Publications
Partners
- A Friend of the Family is a chilling series inspired by the true story of the Broberg family.
- Bob and Mary Ann Broberg's daughter was brainwashed and kidnapped multiple times over a few years by a charismatic, obsessed family "friend".
- The series, written by Nick Antosca, has a 92% average on Rotten Tomatoes and airs on M-Net (DStv 101) from Monday, 10 April at 20:00.
The new limited true crime series A Friend of the Family will air on M-Net (DStv 101) from Monday, 10 April at 20:00.
The chilling series is inspired by the true story of the Broberg family.
Bob and Mary Ann Broberg's daughter Jan was brainwashed and kidnapped multiple times over a few years by a charismatic, obsessed family "friend" nearly 50 years ago.
Almost impossible to believe, the harrowing story could have happened anywhere to anyone, which is why Jan Broberg, who serves as a producer alongside her mother, wanted to share it on screen.
"We know if people start talking about things that actually matter like this, it will make a difference," she told Variety.
The nine-episode miniseries features Anna Paquin (Flack), Jake Lacy (The White Lotus), Colin Hanks (The Offer), Lio Tipton (The Edge of Sleep), Mckenna Grace (Ghostbusters: Afterlife), and Hendrix Yancey (George & Tammy).
Hanks and Paquin star as Bob and Mary Ann Broberg, a kind-hearted suburban family who became great friends with Robert and his wife, Gai (Tipton).
Over a few years, Robert manipulated the Brobergs to go against one another, exploiting their vulnerabilities as a family while driving a wedge between the parents and one of their daughters, Jan (Grace). During this time frame, Robert kidnapped Jan multiple times and sexually assaulted her in the process.
Why viewers need to watch this series:
- The series, written by Nick Antosca, has a 92% average on Rotten Tomatoes.
- Rave reviews include The Guardian hailing it as "the most jaw-droppingly incredible true-crime story there is".
- The series tells a much more expansive story about the Brobergs and how they allowed a paedophile into the family, giving viewers a different view, new information and a greater understanding of the family.
