O.J. Simpson Drama Depicts an Old Trial, and Renewed Tensions

For the last two decades, O. J. has been on ice.

Hollywood, worried that the American public was still weary from the oversaturation of O. J. Simpson coverage, did all it could to stay clear of the murders, the highway chase and the granddaddy of all celebrity trials.

Well, about that O. J. fatigue? FX is convinced that you’re over it.

On Tuesday, the cable network will air the first installment of its newest anthology series, “The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story,” a 10-episode drama that stars John Travolta, Cuba Gooding Jr., Sarah Paulson and David Schwimmer.

FX is betting that viewers who can vividly recall where they were during the Bronco chase — as well as a younger audience that is only vaguely aware of the black glove and the famous mantra “If it doesn’t fit, you must acquit” — will devour the series. The network says early tracking suggests that it will do better than any show it has put on the air.

Not only does the series have the potential to reignite discussion about Mr. Simpson’s trial, but the producers anticipate that the issues at the center of the case — race, celebrity, sexism, domestic violence — will resonate with the public as profoundly as they did 21 years ago.

“It’s like a perfect, jewel-like reflection of the contemporary dialogue in America,” said John Landgraf, the chief executive of FX.