Lifetime’s groundbreaking, Emmy-nominated docuseries “Surviving R. Kelly” provided survivors of the singer’s sexual abuse a prominent platform in which to share their stories — and led to Kelly himself finally facing real consequences for the predatory behavior he’s been accused of for decades. Now the network is looking to do the same for alleged sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. Variety confirms docuseries “Surviving Jeffrey Epstein” is in the works at Lifetime, as is a four-part “Surviving R. Kelly” follow-up.
To be directed by “The Devil Came on Horseback” filmmakers Annie Sundberg and Ricki Stern, the Epstein project will take on the multimillionaire’s history of sexually abusing and trafficking underage girls — some as young as 14 — and collecting child porn. “He was previously convicted of soliciting an underage girl for prostitution in 2008 but got a controversial plea deal that only saw him serve approximately a year in custody,” the source notes. Like Harvey Weinstein and so many other sexual predators, Epstein’s power and friends in high places, like Donald Trump and Bill Clinton, are what allowed him to get away with his crimes for so long. Considered a flight risk due to his wealth, he is currently being held in a Manhattan jail cell.
“Surviving Jeffrey Epstein” will hail from Robert Friedman’s Bungalow Media + Entertainment.
A+E Networks president of programming Rob Sharenow announced the “Surviving R. Kelly” follow-up, subtitled “The Aftermath,” during the TCA’s summer press tour. The docuseries will present “interviews with new survivors, psychologists, and experts on the Kelly case.”
Sudi Khosropur will run and co-exec produce “Surviving R. Kelly: The Aftermath.” Jessie Daniels, dream hampton, Tamra Simmons, Maria Pepin, and Brie Miranda Bryant are among the docuseries’ exec producers.
“Surviving R. Kelly” has netted almost 30 million viewers as well as an Emmy nod for Outstanding Informational Series or Special. Since the six-part docuseries aired in January, more women have come forward with accusations against the singer, activists successfully demanded that Kelly be dropped by his record label, and many radio stations have refused to continue playing his music. A two-hour follow-up special, “Surviving R. Kelly: The Impact,” was broadcast in May. Hosted by Soledad O’Brien, it examined the effect “Surviving R. Kelly” had on culture, the way we talk about sexual abuse and its victims, and Kelly himself.
Kelly has been “indicted on 18 counts of serious sexual misconduct and other charges in Chicago and New York,” Variety details. “If convicted, he could face up 195 years in prison on the Chicago charges alone.” He has pleaded not guilty and is currently being held without bond in Chicago. He will be brought to New York for arraignment on August 2.
