Netflix released the first teaser for its six-hour historical fiction, murder miniseries “Alias Grace” on Monday, based on the novel by “The Handmaid’s Tale” author Margaret Atwood.
The novel, published in 1996, blends fiction and reality. Atwood was inspired by the 1843 Upper Canadian murders of Thomas Kinnear and his housekeeper Nancy Montgomery (Anna Paquin). Grace Marks (Sarah Gadon) and James McDermott (Kerr Logan) were charged with the crime. McDermott was hanged while Marks was sentenced to life in prison.
The question remained though whether Marks was involved with the murder itself or was just an accessory. She was eventually (spoiler?) released after 30 years in prison.
In the novel, Atwood writes in a doctor named Simon Jordan, who becomes interested in both the case and Marks while researching criminal behavior. He saw that Marks was a mild-mannered woman — as evidenced in the teaser — so how could she have been guilty of a brutal murder?
“I think of all the things that have been written about me,” Marks narrates, explaining how she’s been called a “demon” and “cunning” but also an “innocent victim.” “How can I be all these different things at once?”
The miniseries is written and produced by Sarah Polley (“Take This Waltz”) and directed by Mary Harron (“American Psycho”). The series is a co-production with Halfire Entertainment, CBC and Netflix.
This is the second Atwood work to get an adaptation this year. The first, “The Handmaid’s Tale,” streamed over on Hulu and was just renewed for a second season.
“Alias Grace” will be broadcast in Canada on CBC and will stream on Netflix starting Friday, Nov. 3.
Watch the first teaser above.
17 Shows to Watch After 'The Handmaid's Tale,' From 'Lost' to 'Leftovers' (Photos)
Hulu's hit series "The Handmaid's Tale," which takes place in a dystopian future where women have virtually no rights, has its finale Wednesday. If you're desperately going to miss the series, have no fear. We've rounded up what you should watch while you wait for Season 2.
Various
"The Walking Dead" AMC's cult favorite just finished its seventh season. The show follows a slew of characters as they try to survive the zombie apocalypse.
AMC
"Fear The Walking Dead" Now in its third season, "Fear" is AMC's spinoff to "The Walking Dead." It acts as a prequel and takes place along the U.S.-Mexico border.
AMC
"Twin Peaks" While Showtime's "Twin Peaks" doesn't necessarily happen in a dystopian future, there's plenty of argument that parts occur in another dimension. If you like the weird and bizarre, you'll like "Twin Peaks."
Showtime
"Battlestar Galactica" After 1,000 years of war, the Battlestar Galactica carries the last few remaining humans to the elusive 13th colony.
ABC
"Lost" If you were intrigued by the more mysterious aspects of "Handmaid's," then you'll be all over ABC's science fiction hit following the survivors of a plane crash and the island they inhabit.
ABC
"Black Mirror" Alternatively, if you like the more "WTF?" moments of "Handmaid's," then "Black Mirror" is a solid choice. The BBC series is now on Netflix, and each episode tells stand alone stories imagining how part of our modern world could go terribly wrong.
BBC
"The Man in The High Castle" Amazon's series reimagines the world as if Hitler and the Nazis won WWII. The show was recently renewed for Season 3.
Amazon
"Mr. Robot" If you're paranoid about constantly being watched, then you'll resonate with Elliot (Rami Malek), a hacker living in NYC.
USA
"The Leftovers" "The Leftovers" is HBO's series about how the people left on Earth cope after 2 percent of the globe's population vanishes.
HBO
"Orphan Black" A con artist witnesses the death of her look-alike and assumes her life. If you like conspiracies, this is a show for you. This BBC America show is available on Netflix.
BBC America
"3%" This Brazilian dystopian thriller focuses on extreme class divisions in the future, similar to "Handmaid's." People are given a chance to go to the "better side" of their world, but only 3 percent succeed.
Netflix
"The 100" The CW series takes place 97 years after nuclear war destroys Earth, as 100 delinquent teens are sent back to the planet from the spaceship where the few survivors now live.
The CW
"Jericho" CBS' show imagines a small town in the aftermath of nuclear bomb in a nearby city. With information cut off, the townspeople must figure out how to survive.
CBS
"Firefly" Although only airing for one season, "Firefly" has become a cult favorite. It takes place 500 years in the future and follows a renegade space crew as they escape the authorities.
FOX
"Hunted" CBS' competition series has nine teams of two in a real-life manhunt. The show looks at surveillance and how we leave digital footprints wherever we go.
CBS
"Humans" AMC's "Humans" takes place in a parallel present day, where synthetic humans are the latest gadget.But the "synths," as they're called, might be just too realistic.
AMC
"The Expanse" Syfy's series takes place 200 years in the future. In the midst of a war between Earth and Mars, a plague breaks out and humans must come together to save the species.
Syfy
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If the Hulu finale leaves you wanting more dystopia and mystery, these are for you
Hulu's hit series "The Handmaid's Tale," which takes place in a dystopian future where women have virtually no rights, has its finale Wednesday. If you're desperately going to miss the series, have no fear. We've rounded up what you should watch while you wait for Season 2.