null Cuba Gooding Jr.and Sarah Paulson have landed the lead roles of O.J. Simpson and prosecutor Marcia Clark in prolific award-winning producer Ryan Murphy’s follow-up to his hit "American Horror Story" franchise, to be titled "American Crime Story" – a companion anthology focused each season on a different true crime story, which made headlines.

The new franchise has been ordered by FX, also home to the "American Horror Story" series.

null The 10-episode first season, "American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson," will be based on the book "The Run of His Life: The People v. O.J. Simpson" by Jeffrey Toobin, which will provide audiences with a look at the O.J. Simpson trial told from the perspective of the lawyers that explored the chaotic behind-the-scenes dealings and maneuvering on both sides of the court, and how a combination of prosecution confidence, defense wiliness, and the LAPD’s history with the city’s black community gave a jury what it needed: reasonable doubt.

Murphy joins Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson ("The Hunger Games," "Diary of a Wimpy Kid") and Brad Falchuk ("Glee," "American Horror Story", co-created with Murphy) as Executive Producers of "American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson," alongside writers Alexander and Karaszewski. Dante Di Loreto also serves as an Executive Producer, with Murphy set to direct.

“Time and time again, Ryan Murphy has transformed the medium of television by redefining genres and formats as he did with Nip/Tuck, Glee and the American Horror Story franchise, and we expect the same of American Crime Story,” said Landgraf. "Scott and Larry have adapted Jeffrey Toobin’s book into a masterful 10-hour piece. I have no doubt that Ryan and his partners, Nina Jacobson, Brad Simpson, Brad Falchuk, and Dante Di Loreto are going to make something very memorable here – and that it will be a spectacular first entry in what is destined to become a series of great true crime-based miniseries."

“This is an exciting project for me,” commented Murphy, “as I’ve been looking for the right property which could serve as an extension of the American Horror Story brand I love so much. The O.J. case was as tragic as it was fascinating – it seemed like everyone had a stake in the outcome. It was really the beginning of the modern tabloid age.”

Production begins early next year in Los Angeles.