AMC Networks’ SundanceTV is expanding its successful “True Crime Story” franchise with the renewal of It Couldn’t Happen Here, hosted by New York Times bestselling author Hilarie Burton Morgan (One Tree Hill, The Walking Dead) and greenlights for two new series – True Crime Story: Citizen Detective and Crimes of Entitlement (working title) – both focused on telling gripping true crime stories from unique perspectives.
All three series join SundanceTV’s robust slate of “True Crime Story” content this year, kicking off with the debut of Look Into My Eyes on June 15.
Blake Callaway, General Manager of SundanceTV said: “True crime is more popular than ever, and SundanceTV has an exciting slate of original series that provide a unique and elevated take on the genre. Our goal is to give audiences something they love and to raise the profile of cases that were unsolved or perhaps unjust.
“Even better if we can have some real-world impact along the way. We are thrilled to have Hilarie bring her empathic approach to crime in small towns and her fierce advocacy back for another season of It Couldn’t Happen Here.”
Said Morgan, “I know how special it is to partner with a studio, network, production company and crew who all see the value in doing things radically different in the true crime space.
“From the jump, we wanted to correct many of the predatory practices that exist in the genre, and instead lead with advocacy and compassion. The fact that fans have rallied and we are seeing real change is proof that we need to keep going and keep shining a light.”
Robert Friedman, executive producer of It Couldn’t Happen Here, added: “We are so happy that SundanceTV is renewing the series and continuing their commitment to shining a light on small town justice.
“Their reach, along with Hilarie’s passion for sharing the stories of underserved individuals, will continue to make a big difference in bringing awareness to these communities.”
Produced by Bungalow Media, the second season of It Couldn’t Happen Here will consist of six episodes. Throughout the series, Burton Morgan lends empathy and advocacy to small-town American crime stories to explore how major crimes impact these tight-knit communities and shed light on previously-adjudicated cases where doubt about the existing verdict lingers.
The series’ first season provided crucial awareness to overlooked cases that helped secure freedom for Devonia Inman, who had been wrongfully imprisoned for 23 years.
It Couldn’t Happen Here is produced by Bungalow Media + Entertainment. It is executive produced by Friedman, Liz Yale Marsh, and Mike Powers for Bungalow Media + Entertainment, Hilarie Burton Morgan for Mischief Farm, Liz DeCesare and Meg Mortimer for Authentic Management Productions, and Dan Flaherty and Po Kutchins.
Producers encourage those aware of any cases that were overlooked in small towns to submit their stories to [email protected].
From World of Wonder, True Crime Story: Citizen Detective is a documentary series that examines fascinating true crime stories through the eyes of the untrained amateur sleuths who solved them or are still trying to do so.
Each episode spotlights one new crime and the crime-fighter determined to make sure the case he or she is obsessed with is ultimately classified as “closed.” Executive producers are Randy Barbato, Fenton Bailey, Josh Bingham and Tom Campbell.
From Sidestilt Films, Crimes of Entitlement explores what happens when people who have little to gain and much to lose resort to criminal behavior. Blinded by their ego and sense of entitlement, they plan and execute the most elaborate crimes, to the point of absurdity.
So, why do they do it? In this documentary series, each episode will examine one of those absurd crimes and the entitled people behind them. The series is executive produced by Amy Bandlien Storkel & Bryan Storkel.
These series join the previously-announced four-part limited series Look Into My Eyes, which unfurls the bizarre story of Dr. George Kenney and his fall from grace after 10 years as a beloved principal at North Port High School in Florida where he practiced hypnosis on students. In 2011, three teenage students died after a series of suspicious events. When a local media story questioned his involvement, the case exploded into global news.
The series investigates events leading up to these untimely deaths and the tragic aftermath as victims’ families, eyewitnesses, experts, and people involved attempt to unpack what really happened. Look Into My Eyes is executive produced by Jason Blum, Chris McCumber, Jeremy Gold for Blumhouse Television; Ethan Goldman and Keayr Braxton for Anchor Entertainment; James Buddy Day; Mary Lisio; Eric Cook; and Vince Dale.
Mirko Parlevliet has been reporting on the entertainment industry since 1998 and founded Vital Thrills to cover the latest streaming, movie, TV, and game news.