Jason Sarlanis knows that for some people, the Investigation Discovery network has stood for one thing: murder mysteries, frequently gruesome in nature and usually told in self-contained hourlong episodes. But with the success of docuseries “Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV,” that perception is quickly changing.
“It has been a fundamental shift for us,” says Sarlanis, who is president of TNT, TBS, TruTV and Hln in addition to ID. “It has brought a spotlight back to all the other things that are outside of the lane of what people expect an ID show to be.”
Those include recent limited series like “The Curious Case of Natalia Grace” and “Jared From Subway: Catching a Monster,” as well as partnerships with producers Octavia Spencer (whose output for the network includes docuseries “Lost Women of Highway 20” and “Feds”) and Michael Bay.
ID just made waves with the Kevin Spacey two-part documentary “Spacey Unmasked,...
“It has been a fundamental shift for us,” says Sarlanis, who is president of TNT, TBS, TruTV and Hln in addition to ID. “It has brought a spotlight back to all the other things that are outside of the lane of what people expect an ID show to be.”
Those include recent limited series like “The Curious Case of Natalia Grace” and “Jared From Subway: Catching a Monster,” as well as partnerships with producers Octavia Spencer (whose output for the network includes docuseries “Lost Women of Highway 20” and “Feds”) and Michael Bay.
ID just made waves with the Kevin Spacey two-part documentary “Spacey Unmasked,...
- 5/24/2024
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
Consider this Thelma & Louise meets Jack Ryan.
Amazon, following an intensive bidding war, has landed the action-adventure show starring Hannah Waddingham and Octavia Spencer with an eight-episode, straight-to-series order.
The untitled show is based on an original idea from Tessa Coates (Feel Good) that was taken out to six of the major streamers, four of which bought the show while in the room and with the others also making offers before Amazon emerged the victor, prompting the pitch to the seventh streamer to be canceled. The series was one of few new original scripted ideas that generated multiple offers in what many Hollywood insiders say has been an unusually quiet marketplace after the writers strike.
Ted Lasso Emmy winner Waddingham and The Help Oscar winner Octavia Spencer will star as best friends Judith and Debbie, respectively, who work to repair their friendship after Debbie learns Judith is a highly trained assassin.
Amazon, following an intensive bidding war, has landed the action-adventure show starring Hannah Waddingham and Octavia Spencer with an eight-episode, straight-to-series order.
The untitled show is based on an original idea from Tessa Coates (Feel Good) that was taken out to six of the major streamers, four of which bought the show while in the room and with the others also making offers before Amazon emerged the victor, prompting the pitch to the seventh streamer to be canceled. The series was one of few new original scripted ideas that generated multiple offers in what many Hollywood insiders say has been an unusually quiet marketplace after the writers strike.
Ted Lasso Emmy winner Waddingham and The Help Oscar winner Octavia Spencer will star as best friends Judith and Debbie, respectively, who work to repair their friendship after Debbie learns Judith is a highly trained assassin.
- 12/19/2023
- by Lesley Goldberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
“The View” co-host Sunny Hostin is taking a little more time to enjoy the TV milleu.
The multi-hyphenate is in the early stages of developing her first novel, “Summer on the Bluffs,” as a television series for Amazon MGM Studios. The series will be produced by Sunny Hostin Productions, Amazon MGM Studios and Octavia Spencer’s Orit Entertainment.
The book, published by William Morrow in 2021, follows the tales of three godsisters and their godmother, as well as the rich history of Oak Bluffs, an exclusive historically Black beach community in Martha’s Vineyard. The novel explores personal journeys, hidden secrets and the transformative power of heritage.
Elizabeth Hunter will adapt the novel for television and serve as executive producer and showrunner. She is known for films “Jumping the Broom” (2011) and “The Fighting Temptations.”
“Summer on the Bluffs” reps the first installment of Hostin’s summer trilogy. The book became an...
The multi-hyphenate is in the early stages of developing her first novel, “Summer on the Bluffs,” as a television series for Amazon MGM Studios. The series will be produced by Sunny Hostin Productions, Amazon MGM Studios and Octavia Spencer’s Orit Entertainment.
The book, published by William Morrow in 2021, follows the tales of three godsisters and their godmother, as well as the rich history of Oak Bluffs, an exclusive historically Black beach community in Martha’s Vineyard. The novel explores personal journeys, hidden secrets and the transformative power of heritage.
