Some TV executives believe consumers flock to screens to become immersed in worlds and stories that are detached from reality. Sure, there’s a place for those kinds of stories. However, more and more viewers love series and films that are based on truth. That’s not to say all of these programs are necessarily “relatable,” but finding out someone lived through these events brings an entirely new element to the viewing experience.
Many of these stories are ripped from the headlines in the evening news, others pulled from accountsfound in memoirsor nonfiction books. Fact being stranger than fiction has never been truer than in series that have come out in recent years. While we all know and love stories likeBaby Reindeer(which was based on the creator’s autobiography), some other series have been criminally overlooked. Check out these underrated series based on true stories.
14A Friend of the Family (2022)
A Friend of the Family
A Friend of the Familyis a drama about the Broberg family. Back in the ’70s, the Brobergs seemed like your average family. The Brobergs consisted of the parents, Bob and Gail, and their three children. A man from the community, Robert Berchtold, begins to ingratiate himself with the family. He respects Bob, admires the marriage the Brobergs have, and gets along with the children. Perhaps a bit too much. As Bob begins to take note of red flags in Robert’s behavior, his daughter is abducted. Unbelievably, this won’t be the only time.
Can’t Trust Anyone
A Friend of the Familyis troublingin more ways than one. The multiple abductions of Jan are enough to creep out most viewers; just wait until more of the dynamic between Berchtold and the family unravels. The director and actors captured the spirit of the ’70s when perhaps people were more trusting of others. Luckily, for viewers who want more information after, there are multiple documentaries featuring this case, as well as a book penned by Jan’s mother.
13Tokyo Vice (2024)
Tokyo Vice
With fast-paced, weapon-wielding fight scenes and tense conversations with organized criminals, it’s easy to forgetTokyo Viceis not a made-up story. In 1999, American journalist Jake Adelstein accepted a job at a newspaper in Tokyo as their first foreign writer. He’s eager to cover a recent murder but is forbidden by his boss. Adelstein befriends a detective named Jin Miyamoto who leads him into the dangerous world of the yakuza, an organized crime syndicate. Now he must balance his new job and the mysterious deaths no one wants to discuss.
Living in an Action Movie
Adelstein has sure come a long way from people telling him not to cover these crimes to publishing a book and having an HBO Max series. Adelstein’saccounts of his time in Tokyohave been met with skepticism, with some claiming he embellished or downright lied about certain events. However, the contentious nature adds more intrigue while watching the show. Actor Ansel Elgort played the lead role over two seasons and kept audiences hooked the entire time.
12The Dropout (2022)
The Dropout
The Dropoutcenters on the rise and fall of Elizabeth Holmes, the founder of biotechnology company Theranos. To those around her, Holmes was an ambitious, intelligent young woman with her vision set on innovating healthcare. When she lands upon a golden idea, she drops out of Stanford and begins operating this successful business. She’s a champion for entrepreneurs, women in business, and young inventors. She’s also, as it turns out, a crook.
Drive Turned Dangerous
With touches of comedy, drama, and thriller,The Dropoutis a dynamic watch. Amanda Seyfriend nails the portrayal of Holmes from a driven college student to what she’s now remembered as: power-hungry and morally bankrupt. Yet the show does not paint her as an outright villain.The Dropoutattempts to both humanize Holmes and cover the legitimate hardships she faces while also not excusing her later actions. While it was critically acclaimed, earning multiple nominations, this true story deserved a lot more hype for its wonderful performances.
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11Under the Banner of Heaven (2022)
Under the Banner of Heaven
Set in the 1980s in Utah, the residents of the fictional city of East Rockwell believe bad things don’t happen in their community. That is until a woman named Brenda and her child are savagely murdered. Brenda is part of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or LDS. Detective Jeb Pyre (played by Andrew Garfield) is also an LDS member and feels deeply connected to this case. As is common, Pyre believes the husband did it. But his investigation forces him to confront this assumption, as well as his own faith.
A Man Questioning Everything
The story of Brenda Lafferty, her daughter Erica, and Jeb Pyre was first widely covered in a book written by Jon Krakauer who wroteother popular nonfiction books.Under the Banner of Heaveninterrogates crime and religion, both separately and the terrifying ways they can intersect. Many viewers appreciated a more nuanced portrayal of Mormonism, in how it manifests with Pyre and others (potentially) involved in the murders. Garfield gave one of his best performances with this man who was asked to reexamine his moral foundation.
10George & Tammy (2022)
George Jones and Tammy Wynette were country music icons who dominated the charts during the sixties and seventies.George & Tammyis a biographical drama miniseries about their careers and personal lives. Episode one starts before they know each other when George is struggling with his alcoholism and Tammy is married to another man. Their careers were forever changed when Tammy saw him perform at the Grand Ole Opry and the rest is country music history.
