Marie Claire Marie Claire
  • Celebrity
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Culture
  • Power
  • Nice Talk
  • Fashion Month
  • More
    • Politics
    • Career & Money
    • Health & Fitness
    • Power Play
    • Travel
    • Promo Codes
    • Food & Cocktails
    • About Us
    • Subscribe
    • Sex & Love
  • Newsletter SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER
  • Marie Claire
    Marie Claire Newsletter

    Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!


    By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

    You are now subscribed

    Your newsletter sign-up was successful


    Want to add more newsletters?

    Marie Claire Daily

    Delivered daily

    Marie Claire Daily

    Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.

    Marie Claire Self Checkout

    Sent weekly on Saturday

    Marie Claire Self Checkout

    Exclusive access to expert shopping and styling advice from Nikki Ogunnaike, Marie Claire's editor-in-chief.

    Maire Claire Face Forward

    Once a week

    Maire Claire Face Forward

    Insider tips and recommendations for skin, hair, makeup, nails and more from Hannah Baxter, Marie Claire's beauty director.

    Livingetc

    Once a week

    Livingetc

    Your shortcut to the now and the next in contemporary home decoration, from designing a fashion-forward kitchen to decoding color schemes, and the latest interiors trends.

    Homes & Gardens

    Delivered Daily

    Homes & Gardens

    The ultimate interior design resource from the world's leading experts - discover inspiring decorating ideas, color scheming know-how, garden inspiration and shopping expertise.


    An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
    Trending
    • Colored Sneakers
    • DIY Facials
    • Anti-Blush
    • Sasha Compère
    • Micro-Trends
    1. Culture
    2. TV shows

    Dirty John: Everything You Need to Know About the New Bravo Show

    Creepiest. Love story. Ever.

    Amanda Mitchell's avatar
    By Amanda Mitchell
    Published 25 October 2018 In News

    When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

    Photograph, Beauty, Fashion, Dress, Flash photography, Fun, Photography, Smile, Event, Long hair,
    (Image credit: Getty Images)
    • Facebook
    • X
    • Pinterest
    Share this article
    Join the conversation
    Follow us
    Add us as a preferred source on Google
    Subscribe to our newsletter

    Heads up, true crime fanatics: There's another TV show that demands your attention coming in November. Based on the hit podcast from Wondery and the Los Angeles Times, Dirty John—the story of a deceitful man and the woman who fell for him—is one of the most anticipated series of the fall.

    The real-life story of "Dirty John" begins with Debra Newell, a successful interior designer who was looking for love on the internet—and found it in a handsome, self-proclaimed doctor named John Meehan. She fell into a whirlwind romance with him and they even got married, but all the while, her kids were suspicious of Meehan, noticing that parts of his story didn't add up. What started as love, eventually spiraled into a tale of lies, terror, and...well, to tell you anything more would give away the best plot twist ever. As the trailer says: "The scariest part is it really happened."

    We've compiled everything you need to know about the upcoming series in anticipation of its premiere.

    Latest Videos FromMarie Claire
    Watch full video here:

    Here's the backstory:

    Dirty John originated as a critically-acclaimed true crime podcast and an accompanying article in the Los Angeles Times, narrated (on the podcast) and written (in the Times) by journalist Christopher Goffard. Goffard originally came across the story after learning that the police in Newport Beach, California, were investigating a possible murder, and discovered a trail of abuse and deceitful behavior committed by Meehan. The podcast also does a great job of covering the sometimes hard-to-spot tactics of abusers and manipulators, as well as the behaviors of those being abused. You can listen to the first episode here:

    But you don't have to listen to the podcast to get the show.

    In fact, the show might even have more information than the podcast, according to lead actor Eric Bana. "Our challenge is to satisfy people who know everything and nothing about this case," Bana tells TV Insider,"We’ll explore some new elements and pieces of information that weren’t in the podcast."

