New Delhi: The documentary series Hollywood Con Queen, which delves into the terrible tale of one of the largest frauds in Hollywood history, is set to premiere on Apple TV+. Library Films and Emmy winner Chris Smith are the creators of Hollywood Con Queen.
Scott Johnson, an investigative writer for The Hollywood Reporter, and Nicole Kotsianas, a committed private investigator, get interested in the Con Queens’ operation. They set out to uncover the truth, but what they find is a narrative stranger than they had anticipated.
Hollywood Con Queen, a new documentary series from Apple, explores the infamous fraud that affected several famous Hollywood individuals.
FIRST LOOK | The chase is on in new HOLLYWOOD CON QUEEN docu-series
Read More -> https://t.co/8WJ9g297WF#AppleTV #Documentary pic.twitter.com/h4oJxTTWvj
— Kevin Perry (@kevinperry) April 29, 2024
The Story
The series delves into the complex scam hatched by a global con artist who pretended to be one of the biggest names in the entertainment industry. The con artist pretended to be a high-ranking executive and approached the production crew, offering them the chance to work on an imaginary Indonesian project.
As part of their investigation into the hoax, the FBI and the Department of Justice arrested a man in Manchester, UK, in 2020. The arrest revealed how widespread the deceit was and how it affected its victims, who included notable people such as Stacey Snider, Wendi Deng Murdoch, Amy Pascal, Sherry Lansing, and Kathleen Kennedy.
Scott Johnson’s writings, including Hollywood Con Queen: The Hunt for an Evil Genius, serve as inspiration for the show. A worldwide search for the con artist ensued after Johnson’s investigation exposed the complex web of lies weaved by the con artist.
When and Where to Watch?
Launching on Apple TV+ throughout the world on May 8, 2024, the documentary series will consist of three parts.
The Con Queen’s modus operandi? Psychological torture.
Hollywood Con Queen premieres May 8. pic.twitter.com/1Le3PMYEw3
— Apple TV (@AppleTV) May 5, 2024
More
Screenwriter and victim Gregory Mandarano recognized the Hollywood Con Queen as Gobind Lal Tahil after obtaining a copy of his false passport from a travel agency after six months of deception. He is the only victim known to have encountered the Con Queen many times.
K2 Intelligence was engaged by impersonated producers to investigate the swindle, but at first, the identity of the Hollywood con queen remained a mystery.
The 2019 short documentary A Colourful Red by Jack Owen and Costa Karalis chronicled the events and was nominated for a Student BAFTA after premiering at the Cannes American Pavilion’s Emerging Filmmakers Showcase.
Josh Dean and Vanessa Grigoriadis of Campside Media and Sony Music presented the 2020 podcast Chameleon: Hollywood Con Queen, which delves into the fraud.
A great deal of additional media has covered the Con Queen hoax and its aftermath.
