Some shows are referred to as “ripped from the headlines.” The new Netflix original, Making a Murderer — a true crime documentary — is more aptly described as being slowly and meticulously torn from the headlines, over the course of a decade.
The ten-part series, which premieres worldwide on Netflix, December 18, 2015, is directed by Laura Ricciardo and Moira Demos. Ricciardo and Demos spent ten years documenting the story of Steven Avery. Avery was convicted of rape and imprisoned for 18 years, before being exonerated by DNA evidence. He was released in 2003. Two years later, Avery and his nephew are the prime suspects in a murder case. Continue on for all the details.
Here’s the press release:
NETFLIX ANNOUNCES NEW ORIGINAL DOCUMENTARY SERIES MAKING A MURDERER
The Most Compelling American Crime Story You’ve Never Heard Of
Nov 09, 2015
Beverly Hills, Calif., November 9, 2015 — Netflix, the worlds leading Internet TV network, will premiere a captivating original ten-part documentary crime series Making a Murderer on December 18, 2015 exclusively to Netflix members worldwide.
Inspired by a newspaper article from 2005, directors Laura Ricciardi and Moira Demos have spent the last decade documenting an unprecedented real-life thriller that spans more than thirty years. Set in Americas Heartland, Making a Murderer follows the harrowing story of Steven Avery, an outsider from the wrong side of the tracks, convicted and later exonerated of a brutal assault. His release triggered major criminal justice reform legislation, and he filed a lawsuit that threatened to expose corruption in local law enforcement and award him millions of dollars. But in the midst of his very public civil case, he suddenly finds himself the prime suspect in a grisly new crime.
The series takes viewers inside a riveting, high-stakes criminal case where reputation is everything and things are never as they appear. The filmmakers have documented every angle of the story, following the second investigation and ensuing trial of the accused, petitioning the court to avoid having to turn over their footage, gathering archival materials, and interviewing those closest to the case.
“There are an unbelievable number of twists and turns in the story arc of Making a Murderer, it feels like it has to be fictional,” said Lisa Nishimura, Netflix VP of Original Documentary Programming. “Ricciardi and Demos have navigated very complex terrain and skillfully woven together an incredible series that leaves you feeling like youre right in the middle of the action.”
“If we had not been there to witness these events we would have trouble believing they actually occurred. Our goal has always been to share that experience with viewers. Our partnership with Netflix has allowed us to tell this story in a way that wouldn’t have been possible anywhere else,” said directors Laura Ricciardi and Moira Demos.
Making a Murderer examines allegations of police and prosecutorial misconduct, evidence tampering and witness coercion. The filmmakers look at what went wrong in the first case and question whether scientific advances and legislative reforms over the past three decades have gotten us any closer to delivering truth and justice in the system.
Netflix will present a special preview of the first two episodes of Making a Murderer at the DOC NYC film festival on Friday, November 13.
Making a Murderer is the latest project in Netflix’s slate of original documentary and docu-series programming, including the Oscar-nominated films The Square and Virunga as well as What Happened, Miss Simone?, Winter on Fire: Ukraine’s Fight for Freedom and Chef’s Table.
About Netflix
Netflix is the world’s leading Internet television network with over 69 million members in over 60 countries enjoying more than 100 million hours of TV shows and movies per day, including original series, documentaries and feature films. Members can watch as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, on nearly any Internet-connected screen. Members can play, pause and resume watching, all without commercials or commitments.
What do you think? Had you heard of Avery’s story, before? Do you plan to check out Making a Murderer?
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