    You may like
    • Alex Henderson, Ashley Carpenter in episode 1003 of Love Is Blind. Let's Go, Pod Squad: 'Love Is Blind' Will Return for Season 11 This Fall
    • mackenzie Shirilla and Dominic russo posing together as she holds flowers next to her car in a still featured in the documentary the crash Every True Crime Buff Needs to Watch These 2026 Documentaries and Docuseries
    • lili reinhart as olive and tom bateman as adam kissing in a hall in the movie the love hypothesis Everything We Know About 'The Love Hypothesis' Movie—Including Why #BookTok Fans Are Obsessed With the Cast

    According to executive producer Alexandra Cunningham, the show will differ from the podcast."We’re going deeper on the things maybe the podcast just touched on."

    Blond, Couch, Sitting, Leg, Room, Furniture, Living room, Comfort, Interior design, Mouth,

    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    It premieres soon.

    The first episode of Dirty John premieres on Bravo on Sunday, November 25, at 10 p.m. It will consist of eight one-hour episodes.

    Marie Claire Newsletter

    Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!

    By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

    The cast is pretty epic.

    Queen of Hair Kingdom, Connie Britton will star as Newell, and Meehan will be portrayed by Eric Bana, in his first U.S. television role. Both also serve as executive producers of the series. Julia Garner and Juno Temple will play Terra and Veronica Newell, Debra's daughters (in real life, Newell has four children). Emmy-award winner Jean Smart plays Arlene Hart, Debra's mother, and Keiko Agena (Gilmore Girls) will star as Newell's coworker Nancy.

    There are two trailers.

    The first peek at the series came in the form of Bana practicing a creepy "I love you" speech.

    - YouTube  - YouTube
    Watch On

    The next is the official trailer:

    What to read next
    • jesse soloman and ciara miller in swim suits standing by a pool at a party in summer house Everything We Know About the 'Summer House' Season 11—Including the Cast Shakeups
    • taylor frankie paul smiles and holds a rose while wearing a red dress in a promo shot for her bachelorette season Taylor Frankie Paul's 'Bachelorette' Season Was Spoiled—But She Would Do a "Round Two"
    • Aniya Harvey, Melanie Moreno, Trinity Tatum and Kayda Bosse at Peacock's "Love Island USA" Season 8 Reunion held at Universal Studios Hollywood on August 09, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. 'Love Island USA' Season 8 Isn't Over Yet! Here's What We Know About the Reunion

    It's a love story, at least in part.

    The producers want to charm you like John charmed Debra. In fact, you'll totally find out why Newell got drawn in to Meehan's charm. "On the surface, John appeared normal. He was very practiced at manipulation," said Bana to TV Insider. "It’s completely believable that an intelligent woman could fall for him."

    Cunningham also added, "The podcast is a fantastic work of investigative journalism. What we’re trying to do is cast the spell that John cast over Debra. We're trying to sweep the audience off their feet the way John swept Debra off her feet."

    There's going to be a companion series.

    A docuseries will air on Oxygen as a companion for the Bravo series, told through the perspectives of the people whose lives were upended by Meehan and the hit series about him.

    There will be multiple perspectives and time-jumps.

    While the podcast primarily focuses on journalist Goffard's perspective, the show offers perspectives from everyone involved. “It’s all about, ‘Who is John?'” executive producer Jeffrey Reiner said. “We go back in time [and include] things that were not necessarily in the podcast.”

    Fun, Event, Family pictures, Sitting, Furniture, Flash photography,

    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    Sounds good! But will there be a Dirty John Season 2?

    When the series was first announced, Bravo greenlit a two-season straight-to-series-order from the show, effectively making it an anthology series. Season 1 will focus on Dirty John, while season 2 will have a different, self-contained story.

    We'll update as we find out more!

