Travis Kelce is joining the Ryan Murphy cinematic universe. The Kansas City Chiefs star has been cast in the American Horror Story creator’s latest production, Grotesquerie, starring Niecy Nash-Betts — and he’s already spent his first day on set.
Very little is known about the upcoming FX series, much less about Kelce’s character, but, Murphy did post an audio teaser for Grotesquerie in February featuring Nash-Betts’ distressed voice on a phone speaker describing a disturbing crime scene. He also confirmed that the project is a “horror drama” that’s set to premiere this fall.
Plus, Nash-Betts shared a few behind-the-scenes clips from her time on set with Kelce via Instagram on Wednesday. In one video, she hangs out with the tight end in a dressing room and says excitedly, “Guys, guess who I’m working with on Grotesquerie?”
Kelce then comes into frame and says, “Jumping into new territory with Niecy!” He also reposted the video onto his Story and wrote, “Steppin into a new world with one of the legends!”
In another clip posted to the Emmy winner’s Story, she and the New Heights podcaster appear to be filming a scene in a sleek red convertible. Laughing, Kelce holds a peace sign up to the camera and says, “Buckle up!”
A third video finds the football player hugging Murphy between takes. “I’m just glad I didn’t hurt nobody,” he tells Nash-Betts, smiling into the camera.
The news comes shortly after Prime Video confirmed that Kelce is slated to host its upcoming game show Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity?, a spin-off of Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader? “I grew up loving game shows, and I’m excited to be following in the footsteps of so many TV icons,” he said in a statement about the series, which will feature contestants using celebrities to help with 11 elementary-school-level questions as they compete to win $100,000.
Kelce’s recent influx in entertainment gigs doesn’t mean he’s planning on slowing down his football career any time soon, though. The athlete also recently re-signed with the Chiefs, inking a two-year extension deal that will make him the highest-paid tight end in the NFL — meaning fans can all but count on two more seasons’ worth of Taylor Swift appearances at Arrowhead Stadium.
Watch Kelce and Nash-Betts bond behind the scenes of Grotesquerie below.