A Compelling Look into the Lives of Two Legends
For those unfamiliar with the true story behind Jones and Wynette, this sounds like the setup for a beautiful love story. To be fair, in parts, it is. But George & Tammy’s relationship is fraught with tension and conflict from the start. They each are somehow the best and worst thing that happened to one another. Though the musical elements add a nice touch, the moments off-stage are the ones viewers will remember most.
9Alias Grace (2017)
Alias Grace
Alias Graceis a limited series based on the Margaret Atwood novel. It revolved around a set of murders in the 1800s. Thomas Kinnear and his housekeeper Nancy are found murdered. The prime suspects are Grace Marks, an Irish immigrant, and James McDermott. Both worked as servants on the property. In the present day, James has already been executed and Grace is waiting her turn. But she tells a psychiatrist her side of the story in this dual-timeline narrative.
What is the Truth?
The most well-known Atwood adaptation is hands-downThe Handmaid’s Tale. While that series deserves all its flowers, many wish Alias Grace was tossed a bouquet or two. Due to its nature as a limited series, it’s perfect for viewers who want a contained story that wraps up at the end. That’s not to say that it ends predictability. Like the actual story, many questions are still in the air regarding the truth of this case.
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8When They See Us (2019)
When They See Us
When They See Usis a drama byfilmmaker Ava DuVernay(Selma,A Wrinkle In Time,13th) about the Central Park jogger case and the teenage boys later referred to as the Central Park Five. In 1989, a woman was jogging through Central Park when she was brutally attacked and sexually assaulted. Countless crimes were taking place within the park’s boundaries that night and five boys were arrested and later convicted. They are released years later after the true culprit confesses.
No Justice
The true story behindWhen They See Usstruck a chord across the country. Even celebrities expressed their outrage, some even calling for the Central Park Five’s deaths. The series depicts how the boys were coerced into falsely admitting their guilt, their time in prison, and the difficulty in assimilating to life on the outside.
7A Very English Scandal (2018)
A Very English Scandalhighlights the “Thorpe affair.” Jeremy Thorpe was a Liberal Party leader in Britain’s parliament. For years, he (allegedly) had an affair with a stablehand named Norman. Jeremy kept the relationship secret, not wanting his sexual orientation to be made public. When Jeremy wanted to end the relationship, Norman threatened to expose the affair. Later, Norman claimed a hit on him was put out by his former lover.
A Brighter Addition
Although this series revolves around a murder plot, it is distinctively lighter in tone than several others on this list. Thorpe is played by Hugh Grant, while Ben Whishaw steps in Norman’s shoes. The show is sharply funny with two knock-out performances by the two leads. The Thorpe affair is popular in the UK, but those outside who are unfamiliar are in for a treat with this scandalous dramedy.
6Black Bird (2022)
Black Bird
James “Jimmy” Keene inBlack Birdthought he had it made. He amassed a fortune and was surrounded by those who admired and feared him. That all went away when the FBI raided his home and arrested him. Keene didn’t acquire his wealth on the straight and narrow. Now, he’s facing a decade in prison. Until law enforcement approaches asking for his help. They will free him and wipe his record if he agrees to a deal that’ll help them catch an even bigger criminal.
A Tough Dilemma
The real-life Keene wrote an autobiography detailing his experience which was released in 2010. The story was still relatively obscure until Apple TV nabbed Taron Egerton to play Keene. It’s not a perfect series, as some of the characterizations of side characters and antagonists come across as a bit ham-fisted and one-dimensional. Still, the hook of the show is compelling enough to keep viewers engaged. Would we put ourselves in harm’s way if it meant a fresh start? Answers may change before and after watchingBlack Bird.
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5Landscapers (2021)
Landscapersis a dark comedy that sheds light on murders that took over a decade to solve. William and Patricia Wycherley were an elderly couple who kept to themselves. Nobody asked questions after nearly fifteen years with no sightings. When police went to their home, the couple’s remains were found buried in the backyard. The perpetrators were none other than the Wycherley’s own daughter Susan Edward and her husband Christopher.
A Standout True Crime Series
Lots of true crime cases haven’t been solved for many years. What makes this case unique is the fact that the murder wasn’t even discovered for such a large amount of time.Landscapersshows all the instances of fraud the Edwards committed to secure this better life for themselves. Olivia Colman and David Thewlis play the murderous couple but have spoken out about their aim to set audiences off-kilter. Do the Edwards deserve any of our empathy?
