“A Friend of the Family” showrunner and executive producer Nick Antosca is no stranger to the gritty world of true crime, having previously been a writer for the Hulu series “The Act.” Antosca’s latest project comes in the form of a web series based upon the popular 80’s horror franchise “Chucky” and is currently in its second season.
“A Friend of the Family” is based on the tragically true story of the Broberg family. In the early ’60s, their daughter Jan was kidnapped multiple times over a period of years by an obsessed family friend.
The nine-episode series will be directed by Eliza Hittman and will have a runtime of 60 minutes. Hittman has previously worked on shows such as “13 Reasons Why” and “Never Rarely Sometimes Always.”
“A Friend of the Family” will star Anna Paquin as Mary Ann Broberg, a mother of three daughters who realized she missed the warning signs too late. Mary’s husband will be played by “The Offer” actor Colin Hanks and the kind-hearted and friendly father Bob Broberg.
“The White Lotus” actor Jake Lacy will play neighbor Robert “B” Berchtold, a local businessman and a Mormon father and husband. He’s an expert in manipulation and puts everyone around him at ease as he carefully plots the abduction of Mary Ann’s daughter.
Playing the Broberg children will be Lio Tipton (“Why Women Kill”), Hendrix Yancey (“George and Tammy”), and “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” star Mckenna Grace as Jan Broberg.
Here’s the official synopsis:
“A FRIEND OF THE FAMILY” is based on the harrowing true story of the Broberg family, whose daughter Jan was kidnapped multiple times over a period of a few years by a charismatic, obsessed family “friend.” The Brobergs — devoted to their faith, family, and community — were utterly unprepared for the sophisticated tactics their neighbor used to exploit their vulnerabilities, drive them apart, and turn their daughter against them. This is the story of how their lives were permanently altered — and how they survived.
“A Friend of the Family” will premiere on Peacock on October 6, 2022. Watch the trailer.
