What the Epstein documentaries tell us about his case
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Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell attend a New York City event in 2005. Photo: Joe Schildhorn/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images
The investigation into Jeffrey Epstein has become a centerpiece for documentaries.
The big picture: Streaming services like Netflix, Hulu and Peacock offer multi-part series about the disgraced financier and his notoriety. Many of them include interviews with his accusers, like Virginia Giuffre, while also sharing information about the conspiracy theories surrounding Epstein's death.
The Epstein saga has received renewed attention in recent weeks as the Trump administration deals with the intense public pressure to release court files related to the Epstein probe.
- Tensions rose after a Wall Street Journal report alleged a "bawdy" birthday letter to Epstein bore President Trump's name. Trump has repeatedly deemed the ongoing Epstein story a "hoax."
- Trump also accused Epstein of poaching spa workers from Mar-a-Lago, including Giuffre, who previously alleged that Epstein's associate Ghislaine Maxwell recruited her from Mar-a-Lago for Epstein when she was a teenager. Giuffre died by suicide earlier this year.
- Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year sentence in a Florida federal prison.
By the numbers: U.S. viewership of Netflix's "Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich" documentary surged amid all the news, according to data sent to Axios from Luminate.
- The series jumped from 13.6 million total minutes watched from July 11 to July 17 to 73.1 million minutes watched from July 18 to July 24 — a 430% spike, per Luminate.
- Netflix published an article on Wednesday that pointed viewers to the documentary, too.
Here's a look at the prominent documentaries about Epstein, his accusers and the investigation available on streaming.
"Surviving Jeffrey Epstein"
What to know: The documentary was released in 2020 through Lifetime's "Stop Violence Against Women" initiative, which included documentaries about R. Kelly as well.
- "Surviving Epstein," which includes interviews with Giuffre, features explicit details of sexual abuse of minors and "delves into the aftermath the survivors are experiencing with no justice to be served," according to Lifetime's description.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
"Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich"
Zoom in: This documentary is based on James Patterson's best-selling book "Filthy Rich: The Shocking True Story of Jeffrey Epstein."
- The 2020 four-part series includes interviews with accusers, like Giuffre, and explains how Epstein earned his wealth and fortune.
- "Outlining Epstein's unlikely rise to the highest echelons of wealth and power, the series dissects his years of sexual abuse of minors and the network of enablers who supported him," Netflix said in a press release.
- The Epstein-centered project inspired a second "Filthy Rich" documentary centered on Maxwell.
Where to watch: Netflix
"Prince Andrew, Maxwell & Epstein"
Details: This documentary from Discovery+ runs less than an hour and focuses on Prince Andrew, who ran in Epstein's social circles and was accused by Giuffre of sexually abusing her. Andrew has denied the allegations.
- It also includes body language experts who examine the connection among Prince Andrew, Maxwell and Epstein.
Where to watch: Apple TV, Prime Video
"Who Killed Jeffrey Epstein?"
Reality check: This three-part series has a rather provocative title, but the project centers on how Epstein earned his wealth and the allegations he faced. The piece also covers the widespread conspiracy theories about his death, with the final episode titled: "Suicide or Murder?"
Where to watch: Hulu, Apple TV
"Epstein's Shadow: Ghislaine Maxwell"
Context: This three-part documentary focuses on the British socialite Maxwell and her connections to Epstein.
- Maxwell, who is still in prison after she was found guilty on multiple counts of conspiring to sex traffic minors, has been at the center of the Epstein probe recently as investigators seek more information about the financier.
Where to watch: Peacock
Netflix, Hulu, Peacock, Prime Video and Apple TV did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
