Netflix Announces ‘Making a Murderer’ Documentary Series

Netflix is delving into the true crime genre.

The streaming service will soon be releasing an original documentary series titled Making a Murderer. The series will consist of ten episodes and focus on the story of Stephen Avery.

Since 2005, directors Laura Ricciardi and Moira Demos have been researching Avery’s story. Avery had been convicted for brutal assault but was released after serving eighteen years in prison when it was discovered that the DNA analysis for the crime was linked to another man. His release brought about changes in criminal justice legislation to prevent wrongful convictions.

Following his release, Avery filed a lawsuit against local law enforcement, which he claimed was corrupt. However, during this case, he became the main suspect in the murder of photographer Teresa Halbach. He ended up being convicted for the crime and was sentenced to life in prison.

“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,” Netflix’s VP of original documentary programming Lisa Nishimura stated. “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.”

“If we had not been there to witness these events we would have trouble believing they actually occurred,” Ricciardi and Demos said. “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.”

Making a Murderer premieres on Netflix on December 18, 2015. The first two episodes will be shown at the DOC NYC film festival on Friday, November 13.