True crime series continue to take up a lot of space on networks and streaming services thanks to our unwavering desire to investigate the truly horrendous and dark side of humanity. Sometimes these adaptations are impactful and other times they are underwhelming. But, when they are done well, they can be some of the best programming on the small screen. One such series is the new Peacock drama A Friend of the Family.
Based on the shocking true story of Jan Broberg, A Friend of the Family follows two Mormon families in Idaho who become very close. One of the fathers, Robert Berchtold, becomes infatuated with the eldest daughter of the other family. Over the course of decades, a sinister relationship develops that involves kidnapping, pedophilia, and much more. It is truly shocking to watch unfold and even more alarming as to how it was able to occur in the first place. With a top-notch cast and creative team, A Friend of the Family is powerful stuff.
I recently had the chance to chat with the cast and creative team behind the series about bringing such a disturbing story to the screen. Colin Hanks, who plays Bob Broberg, and Mckenna Grace, who plays Jan, talked about how they prepared to tell this story in a way that would take the material seriously but also how hard it was to inhabit the minds of these victims. Jake Lacy, who plays Robert Berchtold, talked about embodying such a monstrous person on the heels of his great performance in The White Lotus. Lio Tipton, who plays Gail Berchtold, discussed whether her character was good, bad, or a victim herself. I also talked with producer/creator Nick Antosca (The Act, Candy) about how scary this material was to adapt as well as the real Jan Broberg herself and her motivation in bringing her own life story to the screen. You can check out the full interviews in the embed above.
A Friend of the Family is now streaming on Peacock.