Versace family distances itself from new TV series

Los Angeles — The Versace family is distancing itself from an upcoming TV series about the 1997 murder of famed fashion designer Gianni Versace.

In a statement on Monday, his family said it has neither authorised nor been involved in the series.

Since members of the family didn't authorise the book from which it's partly drawn or participate in the writing of the screenplay, the series should be considered "a work of fiction," according to the statement.

Gianni Versace was fatally shot in front of his Miami Beach mansion, a victim of serial killer Andrew Cunanan.

FX's American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace, based in part on Maureen Orth's book Vulgar Favors, stars Edgar Ramirez as Versace, Darren Criss as Cunanan and Penelope Cruz as Donatella Versace.  It debuts in the US on 17 January.  

Watch the trailer here:

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