Playing a football player won Cuba Gooding Jr. an Oscar. Could playing another -- one who was the focus of "the trial of the century" -- win him further accolades? 

The actor has been cast as O.J. Simpson in the new FX anthology miniseries "American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson," the network announced. Gooding won the Academy Award for best actor in a supporting role in 1996 for his performance as wide receiver Rod Tidwell in the film "Jerry Maguire." 

The new miniseries will focus on the famous trial and according to a statement is "told from the perspective of the lawyers that explores 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 African-American community gave a jury what it needed: reasonable doubt." 

The miniseries was developed by Ryan Murphy, who created the very successful "American Horror Story" anthology franchise for FX. Murphy didn't have to look far for his Marcia Clarke; the prosecuting attorney will be played by Sarah Paulson, who has appeared in all four seasons of "American Horror Story." 

Each season of "American Crime Story" will delve into a different true crime story that made headlines and captivated the public. The first season is based on the book "The Run of His Life: The People v. O.J. Simpson" by CNN legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin. 

Production is scheduled to begin early next year in Los Angeles. 


Where is production scheduled to start?
When?
Will every season of American Crime Story be about the same crime?
Will it cover very obscure crimes?
Was the first season based on radio waves emitting from space?
What was it based on then?
Who wrote that?
What's his professional title?
What organization is he associated with?
Who's the first season of ACS about?
What actor is playing him?
Has Cuba ever played a football player before?
Who?
Was his portrayal as Rod well received?
When did he have that role?
In what film?
Does the LAPD have a good history or a bad history with a community within L.A.?
Which community?
What did the LAPD's bad history with that community provide a jury with?
What other show has Ryan Murphy created?
Los Angeles.
Production is scheduled to begin early next year in Los Angeles.
Early next year
Production is scheduled to begin early next year in Los Angeles
No
Each season of "American Crime Story" will delve into a different true crime story
No
Each season of "American Crime Story" will delve into a different true crime story that made headlines and captivated the public
No
The first season is based on the book "The Run of His Life: The People v. O.J. Simpson
The Run of His Life: The People v. O.J. Simpson
The first season is based on the book "The Run of His Life: The People v. O.J. Simpson"
Jeffrey Toobin.
The first season is based on the book "The Run of His Life: The People v. O.J. Simpson" by CNN legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin.
CNN legal analyst
CNN legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin. 
CNN
by CNN legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin. 
O.J. Simpson
The first season is based on the book "The Run of His Life: The People v. O.J. Simpson"
Cuba Gooding Jr.
Playing a football player won Cuba Gooding Jr. an Oscar. Could playing another -- one who was the focus of "the trial of the century" -- win him further accolades?
Yes
Playing a football player won Cuba Gooding Jr. an Oscar. Could playing another -- one who was the focus of "the trial of the century" -- win him further accolades?
Rod Tidwell
Gooding won the Academy Award for best actor in a supporting role in 1996 for his performance as wide receiver Rod Tidwell in the film "Jerry Maguire."
Yes
Gooding won the Academy Award for best actor in a supporting role in 1996 for his performance as wide receiver Rod Tidwell in the film "Jerry Maguire.
1996
Gooding won the Academy Award for best actor in a supporting role in 1996 for his performance as wide receiver Rod Tidwell in the film "Jerry Maguire
Jerry Maguire
Gooding won the Academy Award for best actor in a supporting role in 1996 for his performance as wide receiver Rod Tidwell in the film "Jerry Maguire." 

No
told from the perspective of the lawyers that explores 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 African-American community gave a jury what it needed: reasonable doubt
African-American
how a combination of prosecution confidence, defense wiliness, and the LAPD's history with the city's African-American community gave a jury what it needed: reasonable doub
Reasonable doubt
and how a combination of prosecution confidence, defense wiliness, and the LAPD's history with the city's African-American community gave a jury what it needed: reasonable doubt
American Horror Story
The miniseries was developed by Ryan Murphy, who created the very successful "American Horror Story"