Netflix Sets June Release for ‘The Witness’ True-Crime Drama Series and Companion Doc

Netflix has released a major update on one of its most anticipated true-crime dramas of the year. Not only did we get the first look at the three-part drama series and a confirmed June release date WitnessBut Netflix also confirmed its companion documentary, murder of rachel nickel. Both titles are set to release globally on Netflix on June 4.

If you’ve been following our coverage, you’ll know that we’re keeping a close eye on The Witness. The series was first unveiled during Netflix UK’s huge Next Showcase in 2024, and the most recent comprehensive preview of everything we know so far came back later that year. Although the series was initially slated for 2025, it took a little longer to arrive on our screens.

Here are the details of everything Netflix told us about the two projects coming our way this June.

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Witness (three-part drama series)

Based on a devastating true story, The Witness takes us back to the aftermath of the tragic murder of Rachel Nickell on London’s Wimbledon Common in 1992.

Rather than focus solely on the crime, the drama focuses on the heartbreaking aftermath through the eyes of Rachel’s partner, Andre Hanscombe, and their two-year-old son, Alex, who was the only eyewitness to the attack. As Andre becomes a single parent overnight, he is forced to deal with unimaginable grief, a dishonest media frenzy, and an increasingly desperate police investigation – all while making the welfare of his tormented son his top priority.

Netflix promises a powerful story of a father and son moving “from darkness to light.”

behind the camera on witness

• Producer, Writer and EP: rob williams
• Director: alex winkler
• Manufacturer: Alison Sterling
• Executive Producer: Sarah Brown (for STV) and John York
• production company: stv studio drama
• Consultant: Alex and Andre Hanscombe

main cast

• Jordan Bolger as Andre Hanscombe
• james bradshaw as DCI Tony Nash
• james dryden DC as Paul Miller
• Kevin Alden as DCI Mick Vickerson
• max fincham as Alex Hanscombe (teenager)
• Kerry Godliman as of june
• neil maskell as DI Keith Pedder
• john pointing DC as Nick Sparst
• Claire Rushbrook as Dr. Jean Harris-Hendrix
• mark stanley DS as Ivan Agnew

secondary cast

• Paul Chahidi as Professor Paul Britton
• jack shalu as pierce
• Christos Lawton as an actor
• oliver devoty as Detective Jackman
• tom ashley as Philip Tandy
• shaun tallow Crime scene forensics
• Wendy-Anne Daloz as a journalist
• nick dutton as Tim Williams

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The Murder of Rachel Nickell (standalone documentary)

In a surprise addition to the slate (at least this soon), Netflix is ​​also releasing a standalone documentary that unpacks the infamous, years-long police investigation following the 1992 murder. It serves as a companion documentary that can be watched before or after the main scripted show. It follows in the footsteps of countless other companion documentaries released by Netflix along with scripted counterparts over the past few years.

Directed by BAFTA-nominated filmmaker Lucy Bowden, the documentary sheds in-depth light on how a highly publicized and deeply flawed investigation led to the prosecution of the wrong man, before a surprise breakthrough ultimately reignited the family’s fight for justice more than a decade later.

The document will include exclusive archive footage, first-hand accounts from family members and insights from leading forensic experts. As part of today’s reveal, Netflix also shared a first-look clip from the documentary, featuring previously unseen home video footage of young Alex and Andre, as well as the family’s personal archive photos.

Behind the camera on the documentary:

• Director and Producer: lucy bowden
• Executive Producer: Emma Tutti, Tanya Winston and Danny Horan
• production company: blast films

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A message from the family

Perhaps the most poignant part of today’s announcement is a joint statement from Alex and Andre Hanscomb, who have been extensively involved as consultants on the drama and have shared their personal archives for the documentary.

Speaking on the upcoming release, he said:

“Our life has been a struggle. We can never express how grateful we are to everyone who has been a part of it, for the kindness and generosity they have given us, the opportunity they have given us in bringing our story to the screen, and the care they have taken. Our journey has been by God’s grace and promise to move forward together, and we feel incredibly blessed to be able to share our story in this way. We hope audiences will leave a testament to We all face the difficult battles of life with faith, hope, love and the strength to never give up.

Will you be watching The Witness and its companion documentary when it arrives on Netflix on June 4? Let us know in the comments below!