David Schwimmer Joins 'American Crime Story: The People V. O.J. Simpson' Cast As Robert Kardashian

Friends star David Schwimmer has reportedly been cast in American Crime Story, a new anthology series created by American Horror Story creator Ryan Murphy.

David Schwimmer has been cast as Robert Kardashian.

The first series of FX's upcoming American Crime Story will focus on the 1994 trial of O.J. Simpson. The trial remains one of the most controversial in US legal history and centred on Simpson, an American football player, who was accused of killing his ex-wife and her lover. The first series, entitled The People v. O.J. Simpson, is based on Jeffrey Toobin's book, The Run of His Life: The People v. O.J. Simpson.

Schwimmer has been cast as Simpson's lead defence attorney, and father of Kim Kardashian et al, Robert Kardashian. THR first reported the news. This will effectively be the lead role as American Crime Story will not focus on the events leading up to the trial including the murder, as previous film and television depictions have done, but on the lawyers and the legal proceedings. Both sides of the case and legal teams will be explored in the upcoming drama.

Cuba Gooding Jr. will play O.J. Simpson in the first season of American Crime Story.

Schwimmer is joining a strong cast as Simpson will be played by Cuba Gooding Jr. (The Butler) and prosecutor Marcia Clark by Sarah Paulson (American Horror Story).

If the first 10 episode season of American Crime Story proves successful, the anthology series will continue and focus on a different crime each season. Much like the O.J. Simpson case, the crimes will be ones which enthralled the whole US nation.

Murphy, the creator, emphasised this in a statement given in October about his latest project. "This is an exciting project for me, 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," Murphy said.

Sarah Paulson will also co-star in American Crime Story.