Prime Video Orders Docuseries About the University of Idaho Murders

Prime Video announced that it has ordered a docuseries chronicling the November 2022 murders of four University of Idaho students and the subsequent investigation, arrest, and trial of suspect Bryan Kohberger. Produced by Skydance Television and Story Syndicate, the docuseries will be shot in conjunction with the investigation and research of bestselling author James Patterson and award-winning investigative journalist Vicky Ward for their upcoming nonfiction title based on the murders.

Emmy® and Peabody Award winner Liz Garbus (I’ll Be Gone in the Dark, Yellowjackets) is set to co-direct the docuseries with IDA Award winner Matthew Galkin (Murder in the Bayou, Kevorkian). A scripted series about the murders is in Development at Amazon MGM Studios with Garbus attached to direct the first episode.

The documentary series has full and exclusive support from the family of victim Ethan Chapin and Maddie Mogen’s mother and stepfather, who are participating exclusively in documentary interviews for the first time. The series will premiere exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.

“We are honored that the Chapin and Laramie families have decided to exclusively collaborate with us to shine a light on the personal stories of Ethan and Madison, as well as Xana and Kaylee,” said directors Liz Garbus and Matthew Galkin. “Our unparalleled access to the families and closest friends will allow us to paint intimate and authentic portraits of all four victims and their lives at the University of Idaho, which were so tragically cut short. We couldn’t ask for better partners than Skydance and James Patterson Entertainment to help bring the definitive telling of this important story to the world.”

“The events that transpired in Moscow, Idaho shocked the world and left many unanswered questions,” said Matt Thunell, President, Skydance Television. “With Liz Garbus and James Patterson at the helm, and with the involvement of the Chapin and Laramie families, we will shed new light on these horrific murders and honor the four innocent lives that were taken too soon.”

David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, and Matt Thunell will executive produce for Skydance Television, with James Patterson, Bill Robinson, and Patrick Santa executive producing for James Patterson Entertainment. Liz Garbus, Dan Cogan, Jon Bardin, and Kate Barry will executive produce for Story Syndicate with Matthew Galkin executive producing for Fairhaven.

Both the docuseries and the scripted series stem from Skydance Television’s exclusive first-look deal with Patterson to develop a slate of premium series based on his top-selling book series, including Women’s Murder Club and Michael Bennett, along with the internationally acclaimed book series Private, the recently released first book in the Jane Smith series, 12 Months to Live, and Holmes, Marple, and Poe. Additionally, Paramount Television Studios and Skydance Television produce the upcoming series Cross, starring Aldis Hodge, based on the best-selling Alex Cross novels from Patterson.

The docuseries marks Skydance Television’s sixth project with Prime Video, following the hit series Reacher and Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, as well as the upcoming Cross and recently announced The Runarounds and an action-adventure series starring Octavia Spencer and Hannah Waddingham. Skydance Television’s current slate also includes Foundation, The Big Door Prize, and FUBAR, along with the upcoming series Neuromancer and an untitled comedy starring Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson.

This also marks Story Syndicate’s third project with Prime Video following the acclaimed features All In: The Fight for Democracy and Mayor Pete.