True Crime Phenomenon Dirty John Is Heading to TV & the Cast Is Killer
I don’t know how I missed the news that Dirty John is getting an anthology series adaptation, but now that I’m aware this is happening, I am squealing with excitement.
If you missed it, Dirty John was a wildly successful true crime podcast from investigative journalist Christopher Goffard, released last fall and also published in serial installments in the LA Times. It follows the developing relationship between Debra Newell, a 59-year-old businesswoman in search of a romantic partner, and a handsome, charming con man named John Meehan (aka Dirty John).
We know from the start that the story ends in a murder, but not whose. The whole story unfolds so fantastically, and I won’t go any further to avoid spoilers, even though all I ever want to do is talk to people about the ending. I think about it probably way too much. The only thing that disappoints me about this adaptation is that it will extend the acceptable time frame for talking spoilers.
It will be interesting to see how Bravo, the network behind the series, will adapt it. They’ve already picked up the show for two seasons, even though the podcast is only one season long, with a pretty finite ending.
Connie Britton (Friday Night Lights, Nashville) recently joined the cast as Newell, the beautiful, successful businesswoman. It’s a piece of perfect casting.
Then yesterday Bravo announced that Eric Bana will be playing Meehan, the Dirty John. So far there’s no word on when this will hit our televisions, but you can be sure we’ll keep an eye out for developments. Newell’s two daughters played a substantial role in the original story, so I imagine Bravo will keep both characters intact. I’m excited to see who they cast for those roles.
(image: Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)
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