True crime is as popular as ever. This can be both a good thing and a bad thing. The crimes gain attention and can often help solve cases, but other times they can muddy investigations. The following series are both fantasticly filmed and tell the full story of what happened in each case!
1. "Exposed: The Case Of Keli Lane"
This is a fairly controversial Australian-based mini-series about the disappearance of Tegan Lane and the arrest of her mother, Keli Lane. The mother would gone on to be found guilty of allegedly murdering her 2-day-old infant. The controversy comes from viewers saying the documentary is biased, but what documentary isn’t? It explores the idea that perhaps Keli Lane is innocent and investigates areas of the case that might have been missed. It would be up to you, dear viewer, to decide who you believe is in the wrong. But the documentary is well done and respectful to all involved in the case. Stream on Prime Video and YouTube.
2. "The Disappearance of Madeleine McCann"
Madeleine McCann’s disappearance was a firestorm in the media in the early-2000s when 3-year-old Madeleine disappeared from the bedroom of her family's vacation home in Portugal. The 8-episode Netflix series explores the media reaction to the missing child and the overall investigation of her parents, even though they aren’t involved in the documentary. The series is a summary of what happened and is great for anyone who isn’t familiar with the case. Stream on Netflix.
3. "Mindhunter"
If you want something that doesn’t feel like a documentary, "Mindhunter" would be great for you. It is a Netflix scripted series based on the true crime novel of the same name, about Holden Ford (Jonathan Groff) and Bill Tench (Holt McCallany), FBI agents who first developed the idea of getting into the minds of serial killers to be better at solving crimes. This series explores Ed Kemper and many other notorious real-life serial killers and you can learn a lot about true killers and the terrors they inflicted on the world. Stream on Netflix.
4. "Evil Genius"
This series involves a bank robbery by a pizza delivery driver with a bomb strapped to his neck. The 4-part series explores new evidence in the case and the arrest of Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong for the murder of Brian Wells, the pizza delivery driver. It is a heart-pounding case full of bizarre twists and turns. The case leaves you wondering how you would react to being forced to rob a bank. It is a hard but fascinating story to watch. Stream on Netflix.
5. "The Jinx"
"The Jinx" is an HBO documentary about Robert Durst, a wealthy real estate mogul who had been arrested for several suspected murders. The series has 6 episodes in Season 1 and includes interviews with Robert Durst himself. The series shows how well Durst manipulated people, but when he didn’t get what he wanted, he would make sure whoever crossed him ended up six feet under. Stream on Max.
6. "Murder on Middle Beach"
This is another HBO series with a unique perspective. The series is directed by Madison Hamburg and is about the murder of his mother Barbara. It follows 8 years of investigation by the victim's son and tells the story of who his mother was and how she ended up being beaten to death outside their home. He looks into everyone in the small town he grew up in, even his own family. It gives a perspective we do not often see in true crime -- a first-party account of what had happened. Stream on Max.
7. "Explore With Us"
This one is a little different. Instead of the standard TV series run by a larger streaming platform, this is a high-quality YouTube channel that explores true crime stories with footage from real police interviews, body cams, and any other videos that they can get a hold of for their show. The research is immaculate, and they hire experts to explain the complex skills police and other investigators use to solve horrific crimes. It is a fantastic option for any true crime fanatic.
These series do their best to bring light to the stories of victims. For some of them, it is hard to say if there is one or more victims, and for others, it couldn’t be more obvious. But, they all tell stories that should never be forgotten, and that is the most important part of true crime series. They will not disappoint!