Hearst Networks Orders Lizzie Borden & Aileen Wuornos Docs

Hearst Networks has commissioned two new true-crime documentaries, "Lizzie Borden: 40 Whacks" and "Aileen Wuornos: Damsel of Death," from the production team behind the recently released "Ed Gein: Original Psychopath." This expansion of Hearst Networks' documentary offerings signifies a continued investment in the true-crime genre, building on the success of their previous collaboration. The new projects will be produced by Spirit Studios and distributed by BossaNova Media, marking a renewed partnership with these entities.

"Ed Gein: Original Psychopath," which explored the life and crimes of the infamous serial killer, was a notable release for Crime+Investigation, a channel within the Hearst Networks portfolio. The documentary utilized AI-aided techniques in its production, a detail that suggests a forward-looking approach to documentary filmmaking by the network and its partners. The success of this project appears to have directly influenced the decision to greenlight further documentaries from the same creative group. The focus on notorious female figures like Lizzie Borden and Aileen Wuornos indicates a strategic direction within Hearst's true-crime content strategy, potentially tapping into public fascination with these historical cases.

Lizzie Borden is famously associated with the 1892 axe murders of her father and stepmother in Fall River, Massachusetts, a case that has captivated the public imagination for over a century, despite her acquittal. Aileen Wuornos, on the other hand, was a serial killer who operated in Florida and was executed in 2002 after being convicted of the murders of seven men. Both figures represent significant, albeit dark, chapters in American criminal history, offering rich material for in-depth documentary exploration. The titles themselves, "40 Whacks" and "Damsel of Death," hint at the sensational and potentially graphic nature of the content, aiming to draw viewers into the details of these infamous cases.

The collaboration between Hearst Networks, Spirit Studios, and BossaNova Media underscores the current landscape of documentary production and distribution, where strategic partnerships are crucial for reaching audiences. Crime+Investigation, as a key platform for these documentaries, will likely feature these new productions prominently. The decision to revisit these well-known but complex figures suggests an ongoing effort to provide new perspectives or delve deeper into the psychological and societal factors surrounding their crimes, potentially leveraging the same AI-aided methodologies that characterized the Ed Gein documentary. The network's commitment to this genre and these specific subjects indicates a strong belief in their marketability and audience appeal.