Harrowing ‘A Friend of the Family’ Trailer Debuts First Look at Peacock’s Latest True-Crime Series

A harrowing new true-crime series, A Friend of the Family, is making its way to Peacock.

The series, which made its trailer debut during tonight’s Emmy Awards, is inspired by the true story of the Broberg family, “whose daughter Jan was kidnapped multiple times over a few years by a charismatic, obsessed family ‘friend,'” per the show’s description.

The first look features The White Lotus star Jake Lacy as Robert Berchtold, the family friend in question who’s seen forming a close bond with the children of the neighborhood, and, in particular, his friend’s daughter, Jan.

“No one thinks that their best friend is a monster,” a voice says. “But he has all the hallmarks of a psychopathic personality.”

Executive producer Nick Antosca describes the series as existing “outside the typical categories of genre,” adding that “it’s a thriller built around obsessive relationships, a family drama, and a nightmarish coming-of-age story,” per a press release provided to Decider.

Plus, both Jan and Mary Ann Broberg, whose family the story is based on, act as producers of the series.

“As little girls, we talked and we listened around the dinner table every night. Mom and Dad were always there. We were so safe, so loved, so carefree,” Jan wrote in the same release. “Then, in 1972, we met the nicest new family at church, with children who matched us in age. A deep friendship ensued. Over several years, our families did hundreds of activities together: church parties, family dinners, boating and snowmobile trips, sleepovers, game nights, movies and barbecues.”

She continued, “Then on a normal afternoon, the father kidnapped me — and from age 12 to 16 I was sexually assaulted and severely brainwashed by this man who I trusted,” adding that this story will “make you talk, shout, cry — and it will make you angry.”

Aside from Lacy, the star-studded cast features Flack star Anna Paquin, Colin Hanks (The Offer), McKenna Grace (Ghostbusters: Afterlife), as well as Lio Tipton and Hendrix Lacey. The streamer will release nine, 60-minute episodes.

A Friend of the Family premieres Oct. 6 on Peacock.