While networks like ID Discovery have been producing true crime docuseries for a while now, it wasn’t until the podcast Serial and Netflix’s success with Make a killer that true crime became a hugely popular genre. Now with streaming and the popularity of miniseries, it feels like there are weekly docuseries being produced. Here are the new documentary series that stood out from the rest of 2022.
14/14 Conversations with a Killer: The Jeffrey Dahmer Tapes
Conversations with a Killer: The Jeffrey Dahmer Tapes premiered on October 7, 2022 and was directed by Joe Berlinger, who says the docuseries is “responsibly narrated.” The three-episode series is the third in the series Conversations with a killer series and discusses the murders of serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer. The series is told in archive footage and interviews with the lawyers about his case. The interviews with the lawyers are fascinating and provide insight into how they handled such a difficult case. Conversations with a Killer: The Jeffrey Dahmer Tapes now streaming on Netflix.
13/14 Trainwreck: Woodstock ’99
Trainwreck: Woodstock ’99 documents the three-day Woodstock ’99 music festival. The three-episode docuseries, directed by Jamie Crawford, is considered the king of mayhem documentaries as it depicts the events leading up to the riot that ended the festival. The story is wild and the interviews with attendees, employees and journalists are super entertaining and give the audience a real understanding of what went wrong. Trainwreck: Woodstock ’99 is now on Netflix.
12/14 11 minutes
11 minutes premiered on September 27, 2022 and tells the story of the deadliest mass shooting in American history. The four-episode docuseries interviews first responders and survivors of the October 1, 2017 tragedy at the Route 91 Harvest music festival on the Las Vegas Strip that killed 60 and injured at least 413. The interviews are heartbreaking and powerful as they discuss how they have tried to heal from the horrific events. 11 minutes currently streaming on Paramount+.
14/11 We need to talk about Cosby
Showtime’s portrait of a predator, We need to talk about Cosby explores the rise and fall of comedian Bill Cosby. The four-part series, directed by W. Kamau Bell, interviews journalists, comedians and survivors of Cosby’s many assaults. The series was released on January 30, 2022 and was praised for telling Cosby’s story while also having the awkward conversation about what he was doing. We need to talk about Cosby is now available on Showtime.
10/14 Welcome to Wrexham
Welcome to Wrexham tells the ultimate sports underdog story of Welsh football club Wrexham AFC. The 18-episode series follows Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds as they buy the National League team and try to lead them to the Premier League. The documentary is hilarious and has the comedy actors everywhere. But while it’s entertaining, it’s also informative about the sport and allows people who don’t watch football to understand what’s going on. Welcome to Wrexham currently streaming on Hulu.
9/14 Victoria’s Secret: Angels and Demons
Victoria’s Secret: Angels and Demons tells the story of the rise of billionaire Les Wexner, the longtime CEO of the Victoria’s Secret brand. Directed by Matt Tyrnauer, the series delves deep into Victoria’s Secret’s misogynistic beginnings and Wexner’s involvement with disgraced business magnate and child sex trafficker Jeffery Epstein. The series provides a dark insight into the inner workings of the massive brand and how Wexner built a global empire. Victoria’s Secret: Angels and Demons now streaming on Hulu.
8/14 Bad vegan: fame. Fraud. Fugitives.
Bad vegan: fame. Fraud. Fugitives. is a docuseries about the rise and fall of Sarma Melngailis, the former owner of the vegan restaurant Pure Food and Wine. The series tells the bizarre story of Melngailis’ marriage to con artist Anthony Strangis and how he was able to force her to steal money from her restaurant so that Strangis could pay “a deity” to grant them and Melngailis’ dog immortality. Bad vegan: fame. Fraud. Fugitives. now streaming on Netflix.
7/14 The deep end
The deep end follows controversial spiritual influencer Teal Swan, who documents her life and work. The series was developed for Freeform by director Jon Kasbe, who followed Swan for three years, gaining access to almost every aspect of her life. The deep end depicts Swan’s rise to fame and her cult-like following, which has led to claims that she is a dangerous cult leader. All episodes of The deep end are available on Hulu.
6/14 Web of Make Believe: Death, Lies, and the Internet
Web of Make Believe: Death, Lies, and the Internet explores the dark side of the world wide web. Through interviews with victims, witnesses and perpetrators, the series tells the stories of people caught up in misinformation and digital deception. The docuseries is fascinating because it discusses “SWATing”, the rabbit hole of white supremacy and Russian election meddling. Web of Make Believe: Death, Lies, and the Internet now streaming on Netflix.
5/14 Keeper of Ashes: The Oklahoma Girl Scout Murders
Keeper of ashes brings award-winning star Kristin Chenoweth (The witches) returns to her hometown to investigate the murder of three boy scouts. The series explores Chenoweth’s personal connection to the murders that took place at Camp Scott in 1977, as he interviewed law enforcement officers and people who were there at the time. Keeper of ashes is a fascinating story that continues to haunt the community decades later. Keeper of ashes now streaming on Hulu.
4/14 Be sweet: pray and obey
that of Netflix Be sweet: pray and obey is about the polygamous Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its current leader Warren Jeffs. Directed by Rachel Dretzin, the series features gripping interviews with FLDS survivors, including Rebecca Musser, the ex-wife of the late leader Rulon Warren, and her sister Elissa Wall. Be sweet: pray and obey is both shocking and packed with information about the inner workings of the Church. Be sweet: pray and obey now streaming on Netflix.
3/14 Meltdown: Three Mile Island
Meltdown: Three Mile Island recounts the events of the 1979 accident at the Three Mile Island Nuclear Power Plant in Pennsylvania, USA. The docuseries interviews insiders who discuss the controversies surrounding the incident and the event’s lingering effects. Meltdown: Three Mile Island is an interesting look at one of the most significant commercial nuclear power plant accidents in US history. Meltdown: Three Mile Island is available on Netflix.
2/14 Secrets of Playboy
Secrets of Playboy interviews former employees, Playboy models and former girlfriends of Hugh Hefner as they discuss the hidden truths behind the Playboy empire. The series delves deep into the darkness that surrounds the realm, which is just now coming to light with the #MeToo movement. The heartbreaking interviews of Hefner’s ex-girlfriends Sondra Theodore and Holly Madison reveal the inner workings of his household, while interviews from employees like former head of promotions Miki Garcia and former bunny mom PJ Masten recount the horrors that have befallen the Playmates and the Bunnies, including stories of sexual assaults by celebrities like Bill Cosby. Secrets of Playboy is available on AETV.
1/14 The Diaries of Andy Warhol
that of Netflix The Diaries of Andy Warhol brings the artist’s famous diary to life using an AI voiceover by Warhol to narrate his own notes from the 1989 publication. The series follows his life and relationships in the late 1970s and features interviews with people who knew the eccentric artist best. The series is a fantastic mix of the late artist’s own thoughts and memories of people who admired him, including John Waters and the editor of Warhol’s journals, Pat Hackett, who transcribed his calls to her. The Diaries of Andy Warhol now streaming on Netflix.