Interest in Docuseries Spikes During Epstein Files Debate

With the debate over releasing government files on sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein renewed, viewers are looking to documentaries for more information on the case. For the week of July 18-24, Netflix reports that its 2020 docuseries Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich spiked in viewership, totaling 73.1 million minutes watched for the four episodes, Deadline reports. That was a 430% increase from the 13.6 million minutes of the week before, according to data from Luminate. The docuseries provides context for the current disputes, per US Weekly, and gives insight into how Epstein's crimes went unchecked for decades. A look at a few Epstein documentaries streaming now:

• Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich: Based on author James Patterson's best-seller, the Netflix docuseries includes interviews with survivors, looks into how he accrued the wealth and power to get away with his sexual abuse, as well as the plea deal he won in Florida on charges of soliciting prostitution, per the Hollywood Reporter. That was the agreement overseen by Alex Acosta, who later became President Trump's labor secretary, that gave Epstein immunity from federal criminal charges. The program highlights the bravery of Epstein's victims, per US Weekly.
• Surviving Jeffrey Epstein: The four-episode Lifetime documentary, which streams on Apple TV and Prime Video, was released in 2020. It runs through the arrest of Ghislaine Maxwell and has interviews with their accusers. It's on Prime Video.
• Who Killed Jeffrey Epstein?: The three-part Investigation Discovery documentary looks at the conspiracy theories around Epstein's death in his cell. Its interview subjects include legal analysts, journalists, former Epstein colleagues and attorneys for victims and the defense. It's on Apple TV, Prime Video, and Hulu.

• Prince Andrew, Maxwell & Epstein: Considerably shorter is the 43-minute Discovery+ program that includes analysis from "experts in body language, linguistics and forensic psychology [to] examine the words and actions of disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell and Prince Andrew." It was released in 2020 and is on Prime Video and YouTube.
• Epstein's Shadow: Ghislaine Maxwell: This three-part documentary was released shortly before Maxwell went on trial in 2021, per the Reporter. It covers how her life "takes a sordid downturn when she meets Jeffrey Epstein, the serial sex offender, [revealing] a complicated story of power, sex and money." It's on Peacock.