A new Netflix documentary dropping this week looks set to be our next big true crime fix, with it detailing the mysterious story of Sharon Marshall – all beginning with a picture. Watch the trailer here:
Directed by award-winning Skye Borgman - who brought us Abducted in Plain Sight - Girl in the Picture dives into the bizarre and harrowing story of Sharon Marshall, whose true identity remained a mystery until 2014.
A synopsis from Netflix says: “The jaw-dropping true crime story of a search to solve a 30-year old mystery: who was Sharon Marshall, and why was her real identity unknown to everyone - even her?”
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Investigative journalist Matt Birkbeck, who first wrote about the saga in his bestselling novels A Beautiful Child and Finding Sharon, also serves as the film’s executive producer.
On Tudum, Netflix's official fan site, the streaming giant said: "It began with a picture - one that, when examined closer, opened up a twisted and heartbreaking 30-year mystery.
"The upcoming true-crime documentary Girl in the Picture dives into the story of Sharon Marshall, as she goes from being an ambitious teenager with a scholarship to Georgia Tech to a woman with a 2-year-old son, forced by her abusive husband to work as a stripper. Her eventual tragic murder leads to an investigation of her true identity and the federal fugitive who happened to be at the centre of it all."
Of course, the tale involves some huge twists, so if you're not aware of the details you might be best off avoiding the Wikipedia entry until after you've watched the doc.
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In the meantime, however, fans are already excited to tune in to the documentary - with one tweeting: “This looks very interesting. Looking forward to it. 6th July on #Netflix.”
Someone else said: “CANNOT WAIT.”
Over on YouTube, where Netflix shared a trailer for the film, others who were already familiar with the case were thrilled that Marshall’s story was getting the air time it deserved.
One person wrote: “Omg I’m so happy her story is getting told on here. Her story broke my heart she and her baby boy deserved so much better.”
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Another said: “When I first heard about this a few years ago I was not expecting the twist. I mean I was shocked. Its definitely one of those things that stays with you.”
A third added: “Netflix really coming out with these amazing documentaries back to back.”
As a companion to the documentary, Netflix will also be publishing a special five-part podcast, featuring ‘complementary information and interviews not seen in the film’.
Episodes one and two are already to download from the You Can’t Make This Up feed on June 29, with subsequent episodes published weekly.
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Heads up: if you don't want any spoilers, Netflix suggests watching the whole film before tuning in to the third episode.
You can stream Girl in the Picture on Netflix from Wednesday 6 July.
Topics: TV and Film, Netflix, True Crime
Jess Hardiman