Television

New FORENSIC FILES Episodes Are Coming in 2020!

by Lindsey Romain
Oct 1 2019 • 10:49 AM

Back in 1996, TLC aired a true crime series called Medical Detectives, a documentary-style show where scientists investigate a crime or mysterious death to figure out what really happened. The show grew in popularity and changed titles, shape, and networks over the years: it’s also been known as Mystery Detectives and Murder Detectives, and has aired on Court TV, truTV, and NBC. Today, we know the show as Forensic Files, a methodical, almost peacefully by-the-numbers true crime series. The last episodes of the series aired back in 2011 and have lived on as repeats. But, according to Variety, that’s about to change: Forensic Files is coming back in 2020 for brand-new episodes on the network HLN.

Forensic Files is so popular that HLN, a sister outlet of CNN, typically airs anywhere from 65 to 70 hours of reruns every week. That definitely sets the stage nicely for a revival, and that’s exactly what HLN used as ammo for their new series. After several attempts to get a new series launch, HLN (an AT&T-owned network) has announced plans to debut 16 new episodes of Forensic Files starting in February 2020.

“They stopped making it in 2011, and we have been speaking with the original producers and the original rights holders for some time,” Ken Jautz, the CNN executive vice president who oversees HLN, told Variety. “We are very pleased that the rights holder recognized what huge fans we are of the series and has entrusted us to continue with it.”

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The move to relaunch Forensic Files is part of a larger plan for HLN to brand itself as a true crime network. The channel has gone through several changes through the years, but, according to Variety, this is an intentional way of developing a niche audience. It seems like a smart move, too; true crime has never been more popular, thanks to podcasts like My Favorite Murder and Netflix and HBO specials like Wild Wild Country and Mommy Dead and Dearest. There’s clearly a giant cultural appetite for true crime stories, and bringing Forensic Files back into the fray is definitely a wise move.

This new version of Forensic Files will certainly look–and sound–different than the episodes we’re familiar with, however. A lot of that is due to the death of Peter Thomas in 2016. He was the voice that narrated the most popular seasons of the show, and his famously creepy intonation is a big part of the show’s nostalgia. His are big shoes to fill, which begs the question: who will replace him? For now, Jautz and HLN are staying mum about who will take over, although we trust that they understand what a task they have ahead of them.

We’re really excited about the news for more Forensic Files. It’s the perfect “turn your brain off” true crime show and it’ll be thrilling to have it back after almost a decade away. We just hope HLN is able to recapture the macabre magic of the original. We’ll be watching either way.

Feature Image: Medstar Television