Wood and Wes Bentley. Be sure to rate, review, and follow The Shards official podcast. You can check it out on Hulu or wherever you get your podcasts, and watch new episodes of The Shards on FX and Hulu.

I'm Evan Ross Katz and I'll see you next time