Elizabeth Hunter will adapt the novel for television and serve as executive producer and showrunner. She is known for films “Jumping the Broom” (2011) and “The Fighting Temptations.”
“Summer on the Bluffs” reps the first installment of Hostin’s summer trilogy. The book became an...
- 12/15/2023
- by Marc Malkin
- Variety Film + TV
The three-episode series comes to a conclusion, and we get to see the complications involved in the case where Rachanda Pickle, Kaye Turner, and two other girls were killed. The final episode of Lost Women of Highway 20 focuses on the case of the newest victims, Melissa Sanders and Sheila Swanson, and then on the fate of John Ackroyd, who just seemed to be on a killing rampage until he was caught and put in prison. The series highlighted the fact that killers such as John have to be caught during their initial days; otherwise, they don’t just magically stop, and bodies keep piling up. A culture that wouldn’t listen to the victims, pay attention to children and made them feel they couldn’t talk about their abuse to anyone, was bound to be in a position where it allowed people like John to prosper and commit crimes over decades.
- 11/11/2023
- by Ayush Awasthi
- Film Fugitives
The previous episode of the true crime documentary, Lost Women of Highway 20, about the disappearance of Kaye Turner and Rachanda Pickle, had me believing that the person who showed up at Gary’s, the Camp Sherman Store’s owner, was a different person than John Ackroyd, who was now being interrogated for Rachanda’s disappearance. But the episode begins and shocks everyone with the revelation that it indeed was John Ackroyd, who had a history of offenses, and if the police had been a little more discerning, they could have stopped Rachanda’s or Kaye’s murder. Episode 2 of the documentary focuses on the overall cultural unaccountability where men like Ackroyd were allowed to go scot-free even though there was circumstantial evidence against them in an older case. The inner workings of the police in a small town in Oregon were glanced over, and we got a clear sense...
- 11/11/2023
- by Ayush Awasthi
- Film Fugitives
Serial killers and American true crime documentaries are a match made in heaven. Lost Women of Highway 20 brings another case of serial killings, where several women went missing near a highway in Oregon. There is usual suspense created about whether the killer was caught, but in the first episode, the focus is more on the family dynamics. The episode is split into two parts, figuratively speaking. The first part concentrates on the disappearance of a girl named Rachanda Lea Pickle, and the second part on the murder of a woman named Kaye Turner, who went missing over a decade ago in the same region of Oregon. The two cases are hinted to be linked together, and through the different people involved in the case—the sheriff, the local store owner, and the news reporters—the case’s impact on the family dynamics is explored. All this is just in the first episode.
- 11/10/2023
- by Ayush Awasthi
- Film Fugitives
There are no fewer than six series beginning this week, with the return of For All Mankind and The Santa Clauses at the top of the list.
New series include Lawmen: Bass Reeves, The Buccaneers, Colin from Accounts, and The Buccaneers.
Those of us with streaming and cable (for all things Christmas) will have nothing to fear when it comes to a lack of content!
Saturday, November 4
8/7c Never Been Chris’d (Hallmark)
What’s Christmas without a healthy helping of Tyler Hynes?
In this delightful movie, best friends Naomi and Liz return home and run right into their shared high school crush – the dreamy Chris Silver.
What happens next establishes Never Been Chris’d as a new holiday classic by exploring how a different perspective can change your life.
8/7c A Dash of Christmas (Gaf)
Baking and Christmas? Who ever thought?
In this Gaf original, to apply for her dream job at a foodie startup,...
New series include Lawmen: Bass Reeves, The Buccaneers, Colin from Accounts, and The Buccaneers.
Those of us with streaming and cable (for all things Christmas) will have nothing to fear when it comes to a lack of content!
Saturday, November 4
8/7c Never Been Chris’d (Hallmark)
What’s Christmas without a healthy helping of Tyler Hynes?
In this delightful movie, best friends Naomi and Liz return home and run right into their shared high school crush – the dreamy Chris Silver.
What happens next establishes Never Been Chris’d as a new holiday classic by exploring how a different perspective can change your life.
8/7c A Dash of Christmas (Gaf)
Baking and Christmas? Who ever thought?
In this Gaf original, to apply for her dream job at a foodie startup,...
