Ryan Murphy Says Travis Kelce Was the ‘Most Delightful Person’ on ‘Grotesquerie’ Set

Ryan Murphy loved working with Travis Kelce on his upcoming series, Grotesquerie.

“It was very unexpected,” the TV writer shared with ET of writing a role specifically for the Kansas City Chiefs tight end. “I didn’t know Travis and I thought we were having a general meeting, but he was so passionate about wanting to try it, and I always have a theory that ‘a star is a star is a star.’ He’s a big star in every arena. I was just moved by it and his ambition and he’s guy who wants to try new things. I said, ‘Well, I don’t know if I have anything now.’ Then, I thought about it and I did and I called him back and I pitched him, and expanded it and wrote it for him.”

He continued of the athlete, “I love his discipline […] He was a little nervous at first, but we worked together and had a ball. He’s just the most delightful person.

In the show, “a series of heinous crimes have unsettled a small community,” per the description. “Detective Lois Tryon [Niecy Nash-Betts] feels these crimes are eerily personal, as if someone—or something—is taunting her. With no leads and unsure of where to turn, she accepts the help of Sister Megan. However, they find themselves ensnared in a sinister web that only seems to raise more questions than answers.”

Grotesquerie is the latest in Kelce’s growing list of entertainment gigs off the Kansas City Chiefs’ field.  Prime Video confirmed earlier this year that Kelce is slated to host its upcoming game show Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity?, a spin-off of Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader? The series will feature contestants using celebrities to help with 11 elementary-school-level questions as they compete to win $100,000.

The show hits FX and Hulu starting on September 25.

Rania Aniftos

Billboard