It wasn’t long ago that everyone seemed to both know and ignore the accusations of sexual abuse that had long followed R. Kelly. For years fans played “Ignition (Remix)” and other hits on repeat, while Kelly denied accusations that included, among other things, holding young women against their will in a “cult”-like environment. Then came Lifetime’s Surviving R. Kelly docuseries, which broke ratings records for the network, earned an Emmy nomination, and finally turned the tide against the embattled singer.
Soon after the project debuted, Kelly was indicted and now faces 18 federal counts. Kelly continues to deny any wrongdoing, but this time it seems the public is done listening to him. Now Lifetime has set its sights on a new subject: Jeffrey Epstein.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Surviving Jeffrey Epstein will examine how the mogul reportedly used his wealth and status to avoid consequences for allegedly preying on young women and girls for decades—even after being convicted in 2008 for soliciting prostitution from an underage girl. (Another newly announced project from Lifetime will tackle a lighter subject: the college-admissions scandal.)
The mounting accusations against Epstein are horrifying, and following Epstein’s arrest earlier this month, the public has been transfixed. Epstein has pleaded not guilty, and whatever new details Surviving Jeffrey Epstein might uncover remain to be seen. But given the public interest in the case—and the success and consequences of Surviving R. Kelly and recent projects like it—Epstein should be worried.
Spectators are already beginning to wonder if Epstein could somehow avoid life in prison. It’s a reasonable question, given that he already avoided a long prison stay once after his 2008 conviction. But this time, at least, it seems his old tactics aren’t working; a judge denied Epstein’s plea to be released on a bond of up to $100 million, a decision Epstein is now appealing. And as the lurid stories continue to pour out, it seems reasonable to assume Epstein’s bad luck will only continue.
Per the Hollywood Reporter, as Lifetime works to continue its venture into the investigative-documentary space, Rob Sharenow, president of programming for A+E Networks, says that Surviving Jeffrey Epstein will expose Epstein’s predatory behavior, which he said was “hiding in plain sight.” One of the most compelling parts of Surviving R. Kelly was its vast collection of interviews—which made the human cost of the singer’s alleged actions plain and undeniable. It seems likely that Lifetime will find a similar wealth of sources for Surviving Jeffrey Epstein—and as we’ve seen from both the R. Kelly doc and Leaving Neverland, HBO’s Michael Jackson documentary which interviewed two of the late King of Pop’s alleged victims, few things can move the public like hearing from the victims themselves. As Epstein continues to wage his battle in court, Surviving Jeffrey Epstein will likely only make his case more difficult.
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