Producers Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson explain why American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez does not feature Tom Brady. The latest American Story media franchise project American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez tells the story of former New England Patriots football player Aaron Hernandez, in the events leading up to his much-talked-about murder trial. The show features Josh Rivera in the role of Aaron Hernandez, with a supporting cast that includes Patrick Schwarzenegger, Ean Castellanos, Lindsay Mendez, and Tammy Blanchard. It premiered its first two episodes on September 17, and will continue to air episodes weekly on Tuesdays through November 12.

Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, the producers explain why American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez does not feature Tom Brady. They were asked why they didn’t feature “larger than life” personalities other than Bill Belichick. Simpson responded by saying that “the real centerpiece of fame here is the teams themselves.” Jacobson added that the American Sports Story team “felt like [they] had a lot of human drama, even if the people weren’t as well-known.” They also felt pressure knowing the recognition that certain players would have among “sports fans.” Check out the full quotes from Simpson and Jacobson below:

Brad Simpson: I guess it depends on your perspective. Nina’s much more of an avid sports fan than I am, but I think for a lot of people, Bill Belichick and Urban Meyer are insanely famous. I think the real centerpiece of fame here is the teams themselves: The New England Patriots, the Florida Gators. These are massive institutions that gather insane crowds. Like with all of these stories, what happens when flawed individuals come into intersection with these massive machines and systems of power? In the O.J. case, those lawyers were just normal people who suddenly became the most famous people in America.

Nina Jacobson: We felt like we had a lot of human drama, even if the people weren’t as well-known. But we also felt a lot of pressure, knowing for sports fans and how they look at some of these more iconic figures, to either do it right or not at all. If there wasn’t going to be a big story with a Tom Brady character, we weren’t going to just throw in Tom Brady just for the sake of throwing in some Tom Brady.

What This Decision Means For American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez

The Big Name Appearances Still Work For American Sports Story

Jacobson is right that the producers had to make a tough decision when deciding whether to include more football players in American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez. Tom Brady is one prime omission, as Jacobson mentions that they “weren’t going to just throw in Tom Brady just for the sake of throwing in some Tom Brady.” Instead, any inclusions hinged upon the creative team coming to the agreement that a given storyline, or given person, was vital to American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez.

Simpson also makes a good point in noting that the figures they do include, like Bill Belichick and Urban Meyer, are huge names of their own for those generally aware of sports history. Though the show may have some crossover appeal to a general audience, American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez‘s main viewers will likely be those interested in football already. Said audiences will still feel the star power of Belichick and Meyer, even if the widest possible audience would recognize Tom Brady.

Why This American Sports Story Decision Was The Right One

American Sports Story Stays More Focused On Hernandez

Ultimately, I believe the American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez team made a good decision. By electing not to include Tom Brady and other iconic football players, they allow the story to stay much more focused on its protagonist. The first episode of the series, for example, shows a look at Hernandez as a child growing up. Cameos from characters like Tom Brady could undermine this focus, making their omission a sound decision.

Source: THR