True-crime boom has a dark side

Creators and cast of Truth Be Told want viewers to question their obsession with the genre

Octavia Spencer plays Poppy Parnell, a true-crime podcaster, in Truth Be Told.
Octavia Spencer plays Poppy Parnell, a true-crime podcaster, in Truth Be Told. PHOTO: APPLE TV
New: Gift this subscriber-only story to your friends and family

The popularity of true-crime shows and podcasts has convinced millions of people they are armchair detectives. But Truth Be Told, an Apple TV+ drama debuting on Friday, has podcaster Poppy Parnell - played by Oscar winner Octavia Spencer - reconsidering the guilt of Warren Cave (Breaking Bad's Aaron Paul), the man she helped send to jail for murder.

At a recent press day in Los Angeles, Spencer, Paul and the show's creator Nichelle Tramble Spellman tell The Straits Times they want viewers to question their own obsession with true crime.

Already a subscriber? 

Read the full story and more at $9.90/month

Get exclusive reports and insights with more than 500 subscriber-only articles every month

Unlock these benefits

  • All subscriber-only content on ST app and straitstimes.com

  • Easy access any time via ST app on 1 mobile device

  • E-paper with 2-week archive so you won't miss out on content that matters to you

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on December 04, 2019, with the headline True-crime boom has a dark side. Subscribe