True Crime Hit ‘The Girlfriends’ Expands With New Anthology Series And Season Three Plans.

In season one, The Girlfriends told the story of how a group of women came together to bring down one bad ex-boyfriend and seek justice for a murder. In season two, it searched for truth about a torso washed up on Staten Island and gave the victim the memorial she deserved. Now, show creators Novel Audio and iHeartPodcasts are bringing a new charter to the franchise with the launch of The Girlfriends: Spotlight. The series explores untold accounts of women caught in the web of crime, survival and justice.

The new anthology series will highlight complex true stories that bring attention to issues surrounding domestic violence, survivor empowerment and the pursuit of justice. Episodes will recount empowering stories from notable figures including Tracy Otto, a domestic violence victim who went on to compete in the 2024 Paralympics and Lu Ann Cooper, who survived a notorious polygamist cult in Utah.

“We’re excited to expand The Girlfriends franchise to include new seasons and provide a platform for important stories to be told,” says Will Pearson, President of iHeartPodcasts. “With Spotlight, we’re taking this story even further by giving voice to new perspectives that are both inspirational and thought-provoking.”

The Girlfriends: Spotlight is hosted by journalist Anna Sinfield, who also picks up hosting duties from Carol Fisher, who shares her personal story with listeners in the first season, with her ex-boyfriend turning out to be the killer. Now as the show moves forward, Sinfield will bring a broader perspective to the series.

“We’re delighted to introduce our new host Anna Sinfield, who has been at the heart of the production team since launch, meeting remarkable women, winning in the face of adversity,” Novel Audio CEO Craig Strachan says. “The Girlfriends has become so much more than a podcast. It has become a movement.”

The eight-episode season of Spotlight will debut Monday, April 7 with new episodes available on Mondays. Meanwhile, the next narrative season of The Girlfriends is taking shape. Also hosted by Sinfield, season three will follow the story of Kelly Harnett, a domestic abuse survivor who was convicted for murder — which she says she didn’t commit. The new season is set to debut later this year and will be followed by further Spotlight episodes and future narrative seasons.

“The stories of our extraordinary girlfriends, through their incredible bravery and resolute determination in the pursuit of justice, have empowered listeners across the world,” Strachan says. “The brand-new spotlight series, followed by a new narrative season, will build on the reach and impact of The Girlfriends, enabling audiences to discover a whole new world of gripping, emotive and inspiring stories.”

The popularity of The Girlfriends caught the attention of A24 Studios, which last year optioned the podcast for a television adaptation. A24 won what is said to have been a robust bidding process that attracted the attention of several studios. Few details have been released, although Michael Showalter, the director behind Spoiler Alert, The Dropout, The Eyes of Tammy Faye, is reportedly attached. Also, Jordana Mollick will serve as executive producer with Conal Byrne, Will Pearson and Carrie Lieberman of iHeartPodcasts and Julia Bromberg and Neil Krishnan from Novel.