'The People Versus OJ Simpson': The Big Players In The Extraordinary Story, And Their Variously Accurate Screen Counterparts

Some Of These 'OJ Simpson' Story Cast Are More Uncanny Than Others
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The TV show that has bewitched America has finally arrived on this side of the sea - 'American Horror Story: The People Versus OJ Simpson' will debut tonight on BBC Two.

This real-life drama will do one of two things, depending on what age you are. If you can remember where you were when US TV stations cleared their schedules to track OJ Simpson's desperate but strangely low-speed flight along Highway 405 in a white Ford Bronco, then this will be a completely indulgent wander down memory lane, to a time when the names Johnny Cochrane and Marcia Clark tripped off the tongue and you stopped breathing while you waited to see if the glove did, in fact, fit.

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OJ Simpson surrounded himself with a group of defence lawyers that the media dubbed 'The Dream Team'

For younger viewers, this will be a research project to discover which social shell cracked, before the Kardashians emerged from it. Faithful followers of the K- clan will know that the older girls have a much-loved, much-missed late father Robert. From this story will they finally put together the jigsaw pieces - that Robert was also the best friend of football star, actor and bona fide American hero OJ Simpson, one of his 'dream' defence team, and one of his most tireless champions throughout his trial.

Even if none of this interests you in the slightest, the show is still worth watching, by all accounts, for the scenery-chewing John Travolta's work as defence lawyer Robert Shapiro.

Who are the other big players in this exquisitely told, extraordinary chapter in American culture? And how accurately have they managed to cast their on-screen counterparts? Read on...

OJ Simpson Trial: Real Life Vs Screen
Johnny Cochran(01 of18)
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The man who will always be celebrated for telling the OJ Simpson jury, 'If the gloves don't fit, you must acquit', Cochran was a famous defence attorney, who also represented Sean Combs (during his trial on gun and bribery charges), Michael Jackson, rapper Tupac Shakur, actor Todd Bridges, football player Jim Brown, rapper Snoop Dogg. He died in 2005.
Courtney B Vance plays Johnny Cochran(02 of18)
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Kris Jenner (then with husband Bruce, now Caitlyn Jenner)(03 of18)
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Kris Jenner, then the best friend of Nicole Simpson, whose murder OJ stood accused, later the world's most famous mom-ager and matriarch of the tireless Kardashian clan.
Selma Blair as Kris Jenner(04 of18)
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Robert Shapiro(05 of18)
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Shortly after this trial that made him famous, Shapiro steered his legal practice towards more civil litigation. In his notable career, he has represented famous athletes, including shamed baseball player Darryl Strawberry, José Canseco, and Vince Coleman, as well as other celebrities such as Johnny Carson, Christian Brando, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Linda Lovelace, and the Kardashians.
John Travolta as Robert Shapiro(06 of18)
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Dominick Dunne (right)(07 of18)
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Journalist Dominick Dunne was commissioned by Vanity Fair to report on the trial for the magazine. His sympathy for the victim's family, inspired by the murder of his own daughter, was well-known and did much to keep a balanced view of trial by his readers, despite OJ's fame and popularity.
Robert Morse as journalist Dominick Dunne(08 of18)
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Prosecutor Marcia Clark(09 of18)
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Clark became one of American's most famous litigators during the Simpson trial, where viewers analysed her every gesture and haircut. Despite losing the trial, she wrote a bestselling book and remains in demand as a pundit, journalist and TV personality.
Sarah Paulson as Marcia Clark(10 of18)
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Al Cowlings (right, with OJ Simpson)(11 of18)
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A close friend and former teammate of OJ Simpson, Al Cowlings became infamous across America when an estimated 95million viewers tuned in to watch him drive his pal in the white Bronco down the highway, eventually arriving at Simpson's mansion where he turned himself in. Cowlings faced no charges, and never spoke to the media properly about the case.
Malcolm Jamal Warner as Al Cowlings(12 of18)
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Robert Kardashian(13 of18)
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An American businessman and attorney, Robert Kardashian did more than most to help his friend OJ, who stayed at his house following the murders of his ex-wife and her friend. Kardashian championed OJ's innocence and re-validated his legal licence to join OJ's defence team. Despite all this, he later voiced his doubts about his pal's innocence, saying the blood evidence was his biggest obstacle. He died of cancer in 2003.
David Schwimmer as Robert Kardashian(14 of18)
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Mark Fuhrman(15 of18)
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One of the investigating police officers in the case, Mark Fuhrman's testimony became notorious once the defence team argued that he had planted evidence against OJ Simpson, based on racial motivation. Fuhrman was later convicted of perjury and is retired from the police. He is an author and commentator.
Steven Pasquale as Mark Fuhrman(16 of18)
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OJ Simpson(17 of18)
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Despite his acquittal, OJ Simpson's life as an American hero came to an end with the trial for the murder of his ex-wife and her friend. He later lost a civil suit for their deaths, but paid little compensation. In 2007, he was arrested in Las Vegas, charged with felonies including robbery and kidnapping, and convicted the following year. He is serving his sentence of 33 years at a Nevada prison.
Cuba Gooding Jr as OJ Simpson(18 of18)
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