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The True Crime genre has reached a fever pitch over the past few years. It seems we can’t get enough of the real-life mysteries happening across the globe — some even in our own neighborhoods. Several podcasts have essentially created a cottage industry out of the true crime genre, while feature-length films have long brought true stories to the big screen, and the true crime genre has brought original storytelling to a whole new level that leaves our skin crawling and our gaze constantly looking over our shoulder.
But among the bevy of podcasts and films that have kept a hold on the true crime genre, TV shows may ultimately be the finest form for these real-life tales of misdeeds. We’ve never been more eager for stories about true crime, and TV has never been more eager to show it to us. In the last few months alone, we’ve seen adaptations of how Elizabeth Holmes swindled Silicon Valley, Anna Delvey’s shocking NYC scams, disgraced vegan restauranteur Sarma Melngailis, and Michelle Carter’s unique texting-suicide case — and in coming months, we’ll be seeing a mini-series on the murder of Kathleen Peterson (called The Staircase like its documentary equivalent on Netflix), a dramatic re-telling of the events that led up to Watergate in Julia Roberts-led Gaslit, and Under the Banner of Heaven, a scripted take on a brutal double murder in Utah in 1984.
With so many true-crime shows of the docu-series and dramatized mini-series variety, here are all the true crime series worth your time. From cult favorites to lauded works, consider this round-up a starter pack for your next deep dive into the world of true crime.
‘The Dropout’
Elizabeth Holmes seemed like the next big thing to come out of Silicon Valley. She had confidence, charm, and was able to make nearly everyone believe in her revolutionary health technology corporation, Theranos. Except, it was all a lie. The Dropout takes a dramatized, clinical look at how Holmes (played by Amanda Seyfried) tricked investors and more into trusting her when she didn’t even have the technology necessary, giving millions of people a false sense of hope.
Watch on Hulu.
‘The Girl From Plainville’
It was a case that stupefied the nation. Michelle Carter was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter after texting her boyfriend, Conrad Roy III, messages that led to his suicide. The Girl From Plainville, starring Elle Fanning as Carter, takes a deep dive into the relationships of each person involved in the horrifying case and imagines how everything unfolded.
Watch on Hulu.
‘The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story’
While this anthology series has brought quite a few infamous cases back into the cultural conversation, we have to go back to the one that started it all. The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story dramatizes the horrific murder of Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman, and the chaotic trial involving Nicole’s ex-husband O.J. Simpson that ensued thereafter.
Watch on Hulu.
‘Inventing Anna’
Anna Delvey seemed too good to be true. Born Anna Sorokin, she pretended to be a German heiress to get in with high society and managed to lie her way into loans for millions of dollars, taking on New York’s financial institutions like it was second nature. Inventing Anna, starring Julia Garner as the fake German heiress (wild accent and all), takes a look at the story behind the infamous profile on Anna and how her actions left an impact on the lives of so many.
Watch on Netflix.
‘Unbelievable’
Some true crime series really live up to their name. In Unbelievable, a young woman (Kaitlyn Dever) comes forward with allegations that she was a victim of rape. But instead of her story being wholly believed, detectives on her case re-victimize her, questioning her experience. It’s not until similar cases begin to happen that two investigators (Toni Collette and Merritt Wever) take the next step in solving the case.
Watch on Netflix.
‘Mindhunter’
Over the course of two seasons, Mindhunter took a deep dive into the history of how the FBI developed the criminal profile for serial killers. Based on true cases, David Fincher’s series takes a look at the psychological profiles that changed how investigators approached such brutal, harrowing cases.
Watch on Netflix.
‘Dirty John’
In this anthology series based on the popular podcast, real tales of love gone horribly wrong are brought to the small screen. Each season of Dirty John (and there are two, FYI) focuses on one true case, bringing the horrifying stories back to life.
Watch on Netflix.
‘Tiger King’
Even when you think you know how Tiger King is going to unfold, twists and shocking surprises come out of nowhere. The docu-series follows the exploitations of underground big cat breeders living in the United States. The series is full of eccentric figures like Joe Exotic and Carole Baskin, and includes details on the shocking conditions in which they keep these wild animals, the confrontations between the various breeders, and even murder.
Watch on Netflix.
‘Making A Murderer’
The 2015 docu-series Making A Murderer gripped viewers right from the beginning. Steven Avery spent 18 years in prison for a crime he did not commit, only to be arrested for murder just two years after he was released. The docu-series follows the case as it unfolds, compiling 13 years of footage, and it will surely leave you shocked by the end.
Watch on Netflix.
‘Bad Vegan: Fame. Fraud. Fugitives’
One of the most recent scandals that shocked NYC is the story of Sarma Melngailis, her raw vegan restaurant, and how her life turned upside down. After marrying a mysterious man, Melngailis’ reputation, work ethic, and life take a turn. The restaurateur begins to believe her husband will make her and her dog immortal — money exchanges hands, cons are carried out far beyond their limits, and the end result will have your jaw on the floor.
Watch on Netflix.
‘Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich’
This Netflix series unpacking the many crimes of convicted sex offender and pedophile Jeffrey Epstein highlights the stories of survivors, who detail how the financier used his wealth and influence to mask his depraved behavior.
Watch on Netflix.
‘Landscapers’
We’re veering back to dramatized series, now. Starring Olivia Colman and David Thewlis, Landscapers tells the true story of one couple living in Nottingham, who are responsible for the murders of Susan’s (Colman) parents. The series recounts how their crime resurfaced years after it was committed.
Watch on HBO Max.
‘I’ll Be Gone In The Dark’
Based on the book of the same name, I’ll Be Gone In The Dark follows Michelle McNamara’s intense investigation into The Golden State Killer. McNamara, who was married to Patton Oswalt, spent endless nights and days visiting crime scenes, putting evidence together, and interviewing officials who were previously involved in initial cases from decades ago. Without McNamara’s dedication, this story would not have surfaced.
Watch on HBO Max.
‘The Staircase’
Coming to HBO Max this May, The Staircase takes a dramatized approach to the real-life case of Kathleen Peterson’s murder. The mini-series, starring Toni Collette and Colin Firth, is based on the documentary film of the same name, which debuted in 2004. You can watch the original documentary on Netflix.
The Staircase premieres on HBO Max May 5.
‘LuLaRich’
If you love leggings, we’re sorry to inform you may never look at them the same way again. LuLaRich chronicles the exploits of the Stidham family and how they convinced thousands of women to buy into, and sell pieces from their legging brand, LuLaRoe. What started out as a way to become business aficionados quickly turned into a pyramid scheme where the same women could lose their homes.
Watch on Amazon Prime Video.
‘WeCrashed’
Starring Jared Leto and Anne Hathaway, WeCrashed tells the story of how WeWork went from one of the most lucrative businesses to surprising financial lows. At the center of it all is Adam Neumann (Leto) and his wife Rebekah (Hathaway) whose shared ambition and narcissism lead to their inevitable downfall.
Watch on Apple TV+.
‘Seduced: Inside The NXIVM Cult’
In Seduced: Inside the NXIVM Cult, India Oxenberg recalls her indoctrination into the NXIVM cult and the abuse she was subjected to during her time in the organization that marketed itself as a self-help group, led by Keith Raniere.
Watch on Starz.
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