Everything we know about Hulu’s true crime docuseries
ABC News Studios presents a mysterious four-part documentary that focuses on one man’s quest to uncover the truth behind his brother’s tragic death. With Executive Producers Jeff Dupre And Maro Chermayeff, never let him go tells the story of Scott Johnson, a man who is described as gentle yet incredibly intelligent. He was a brilliant American mathematician whose early death in 1988 at the age of just 27 caused controversy in Australia.
His brother Steve’s determined search for answers would eventually uncover deeper issues surrounding violence and brutality against anyone who came out as gay within the community. Scott Johnson was just one of those individuals, and his death sparked significant public outrage and backlash in a case that has been reasonably resolved to this day. Here’s everything we know about the upcoming documentary.
What is Never Let Him Go about?
We say something based on the nature of the investigation and the time it took to arrive at a proper judgement. In addition, the lasting impact of the inquiry led to the widespread uncovering of similar cases and the controversial past of many Australian authorities, which must now be held accountable. In that case, Johnson’s death was initially ruled a suicide after his body was found at the base of a 200-foot cliff on Sydney’s North Head. However, it quickly became apparent that there was far more to his death than authorities initially suspected. Johnson’s body was found naked and is considered particularly unusual for an apparent suicide. Given the information at their disposal, that was a given. His family was unconvinced by the original decision.
Nearly 35 years later, including three investigations and a diplomatic intervention by the late Senator Ted Kennedy, her quest for justice would finally bear fruit. ABC’s production takes an intimate look at the life of Scott Johnson, a man whose brother admitted they had a difficult start in life after his parents’ split, but who found solace in the music of Beethoven and reading the works of JRR Tolkien. The series will explore never-before-seen real-time breakthroughs during the making of the documentary, as well as rare behind-the-scenes footage from 1980s Sydney. It will also feature critical interviews with investigators, key surveillance footage presented as evidence in the case and, for the first time, an interview with the killer’s wife. Viewers will explore how this vital evidence and the unique pattern of events lead to this death being exposed as a hate crime against an innocent gay man. Due to the efforts of Steve Johnson, he and his family found they had negative relationships with many of the police officers involved in his brother’s trial. Steve had a remarkably close relationship with his brother, as they often went mountain climbing together. He is now credited with exposing much of the anti-gay prejudice that was a clear systemic problem in law enforcement in the 1980s.
Does Never Let Him Go have a release date?
You can watch never let him go on Wednesday 6 September. The documentary series streams exclusively on Hulu. At this time, we don’t know where regions that don’t have access to Hulu will be able to watch the series, but chances are it will be available on Disney+ outside of the US.
Does Never Let Him Go Have a Trailer?
The trailer for the series was released on August 24, 2023 and quickly delves into the mystery surrounding Johnson’s death. It quickly introduces his family, who does not hesitate to describe his brilliant, fearless character, often idolized by those around him. Apparently they were afraid that he would come out as gay. Since the family already knew that people were beaten for the same reasons, they feared he would become an easy target for shady characters. Then his move to Australia and the tragic phone call confirming his death changed her life forever.
Uncovering dark secrets is an overarching theme of the documentary, as tensions between the police force and the Johnson family become clear as everyone involved tries to figure out exactly what happened. A series of interviews with family members and experts describe the snowball effect the case had and how it opened a hornet’s nest of information about patterns of violent attacks against gay men. The series will not only document how cruel the world can often be, but also the challenge of watching someone become consumed by unanswered questions.
Who are the people behind Never Let Him Go?
Produced by Show of Force and Blackfella Films never let him go for ABC News Studios, known for its compelling, true-crime-style investigative documentaries. The studio has produced several critically acclaimed documentaries such as Lady Bird Diaries and the same Betrayal: The perfect husband. This new docu-series promises to be no different as the filmmakers manage to capture breakthroughs in real time during the trial, such as the killer’s confession 35 years after Johnson’s death due to the discovery of a secret tape. The admission would ultimately result in a nine-year prison sentence for manslaughter, handed down by the New South Wales Supreme Court in Australia. The series has exclusive access to the confessed killer’s ex-wife, Helen Whitewho it was who finally tipped off authorities as she voiced her thoughts for the first time since the verdict.
More true crime documentaries will stream on Hulu
How I caught my killer – a peer-reviewed true crime series that highlights the real-life stories behind these unique cases with in-depth interviews, authentic archival footage and cinematic recreations, all brought together in a new take on the genre.
Stolen Youth: Inside the Cult at Sarah Lawrence – A group of bright students at Sarah Lawrence College fall under the dark influence of a friend’s father, Larry Ray. With unprecedented access to the survivors who lived with Ray, the film follows the cult from its inception through its enduring aftermath.
The Hillsong Secrets – A four-part documentary series based on Vanity Fair journalists Alex French and Dan Adler’s explosive original coverage of the megachurch scandals. The series contains the first interviews with former pastors Carl and Laura Lentz since they publicly left the church, whose congregation for years included musicians, actors, athletes and other celebrities. Many of the parishioners navigating the global reckoning are also voicing their perspectives as the church faces a barrage of new revelations.