    RELATED STORY

    Face, Head, Nose, Lip, Mouth, Eye, Hairstyle, Skin, Chin, Forehead,

    (Image credit: PBS/Hulu/CW)

    These Are the Best New Shows on TV

    Amanda Mitchell
    Amanda Mitchell
    Social Links Navigation

    Amanda Mitchell is a writer and podcaster with bylines at Marie Claire, OprahMag, Allure, Byrdie, Stylecaster, Bon Appetit, and more. Her work exists at the apex of beauty, pop culture, and absurdity. A human Funfetti cake, she watches too much television, and her favorite season is awards season. You can read more of her work at amandaelizabethmitchell.com or follow her on Instagram and Twitter @lochnessmanda.

    Read more
    lili reinhart as olive and tom bateman as adam kissing in a hall in the movie the love hypothesis
    Movies Everything We Know About 'The Love Hypothesis' Movie—Including Why #BookTok Fans Are Obsessed With the Cast Prepare to fall in love with this Ali Hazelwood romance if you haven't already.
    By Quinci LeGardye
    taylor frankie paul smiles and holds a rose while wearing a red dress in a promo shot for her bachelorette season
    TV shows Taylor Frankie Paul's 'Bachelorette' Season Was Spoiled—But She Would Do a "Round Two" Here's everything to know about the #MomTok star's shelved season, including whether it will ever air.
    By Megan Wahn
     
     
    Aniya Harvey, Melanie Moreno, Trinity Tatum and Kayda Bosse at Peacock's "Love Island USA" Season 8 Reunion held at Universal Studios Hollywood on August 09, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
    TV shows 'Love Island USA' Season 8 Isn't Over Yet! Here's What We Know About the Reunion Get ready to rehash this summer's drama—and to see who's still together outside the villa.
    By Quinci LeGardye
    A man and a woman (Adam Brody as Noah and Kristen Bell as Joanne) smile while standing in a kitchen in front of a bouquet of yellow flowers, in 'Nobody Wants This' season 3.
    TV shows 'Nobody Wants This' Returns Next Month—See the First Look at a "Recommitted" Joanne and Noah Here's what we know about the next installment of the hit Netflix rom-com.
    By Radhika Menon
     
     
    Latest in TV shows
    Host Alan Cumming wears armor and a cape while standing amid cloaked figures with gold masks in a cloud of blue smoke, in NBC's 'The Traitors: New Blood.'
    TV shows Your Guide to the Normies in 'The Traitors: New Blood' Cast—Including How to Follow Them
    vicky krieps as bridget sullivan wearing a maid's uniofrm standing in a parlor of a victorian era home in a still from monster the lizzie borden story
    TV shows The True Story Behind Bridget Sullivan, Lizzie Borden's Maid and Lover in 'Monster'
     
     
    A group of athletes pose for the promotional image for Netflix's 'Physical 100: Mexico.'
    TV shows Meet the Stars of 'Physical 100: Mexico,' From Famed Luchadores to Former Olympians
    ella beatty smiles posing on a red carpet wearing a black long gown at the premiere of monster the lizzie borden story
    TV shows Meet Ella Beatty, the 'Monster' Star Who Comes From a Family of Hollywood Royalty
     
     
    Latest in News
    collage of Nikki Ogunnaike's outfits at New York Fashion Week for Self Checkout
    Fall fashion 4 New York Fashion Week Outfits Worth Re-Creating This Fall
    Prince William and Princess Kate walking next to each other and smiling in fall outfits
    Royals Prince William and Princess Kate's Secret Weekend Getaway Revealed
     
     
    Earl Spencer shaking hands with Prince Harry and Prince William
    Royals Earl Spencer Reveals Whose Side He's On in Harry and William's Feud
    Donatella Versace is creating a new fashion and beauty brand with Revolve
    Fashion Donatella Versace and Revolve Are Launching a New Fashion and Beauty Brand
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Marie Claire
    RSS
    • About us
    • Contact Future's experts
    • Contact us
    • Advertise Online
    • Newsletter
    • Terms and conditions
    • Privacy policy
    • Cookies policy
    • Careers
    Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google

    Marie Claire is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

    © Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.