FX picks up Getty family saga ‘Trust’ from producers of ‘Slumdog Millionaire’

FX continues to expand its limited series offerings, picking up the first 10-episode installment of “Trust,” a series centered around the kidnapping of John Paul Getty III, heir to the Getty oil fortune.

Presidents of original programming for FX Networks and FX Productions Eric Schrier and Nick Grad announced the pickup in a statement released by the network on Wednesday.

Set in 1973, the story follows Getty’s kidnapping in Rome and confinement by mafia captors in anticipation of a hefty ransom from his family. As the tale unfolds, the Italian police decline to investigate, Getty’s father is lost in a drug-induced stupor and his grandfather, J. Paul Getty, founder of Los Angeles’ J. Paul Getty Museum, and legendary miser, has no interest in negotiating with terrorists.

Executive produced by Simon Beaufoy, Danny Boyle and Christian Colson, the series’ 10 episodes will be written by Beaufoy and directed by Boyle.

This is not the first collaboration for the three men, who worked together on “Slumdog Millionaire,” which awarded all three men Oscars (Boyle for director, Beaufoy for screenplay and Colson for picture) as well as “127 Hours.”

“Simon, Danny and Christian have done a magnificent job of telling the story of the Getty family empire and its tumultuous history with ‘Trust,’” said Schrier, adding, “Simon’s script wonderfully dramatizes the notorious and bizarre kidnapping of J. Paul Getty’s grandson. It’s the perfect way to open this limited series, allowing us to see how three generations, including one of the world’s richest men, clash when family, fortune and reputation are in jeopardy.”

There is no indication when “Trust” might enter production or when audiences can expect the series to air.

libby.hill@latimes.com

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