Cuba Gooding Jr To Play OJ Simpson

It's been a rocky road for Cuba Gooding Jr since winning the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role in Jerry Maguire. There's been the unfunny comedies (Boat Trip, Rat Race, Norbit), the DTV action movies with titles that sound like parody (Absolute Deception, One In The Chamber, The Hit List) and failed attempts at getting back in the Academy's good books (Radio, Men Of Honour, Red Tails). But it looks like his luck is about to change.

He's got a role in the acclaimed Martin Luther King drama Selma on the way and he's just made a wise decision to start working on the smaller screen, He's taking on the role of OJ Simpson in American Crime Series, a new true crime drama show modelled on the success of American Horror Story.

Creator Ryan Murphy will be telling a different story each season, starting with the murder of Simpson's wife and the ensuing trial. The show will also star Sarah Paulson, best known for her many roles in American Horror Story, as prosecutor Marcia Clark.

The story will be told from the perspective of the lawyers involved in the case and hit FX next year. 

(Images: Rex Features)