True crime podcasts are now some of the most popular shows across nearly every platform. With millions of listeners around the world, they’ve become essential for fans of the genre. In recent years, some of these stories have also been brought to the screen. Here, we’ve picked out the most striking true crime adaptations that went from podcasts to TV and streaming.
Dirty John
Based on Christopher Goffard’s podcast of the same name, Dirty John became one of the most talked-about podcast adaptations. Downloaded over 10 million times in its first few weeks, it was adapted for television by Alexandra Cunningham in 2018. Airing on Bravo in the U.S. and later on Netflix worldwide, the series tells the unsettling story of charismatic yet dangerous John Meehan and his whirlwind relationship with a woman named Debra Newell, a romance built on lies, manipulation, and violence.
Dr. Death
Based on Wondery’s popular podcast, Dr. Death was brought to the screen by Patrick Macmanus and made its ambitious debut on Peacock in 2021. Season one follows Dr. Christopher Duntsch, a Dallas neurosurgeon whose surgeries left patients maimed or dead, while season two shifts focus to Swiss surgeon Paolo Macchiarini, infamous for his experimental, and ultimately deadly, operations.
The Dropout
Adapted for the screen from Rebecca Jarvis’s ABC Audio podcast, The Dropout tells the story of the meteoric rise and dramatic fall of Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes. Created by Elizabeth Meriwether, the miniseries premiered on Hulu in 2022. It received six nominations at the 74th Primetime Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Limited Series, and Amanda Seyfried won both an Emmy and a Golden Globe for her portrayal of Holmes.
The Thing About Pam
Starring Renée Zellweger, The Thing About Pam tells the story of the 2011 murder of Betsy Faria in Troy, Missouri, a case that soon exposed shocking secrets about her friend Pam Hupp. Based on Dateline NBC’s reporting and its podcast of the same name, the series premiered on NBC in 2022. And a spin-off, The Thing About Tommy, is currently in development.
The Shrink Next Door
Based on Joe Nocera’s podcast of the same name, The Shrink Next Door brings together Will Ferrell and Paul Rudd in the lead roles. Inspired by a true story, it follows psychiatrist Dr. Ike Herschkopf as he gradually inserts himself into the life of his patient, Marty Markowitz, crossing personal and professional boundaries. Premiering on Apple TV+ in 2021, the series explores how the trust between therapist and patient can be manipulated.
Sweet Bobby: My Catfish Nightmare
Sweet Bobby: My Catfish Nightmare explores one of the most shocking catfishing scandals in recent memory. Adapted from Tortoise Media’s podcast of the same name, the series follows radio presenter Kirat Assi, who was deceived for nearly a decade by her own cousin Simran Bhogal posing as “Bobby.” The series premiered on Netflix in 2024.
Serial
Launched in 2014, Serial became a global phenomenon and helped define the true crime podcast genre. Created by Sarah Koenig, the first season investigated the 1999 murder of Hae Min Lee and the conviction of her ex-boyfriend, Adnan Syed. The story was later adapted as The Case of Adnan Syed, an HBO docuseries that revisited the trial and reignited debate over Syed’s guilt and the justice system itself.
Betrayal: The Perfect Husband
Jen Faison thought she had the perfect marriage with her husband, Spencer Herron, until a devastating secret turned her world upside down. Based on iHeartPodcast’s podcast of the same name, the three-part documentary series was released on Hulu in 2023.
Crims (Crimes)
Crims began as a radio program on Catalunya Ràdio in 2018 before expanding to television on TV3 in 2020. Co-produced by the Catalan Audiovisual Media Corporation and Goroka, and presented by Carles Porta, the series explores real crime cases from Catalonia. Each episode is guided by Porta and features voices from victims’ families, friends, police, forensic experts, judges, lawyers, journalists, and even some of the accused.
Veleno
In 1997, a small community in northern Italy was shaken by allegations of pedophilia and satanic rituals. An investigation pointed to an alleged sect led by a local priest, resulting in 16 children being taken from their families and 14 adults, including parents and relatives, sent to prison. Two decades later, journalist Pablo Trincia revisited the case and uncovered evidence that cast serious doubt on the original investigation. Adapted from his La Repubblica podcast, Veleno premiered on Prime Video in 2021.
Affaires Sensibles
Launched in 2014, Affaires Sensibles is a France Inter radio program hosted by Fabrice Drouelle. The show looks back at major political, economic, social, and cultural events of the 20th and 21st centuries, and has become one of France’s most listened-to and most-podcasted programs, attracting an average of 667,000 daily listeners in 2021. Its success led to several adaptations: a 2020 book collecting 25 standout episodes, a stage play in 2021, and a television version on France 2 the same year, co-produced by France Télévisions, France Inter, and INA.
Written by Yağmur Çöl, his article was featured in 221B Magazine’s MIPCOM 2025 issue.
