Peacock has given a series order to ‘A Friend of the Family’, Deadline has announced. Nick Antosca (The Act, Channel Zero) will write the series, with Oscar winner Anna Paquin (‘True Blood’), Jake Lacy (‘The White Lotus’), Colin Hanks (‘American Crime Story’) and Lio Tipton (‘Why Women Kill’) to star. Eliza Hittman (Never Rarely Sometimes Always) is set to direct/executive produce multiple episodes, including the pilot. The series is based on the true-crime story of the kidnapping case of Jan Broberg, which was detailed in the Netflix documentary ‘Abducted in Plain Sight’
“Nick Antosca has created a compelling series in ‘A Friend of the Family’ that explores one family’s unimaginable experience with great insight and sensitivity,” said Lisa Katz, president scripted content, NBCUniversal Television and Streaming. “We can’t wait to see Anna Paquin, Jake Lacy, Colin Hanks, and Lio Tipton bring these complex characters to life, and we know Peacock audiences will connect with this incredible story of deception and resilience.”
[Related] ‘Antlers’ Explores Angry Spirits in Small Town America
A Friend of the Family is based on the harrowing true story of the Broberg family, whose daughter Jan was kidnapped multiple times over a period of years by a charismatic, obsessed family “friend.” The Brobergs — devoted to their faith, family, and community — were utterly unprepared for the sophisticated tactics their neighbor used to exploit their vulnerabilities, drive them apart, and turn their daughter against them. This is the story of how their lives were permanently altered — and how they survived.
Paquin will play Mary Ann Broberg, who realizes too late that she may have missed the warning signs from her charismatic neighbor Robert, especially when it came to trusting him around her oldest daughter, Jan. Lacy will tackle the role of Robert “B” Berchtold, a charming, and seemingly harmless Mormon father and business man. Hanks will play Bob Broberg, Mary Ann’s husband and Jan’s father. With Tipton playing Gail Berchtold, Robert’s wife and the mother of his children.
You can find the full story detailed in the Netflix documentary and also Mary Ann Broberg’s memoir Stolen Innocence: The Jan Broberg Story. Be sure to follow ScaryNerd and we will keep you updated as this story develops.
