American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez (2024)
The gripping FX miniseries that charts the meteoric rise and devastating fall of NFL star Aaron Hernandez, unraveling the hidden contradictions that defined his life.
American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez - Series Information
- Original Title: American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez
- First Air Year: 2024
- Last Air Year: 2024
- Created by: Stuart Zicherman
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama
- Content Rating (US): TV-MA
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 10
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: September 17, 2024 (United States - TV-MA), September 17, 2024 (Brazil - 16), September 17, 2024 (South Korea - 19)
- Networks: FX
- Alternative Titles: Gladiator: American Sports Story (US), 美国体育故事 (CN)
- Production Companies: Ryan Murphy Television, Wondery, The Boston Globe, 20th Television, Sleeping Indian, Monarch Pictures, Color Force
- Production Countries: United States of America
American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez - Plot
Charts the rise and fall of NFL superstar Aaron Hernandez and explores the disparate strands of his identity, his family, his career, his suicide and their legacy in sports and American culture.
American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the story of Aaron Hernandez unfold:
Battling demons on and off the field.
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American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Stuart Zicherman
Main Cast
- Josh Rivera
- Jaylen Barron
- Lindsay Mendez
- Ean Castellanos
- Tammy Blanchard
- Alex Meraz
- Catfish Jean
- Norbert Leo Butz
- Roland Buck III
- Thomas Sadoski
Writers
- Domonique Foxworth
- Chelsey Lora
- Stuart Zicherman
- Hadi Nicholas Deeb
- Ryan Farley
Executive Producers
- Brad Simpson
- Linda Pizzuti Henry
- Alexis Martin Woodall
- Ryan Murphy
- Carl Franklin
American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez - FAQs
Is American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez based on a true story?
Absolutely. The series dramatizes the real life of Aaron Hernandez, the New England Patriots tight end convicted of murder in 2015. It draws heavily from the Wondery podcast 'Gladiator' and reporting by The Boston Globe, weaving together his football career, hidden sexuality, criminal ties, and 2017 prison suicide.
Did the show explore Aaron Hernandez's sexuality?
One of the series' most compelling threads is its portrayal of Hernandez as a closeted gay man navigating a hyper-masculine football culture. The show examines how that suppressed identity intersected with trauma, violence, and the pressures of fame, offering a nuanced look at a life lived in painful contradiction.
Who plays Aaron Hernandez in the series?
Josh Rivera takes on the lead role, delivering a layered portrayal of Hernandez across his rise to NFL stardom and his catastrophic downfall. The cast also includes Jaylen Barron, Lindsay Mendez, Tammy Blanchard, Patrick Schwarzenegger as Tim Tebow, and Norbert Leo Butz as Bill Belichick.
What is the Patrick Schwarzenegger Tim Tebow connection?
Patrick Schwarzenegger portrays Tim Tebow, Hernandez's college teammate at the University of Florida. Their relationship in the series highlights the contrasting paths two high-profile players took — one defined by faith and public virtue, the other consumed by violence and secrecy — making for a fascinating dramatic counterpoint.
Where can you stream American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez?
The series is available to stream on Hulu. It can also be purchased digitally on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and Fandango At Home for those who prefer to own or rent individual episodes or the full season.
How many episodes does the series have?
American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez consists of 10 episodes across a single season. It premiered on FX on September 17, 2024, and aired as a limited miniseries, meaning the story is fully told with no additional seasons planned.
How was the series received by critics?
Critical reception was largely positive, with reviewers praising Josh Rivera's committed central performance and the show's willingness to explore Hernandez's sexuality and trauma with depth. Some critics noted the series occasionally struggles to balance its many narrative threads, but most agreed it was a compelling and thoughtful character study.
What are similar shows to watch after this series?
If you enjoyed this series, Colin in Black and White, Halston, and Fellow Travelers offer similarly intimate biographical storytelling with complex protagonists. For sports drama with real-world stakes, Ballers provides a lighter but engaging look at NFL culture. The Crowded Room explores psychological depth in a comparable true-crime framework.
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