Netflix has announced a new docuseries focusing on the explosive 2005 child abuse trial of Michael Jackson, coinciding with the blockbuster success of the late singer's biopic. The streaming giant revealed that Michael Jackson: The Verdict will premiere on June 3, delving into the controversial legal saga that saw the King of Pop acquitted of all charges.
Docuseries Details
The three-part series, directed by Nick Green and executive produced by Fiona Stourton, promises a forensic examination of the trial. According to a Netflix press release, the filmmakers stated: "It has been 20 years since the trial of Michael Jackson in which he was found not guilty. Yet, to this day, controversy still rages. No cameras were allowed in court, and so the public's view of the facts at the time were filtered by commentators and presented piecemeal. It was time to take a forensic look at the trial as a whole."
The series will present perspectives from both the prosecution and defense, utilizing archival footage and interviews with key players, including jurors, eyewitnesses, and accusers. Green and Stourton added: "Anyone interested in the Michael Jackson story should feel this documentary gives them a window into what was largely a closed event and a chance to feel closer to what happened."
Trial Background
During the 14-week trial, the prosecution called several boys who accused Jackson of molestation. The defense featured testimonies from celebrities such as Macaulay Culkin, Jay Leno, and George Lopez, attesting to Jackson's character. The jury deliberated for over 30 hours across seven days before acquitting Jackson of all 10 felony charges, including four counts of child molestation, four counts of administering alcohol to a minor to facilitate molestation, one count of attempted child molestation, and one count of conspiracy to kidnap a child. Jackson faced over 20 years in prison but denied all allegations until his death in 2009.
Biopic Success and Controversy
The announcement comes as the biopic Michael, starring Jackson's nephew Jaafar Jackson, surpasses $700 million in global ticket sales. The film, which ended Jackson's story in 1988 before any abuse allegations emerged, sparked backlash for omitting the controversies. Director Antoine Fuqua revealed that an earlier version addressed the 1993 allegations but was altered due to a prior settlement prohibiting their mention, leading to costly reshoots. Despite this, the film grossed $283 million domestically and over $703.8 million worldwide, on track to become the highest-grossing musical biopic globally.
Michael is currently in theaters, and Michael Jackson: The Verdict will stream on Netflix from June 3.
