How Much You'll See the Kardashian Kids in The People V. OJ Simpson May Surprise You

Ryan Murphy and the cast took the stage at the 2016 Winter TCA Press Tour on Saturday to tease FX's highly anticipated series

By Kristin Dos Santos Jan 17, 2016 12:55 AMTags
David Schwimmer, American Crime StoryFAMEFLYNET PICTURES

There are many reasons to tune into FX's The People V. OJ Simpson: American Crime Story, but getting a weekly fix of cute little young versions of Khloe, Kourtney, Rob and Kim Kardashian might not be one of them.

The limited series, which premieres Feb. 2, stars David Schwimmer as O.J.'s best friend and attorney, Robert Kardashian. Viewers will also see a young Kim, Khloe, Kourtney and Rob, including a notable scene (based on some creative fiction) in which Robert warns them about the pitfalls of fame while lunching at Chin Chin, after getting recognized for the first time in public. However, beyond that, the Kardashian kids (which they were in 1994) will not be front and center, according to the show's producers. 

"In the 10 episodes, there are over 400 scenes, and of them, only four or five involve the Kardashian children," executive producer Ryan Murphy explained today during a panel for the show at the TCA Press Tour in Pasadena. 

"We thought it would be valuable just for a little sprinkling," executive producer Brad Simpson explained, "and they are in probably no more than 5 minutes in 10 hours. It's the beginning of the 24 hour news cycle. The beginning of reality TV, and they are emblematic of this period."

The People V. OJ Simpson is a 10-episode limited series that starts off with the night of the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman in 1994, taking viewers through the infamous Bronco chase watched live by 100 million people, and "trial of the trial of the century" and ending with the verdict. 

In the second episode, viewers will see O.J. hiding out in Kim Kardashian's bedroom, wielding a gun, and Robert (David Schwimmer) pleading with him to "Please don't shoot yourself in Kimmy's bedroom." (The bedroom is covered by Joey Lawrence posters.)

"We were lucky enough to shoot in the actual house," Schwimmer revealed. "It was [Robert] Kardashian's home that we were filming in. That brought it all home to us in a way that was chilling, frankly."

To prepare for his role, Schwimmer spent hours on the phone with Kris Jenner.  "She was incredibly generous with her time," Schwimmer said today, "and very open about her relationship to Robert. The single greatest thing I got from her was the insight about how religious he was, how much a man of great faith he was...prayed every day, several times a day. For me, that really helped me to understand the character and the decisions he was making at the time. Was that faith challenged or did he have any crisis of faith? Did his beliefs ever waver, did they change? That's what the series dramatized and explored for Robert's character, at least."

CLICK: Check out pictures of the kids playing the Kardashians

FX

"Robert was not a criminal defense lawyer," Schwimmer explained. "He was a business lawyer...only on the defense team in a way to babysit OJ...and to represent him and look after his best interest. For me, the real appeal of the role was Robert being presented the heart and the conscience of the whole thing. He is the only person of the key people who had nothing to gain."

American Crime Story: The People Vs. OJ Simpson premieres February 2 on FX, and also stars Cuba Gooding Jr. (Simpson), Sarah Paulson (Marcia Clark), David Schwimmer (Robert Kardashian), Selma Blair (Kris Jenner) and Connie Britton (Faye Resnick).