Abhiroop Das
Created by Ryan Murphy, FX’s ‘The Shards‘ finds its roots in author Bret Easton Ellis‘ novel of the same name, which in turn, is a work of autofiction, drawing elements of reality and blending them into a world of fiction. As such, Bret‘s arc, as well as those of his friends, feels uniquely human, even when they are contrasted with the happenings of the city. Among these characters is Susan Reynolds, the most popular girl in school, who is not only the topper and the head girl but, according to some, also destined to be prom queen.
When not studying or doing extracurriculars, Susan spends her time with her partner, Thom, her best friend, Bret, and his partner, Debbie. However, this quartet of friends soon finds their lives overturned, with the arrival of a mysterious serial killer. For Susan, this becomes a moment to reflect on her life and all of its secrets, before something bad can happen to her or the people she loves the most.
Susan Reynolds is the Star of Buckley Prep and Has a Unique Relationship With Bret
Susan Reynolds is introduced in episode 1 of ‘The Shards’ as Bret’s best friend since childhood, but over time, this definition shifts and evolves into something a lot more complicated. Early on, Bret confesses to having feelings for Susan, not to her, but in the voiceover narration, and the dichotomy between how he feels and how he actually acts becomes the source of much romantic tension. On some level, it appears as if Susan is aware of Bret’s feelings, but actively looks past them to retain the platonic nature of their relationship, and so far, it has worked out. Bret recalls sharing the experience of puberty with her, as well as being there during all of her prior relationships, whether in their highs or in their lows. Presently, she seems to have found the man of her dreams in the form of Thom, whom Bret cannot help but feel envious of.
While Susan maintains that Bret is her best friend and nothing else, the dynamic that unfolds over the first two episodes paints a slightly different story. When teasing Thom during a pool party, Susan seemingly locks eyes with Bret instead, as if toying with him. Soon after that, Bret has sex with his girlfriend, Debbie, while fantasizing about Susan, and the ambiguity here is likely intentional. This entire time, we are engaging with this world through Bret’s warped perspective, and in it, Susan remains as enigmatic as ever. However, with the arrival of Robert, the mystery student whom Bret almost fell for a year ago, the dynamics seem to have changed once again, both for Bret and for Robert’s new admirer, Susan.
Kaia Gerber is a Model Turned Actor Who Pours Life Into the Character of Susan Reynolds
Actor Kaia Gerber plays the role of Susan Reynolds in ‘The Shards,’ bringing a unique touch to one of the most complex characters in this story. Before becoming an actor, Kaia had already established herself as a supermodel, following in the footsteps of her mother, the legendary Cindy Crawford. Following that, she decided to pour her heart into the world of acting, noting that it allows her to don different personas, and in turn, feel a deeper appreciation of her real self. Her first major role came in the form of ‘American Horror Stories,’ where she essays the role of Ruby McDaniel. Following that, she joined the star-studded cast of ‘Babylon‘ as Starlet. Additionally, she also appears in movies like ‘Bottoms,’ ‘Saturday Night,’ and ‘Shell,’ as well as TV shows like ‘Overcompensating’ and ‘Hacks.’
Kaia found her biggest break as an actor in the form of ‘Palm Royale,’ the 60s-set show where she steps into the role of Mitzi. The stylistic similarities between this show and ‘The Shards’ are no secret, and it makes Kaia’s presence in the latter all the more fitting. The actor has also received praise for her work in titles like ‘Mother Mary‘ and ‘Bulls,’ where she portrays Nikki and Ava, respectively. An up-and-coming name in the industry, Kaia has blended her experience from various industries to create a creative profile unlike any other, and that is why her performance as Susan stands out, even in a show full of similarly electrifying performances.
Read More: The Shards Episode 1 and 2 Recap: Pilot and Don’t You Want Me?
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