- 11/4/2023
- by Carissa Pavlica
- TVfanatic
On Wednesday, November 1, Investigation Discovery (ID) hosted a special event at Nya Studios West in Los Angeles for their upcoming series “Lost Women of Highway 20” from executive producer Octavia Spencer. The evening consisted of an advance screening of the first installment of the docuseries, followed by a fireside chat with Spencer and Paula Zahn, host of ID’s “On the Case with Paula Zahn.” Spencer also shared a sneak peek of another ID project, “Feds,” showcasing unprecedented access to active-duty FBI agents.
“When I was a kid I read mystery books because I’m dyslexic,” the Oscar winner told Zahn. “My teacher introduced mysteries to me to keep me engaged with narratives. There was a natural progression as I got older to read thrillers. At 11, I saw this little yellow book with red, fluffy writing called ‘Helter Skelter’ and I thought, ‘This looks like it’s gonna be a great book!
“When I was a kid I read mystery books because I’m dyslexic,” the Oscar winner told Zahn. “My teacher introduced mysteries to me to keep me engaged with narratives. There was a natural progression as I got older to read thrillers. At 11, I saw this little yellow book with red, fluffy writing called ‘Helter Skelter’ and I thought, ‘This looks like it’s gonna be a great book!
- 11/2/2023
- by Denton Davidson
- Gold Derby
On Monday, November 6, 2023, at 12:00 Am, Investigation Discovery airs the next episode of “Lost Women of Highway 20.” This gripping series continues with Episode 3, titled “Tip of the Iceberg.”
In this episode, the detectives are closing in on their suspect, who has eluded justice for far too long. However, as the net tightens around him, the predator is already seeking new victims. The pursuit of justice uncovers a chilling truth – the horrors witnessed so far may only be the beginning, with more dark secrets lurking beneath the surface.
As the investigation intensifies, a dedicated journalist works tirelessly to bring the truth to light, shedding much-needed attention on this harrowing case. Viewers can expect a riveting and suspenseful continuation of the story, with each episode revealing more about the disturbing events surrounding the disappearance of these women.
“Lost Women of Highway 20” promises to keep its audience on the edge of...
In this episode, the detectives are closing in on their suspect, who has eluded justice for far too long. However, as the net tightens around him, the predator is already seeking new victims. The pursuit of justice uncovers a chilling truth – the horrors witnessed so far may only be the beginning, with more dark secrets lurking beneath the surface.
As the investigation intensifies, a dedicated journalist works tirelessly to bring the truth to light, shedding much-needed attention on this harrowing case. Viewers can expect a riveting and suspenseful continuation of the story, with each episode revealing more about the disturbing events surrounding the disappearance of these women.
“Lost Women of Highway 20” promises to keep its audience on the edge of...
- 10/30/2023
- by Jules Byrd
- TV Everyday
This Sunday, November 5, 2023, Investigation Discovery brings back the chilling true crime series, “Lost Women of Highway 20,” with its second episode titled “Hidden in Plain Sight.” In this episode, viewers are taken on a gripping journey as detectives uncover the shocking revelation that Rachanda Pickle’s mysterious disappearance is linked to a series of crimes concealed deep within Oregon’s wilderness.
As they delve deeper into the investigation, detectives unearth unsettling connections to other unsolved cases, shedding light on a dark and hidden world of criminal activity. The pressure intensifies as they close in on a suspect who has managed to elude justice for decades.
“Lost Women of Highway 20” is a real-life thriller that provides a raw and unfiltered look at the relentless pursuit of justice. With the suspect always one step ahead, viewers are in for a suspenseful ride as the detectives work tirelessly to solve these perplexing cases.
As they delve deeper into the investigation, detectives unearth unsettling connections to other unsolved cases, shedding light on a dark and hidden world of criminal activity. The pressure intensifies as they close in on a suspect who has managed to elude justice for decades.
“Lost Women of Highway 20” is a real-life thriller that provides a raw and unfiltered look at the relentless pursuit of justice. With the suspect always one step ahead, viewers are in for a suspenseful ride as the detectives work tirelessly to solve these perplexing cases.
- 10/29/2023
- by Jules Byrd
- TV Everyday
This Sunday, November 5, 2023, Investigation Discovery brings you a new true-crime series, “Lost Women of Highway 20,” with its premiere episode titled “Vanished.”
