Netflix is diving into the true crime business with its newest series, "Making a Murderer," which follows the real-life case of a man convicted of assault, exonerated and accused again of another crime, all within a 30-year span.
The 10-part documentary series will premiere on Dec. 18 and is directed by Laura Ricciardi and Moira Demos. The directors have captured the story of Stephen Avery, an outsider from the other side of the tracks, convicted and later exonerated for a brutal assault.
His release brought about major criminal justice reform legislation and filed a lawsuit to expose corruption in the local law enforcement, but in the midst of the case, he becomes the prime suspect in a grisly new crime.
"There are an unbelievable number of twists and turns in the story arc of 'Making a Murderer,' it feels like it has to be fiction," 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 you're right in the middle of the action."
Netflix will preview the first two episodes at DOC NYC film festival on Nov. 13
Continue reading for more of today's TV news:
NBC Sets Date for "Running Wild with Bear Grylls" Featuring President Obama
During his visit to Alaska this past summer, President Barack Obama teamed up with survivalist Bear Grylls for a special edition of his NBC series, "Running Wild with Bear Grylls," which will air on Thursday, Dec. 17 at 10 p.m.
The episode will feature an intimate conversation between Obama and Grylls on topics ranging from climate change, new energy resources and maintaining a clean environment as well as the president's life, his relationship with his wife and children, and balancing time at work and home.
Jada Pinkett Smith Set to Star in ABC Drama 'Murder Town'
ABC has given a put pilot commitment to the drama, "Murder Town," starring Jada Pinkett Smith, according to Deadline. Pinkett Smith will executive produce the series alongside Barry Schindel, who wrote the pilot.
The show centers on a beautiful and complicated prosecutor (Pinkett Smith) who makes history as Wilmington, Delaware's first African-American District Attorney. She finds herself confronted by old loyalties and loves, a shocking revelation about her murdered husband and a polarizing, racially-charged case that threatens to burn her and her city to the ground.
Lifetime Launches The A Cappella Competition Series, "Pitch Slapped"
Lifetime will debut its new docuseries, "Pitch Slapped," an a cappella competition show, on Tuesday, Jan. 5. The show will pit two rival New Jersey a cappella teams against each other over eight hour-long episodes.
The two teams will be led by a cappella veterans, Deke Sharon, the music director and vocal producer for both "Pitch Perfect movies, and Diana Preisler, a Broadway actress and lead singer of the a cappella group, Blue Jupiter.
Olivia Munn Producing 1970s Female Sportscaster Drama
Comedic actress Olivia Munn is producing a TV drama about a 1970s female sportscaster for The CW, according to Deadline. Ted Humphrey will write the untitled project and executive produce alongside Munn for CBS TV Studios.
The show is set in 1974 and centers on a young journalist who gets hired by an ambitious NY news programming chief as a publicity stunt to be one of the first female on-air sports reporters, and has to learn to navigate gender politics in front of and behind the camera at a time when women were literally not even allowed in the press box.
Netflix Reveals Key Art for "A Very Murray Christmas"
Bill Murray channels Bing Crosby's "White Christmas" album in the key art for his Netflix holiday special, "A Very Murray Christmas." The special will premiere on Friday, Dec. 4.
