In front of A friend of the family star Jake Lacyplaying the role of a child predator was not something he took lightly.
The miniseries Peacock follows the incredible true story of John Broberg (Hendrix Yancy and McKenna Grace), who was kidnapped at the age of twelve by neighbor and close family friend Bob Berchtold (Lacy) in 1974. When the two were discovered in Mexico, Broberg was returned to her parents – only to be kidnapped by Berchtold again two years later.
In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Lacy said that while the series’ crew researched thoroughly and took precautions to respectfully depict the real-life horrors, what really struck him was the incredibly compassionate note he received from Broberg himself on the first day of recording.
“The note kind of described how Berchtold was warm and charismatic and funny and kind, and that was how he settled into the family and gained their trust and then how he got what he wanted,” Lacy shared. Broberg also served as a producer on the series.
“And the back half of the note said, ‘I’m fine, I’m in a healthy place, and I’m really glad you’re doing this, and you’re allowed to play this part and tell this story as you wish. without worrying.’ The level of grace and compassion for someone to offer that to me, who is just a stupid actor playing this part when she’s the one who actually lived through it, is beyond my comprehension.”
Lacy says there’s a “purpose” in telling Broberg’s story
A friend of the family It is not the first time that Broberg’s story has been filmed for the screen: the case was previously discussed in Netflix’s Kidnapped in plain sight.
Directed by Skye Borgman, was the true crime documentary criticized by critics due to the rushed handling of the subject – something Lacy kept at the forefront of his mind while working on the Peacock series.
“This isn’t some voyeuristic view of their lives or some tabloid version of a story. We wanted to be authentic and compassionate with what the experience was like within this family, within this community when this amazing young girl is kidnapped,” the actor said, emphasizing that this was about the victim, not the perpetrator.
“Ultimately, the saving grace for me, and for the production, was that there is a real purpose in telling this story: let’s shine a light on what it’s like to be a victim of both sexual abuse as a child, but also as a family.” and the people around it.”
A friend of the family now streaming on Peacock.