It often feels like we’re in a renaissance of true crime stories, as every week sees a new streamer releasing a gripping limited series about a grisly situation. Whether the series focuses on murders, kidnappings, disappearances, or any number of other traumatic events, these shows are quickly replaced by the next true-crime obsession a few days later.
One program that has stood the test of time, though, is Unsolved Mysteries. The original Robert Stack-hosted series remains a staple of ’80s and ’90s TV, thanks in large part to the gravitas Stack brought to the investigations. The core conceit of the TV show was also its most frustrating for modern audiences: these mysteries are unsolved, so they deny us a satisfying ending. In an age where it feels any mystery could be solved with the internet, the original TV didn’t have that access.
Netflix revived the program in 2020, which ran for five seasons. As confirmed by Deadline, Unsolved Mysteries is being revived as a video podcast hosted by Jordan Murphy. It will launch on YouTube on October 29 with new episodes released weekly on Thursdays.
The outlet claims the new episodes will explore the disappearance of Amelia Earhart, the vanishing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, and the still-unsolved heist at Boston’s Stewart Gardner Museum. Additionally, the video podcast will provide updates to previously covered cases.
“We’re thrilled to be expanding the Unsolved Mysteries brand in this pivot to the video podcast world,” Terry Meurer, Unsolved Mysteries co-creator and President and CEO of Unsolved Media, shared in a statement. “There are still so many mysteries that need to be solved and we know we can reach a wide audience on YouTube and through Audacy’s distribution. And we hope our audience can help solve these mysteries, as they have for decades.”
“Unsolved Mysteries has an incredibly passionate audience and a legacy that continues to resonate across generations, and we’re excited to bring the podcast into a new era with video,” Leah Reis-Dennis, Head of Podcasts, Audacy, added. “With Jordan Murphy at the helm and all-new cases to explore, this next chapter brings a fresh dimension to a beloved franchise and offers advertisers new opportunities to engage with a devoted fanbase across both audio and video.”
After Stack’s passing in 2003, the series was revived in 2008 with host Dennis Farina. When Netflix put their own spin on the concept, they opted not to have a host and instead used on-screen title cards to tie sequences together. Additionally, while the original program often highlighted supernatural occurrences, the Netflix revival mainly focused on more grounded cases.
The new Unsolved Mysteries premieres on YouTube on October 29.
Will you be checking out the new series? Let us know in the comments below!