Stan has released the trailer for a new true-crime drama series, The Girl from Plainville, starring Elle Fanning.
The new show is based on an Esquire article of the same name by journalist Jesse Barron and details the true story of a young woman who was convicted of the involuntary manslaughter of her boyfriend.
Conrad (CoCo) Roy III was a student from Massachusetts, US, who died by suicide at the age of 18. His girlfriend, 17-year-old Michelle Carter, encouraged him through text messages to kill himself.
In June 2014, Carter began conspiring with Roy, giving him suggestions as to how to end his own life over texts. Two months later, Carter Roy III was found dead because of carbon monoxide poisoning.
The case became well-known worldwide, as it was unclear what charges Carter could have against her. There was a lengthy trial, which brought up questions surrounding mental health and definitions of crime.
There have been multiple adaptations of the story, such as a telefilm by Lifeline entitled Conrad and Michelle: If words could kill, a Dateline NBC episode called Reckless, and an HBO two-part docuseries, I Love You, Now Die: The Commonwealth vs. Michelle Carter.
Carter was later convicted and sentenced to 2 ½ years in prison for involuntary manslaughter.
The series aims to examine the impact that technology, social media, and how pop culture has on people’s mental health, and the truly damaging effects it can have.
Fanning is best known for her work as a child actress in films such as Maleficent and We Bought A Zoo, as well as the another Stan exclusive series The Great.
She stars in the series alongside Dear Evan Hansen star Colton Ryan (Conrad Roy III) and Big Love actress Chloe Sevigny (Lyn Roy).
The series is written and executive produced by co-showrunners Liz Hannah (The Dropout, Mindhunter) and Patrick Macmanus(Dr. Death) and directed by a team lead by Emmy-winning screenwriter and director Lisa Cholodenko.
The Girl From Plainville will premiere on March 30, the same day as the US, only on Stan in Australia.
