Netflix Sets New Documentary Series

Netflix in December will embark on a 10-part documentary series Making A Murderer, the OTT service said Monday.

The series, inspired by a newspaper article from 2005, follows the story of Steven Avery, whose conviction and eventual  exoneration of a brutal assault led to major criminal justice reform legislation, even as becomes the prime suspect in a new crime. The series is directed by Laura Ricciardi and Moira Demos, said Netflix. 

“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,” said Lisa Nishimura, Netflix vice president of Original Documentary Programming in a statement. “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.”

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.