TV & Film
Bret Easton Ellis Is Watching FX’s 'The Shards' Right Along With Fans
Sep 9, 2026
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Brad Simpson
producer · executive producer
3 stories · latest Sep 9, 2026 · TV & Film
Brad Simpson biography
Brad Simpson is a television producer and executive producer who works on high-profile limited series and drama adaptations, including projects created for FX.
Simpson served as an executive producer alongside fellow producer Nina Jacobson on the FX limited series Love Story, a show centering on cultural icon Carolyn Bessette. During production, the project unexpectedly triggered intense online pushback and a digital smear campaign across social media platforms like TikTok after unauthorized set photos began circulating. Despite the early online backlash, the series went on to secure seven Emmy nominations.
Simpson also works as an executive producer on the FX television adaptation of author Bret Easton Ellis's retro thriller novel The Shards. In discussing the adaptation, Simpson revealed that Ellis granted co-creator Ryan Murphy complete artistic freedom with the 1981 Los Angeles story. Rather than receiving advance screening cuts or issuing editorial notes, the author chose to watch the debut season tune in weekly like a regular viewer.
- Coverage of Brad Simpson focuses on his role as an executive producer managing high-profile television projects adapted from literary works and real-life cultural figures.
- Reports emphasize his experiences navigating early project challenges, including internet pushback over leaked set photos and coordinating with authors during book adaptations.
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Aug 16, 2026
FX limited series Love Story, executive produced by Brad Simpson and Nina Jacobson, earned seven Emmy nominations despite early TikTok backlash.
How FX's 'Love Story' Survived a TikTok Smear Campaign to Score 7 Emmy NodsSep 9, 2026
Executive producer Brad Simpson revealed that novelist Bret Easton Ellis was tuning into FX's The Shards as a regular viewer.
Bret Easton Ellis Is Watching FX’s 'The Shards' Right Along With Fans
Brad Simpson: your questions
What TV shows has Brad Simpson produced?
Brad Simpson has served as an executive producer on FX projects including the limited series Love Story and the adaptation of The Shards.
How did Bret Easton Ellis react to the adaptation of The Shards?
According to Brad Simpson, Bret Easton Ellis granted full artistic control to Ryan Murphy and chose to tune in weekly like a regular viewer without issuing editorial notes.
What challenge did Brad Simpson face while producing Love Story?
Brad Simpson and co-producer Nina Jacobson faced online pushback on TikTok over leaked set photos before the series eventually received seven Emmy nominations.