In this compelling episode, viewers will be drawn into the mysterious disappearance of 13-year-old Rachanda Pickle. When a young person vanishes, questions and suspicions arise. In this case, the spotlight falls on Rachanda’s father, who has a troubled past, leading to a cloud of doubt surrounding his involvement in her disappearance.
“Lost Women of Highway 20” delves into the unsettling cases of women who have gone missing along a stretch of highway, exploring the mysteries and seeking answers to what happened to them.
True crime enthusiasts and those intrigued by real-life mysteries won’t want to miss this series. Tune in at 10:00 Pm on Investigation Discovery for the premiere episode, “Vanished,” and be prepared for a gripping and thought-provoking journey into the world of unsolved cases.
In this compelling episode, viewers will be drawn into the mysterious disappearance of 13-year-old Rachanda Pickle. When a young person vanishes, questions and suspicions arise. In this case, the spotlight falls on Rachanda’s father, who has a troubled past, leading to a cloud of doubt surrounding his involvement in her disappearance.
“Lost Women of Highway 20” delves into the unsettling cases of women who have gone missing along a stretch of highway, exploring the mysteries and seeking answers to what happened to them.
True crime enthusiasts and those intrigued by real-life mysteries won’t want to miss this series. Tune in at 10:00 Pm on Investigation Discovery for the premiere episode, “Vanished,” and be prepared for a gripping and thought-provoking journey into the world of unsolved cases.
- 10/29/2023
- by Jules Byrd
- TV Everyday
Octavia Spencer and Investigation Discovery have joined forces for two new true crime series. Feds and Lost Women of Highway 20 will arrive on the cable channel in November.
Feds will take viewers behind the scenes at the FBI. As for Lost Women of Highway 20, the series dives into a pattern of disappearances of multiple women along a stretch of Highway 20.
Read More…...
Feds will take viewers behind the scenes at the FBI. As for Lost Women of Highway 20, the series dives into a pattern of disappearances of multiple women along a stretch of Highway 20.
Read More…...
- 10/9/2023
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
ID’s set a November 5, 2023 premiere date for Lost Women of Highway 20, a three-part true crime documentary series executive produced by Oscar winner Octavia Spencer (The Help). The docuseries marks the first project to air under Spencer’s deal with Investigation Discovery. Spencer’s partnership with ID also includes the six-part series FBI debuting on November 8th at 10pm Et/Pt.
All episodes of Lost Women of Highway 20 will drop on November 5, while new episodes of FBI will air on Wednesdays following its November 8th premiere.
“As an avid fan of true crime, to now be partners with ID and October Films is a dream,” stated Octavia Spencer when the partnership was announced. “Everyone at Orit Entertainment is committed to shedding light on the most fascinating cases and crime stories with a unique perspective. We are thrilled to launch our collaboration with Highway 20, an incredible series of cases that took place over decades,...
All episodes of Lost Women of Highway 20 will drop on November 5, while new episodes of FBI will air on Wednesdays following its November 8th premiere.
“As an avid fan of true crime, to now be partners with ID and October Films is a dream,” stated Octavia Spencer when the partnership was announced. “Everyone at Orit Entertainment is committed to shedding light on the most fascinating cases and crime stories with a unique perspective. We are thrilled to launch our collaboration with Highway 20, an incredible series of cases that took place over decades,...
- 10/7/2023
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
Octavia Spencer’s ‘The Lost Women Of Highway 20’ & ‘Feds’ True Crime Docuseries Coming to ID (Video)
In a collaboration between Investigation Discovery (ID) and Academy Award-winning actress/producer Octavia Spencer, comes two new true crime docuseries, Lost Women Of Highway 20 and Feds. Narrated by Spencer herself, Lost Women Of Highway 20 is a gripping new six-part series that takes an in-depth look inside the FBI, and offers unprecedented access to active-duty agents. The docuseries kicks off with the mysterious disappearance of 13-year-old Rachanda Pickle in 1990. As detectives delve into her case, they uncover a chilling trail of missing and murdered women that stretches back for decades along Oregon’s US Highway 20. Even more disturbing is that the perpetrator evades capture, hiding in plain sight. This documentary is set to delve deep into the case, raising poignant questions about society’s treatment of women, both in the past and today. Meanwhile, Feds is a six-part series offering an unprecedented look inside the FBI, taking viewers into...
- 10/6/2023
- TV Insider
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