Michael Angeli to showrun Strong Studios’ true crime drama Hall Mills Murders

US prodco Strong Studios is developing a true crime drama series about murders that took place over 100 years ago, with writer Michael Angeli (Battlestar Galactica) set to serve as showrunner.

David Ozer

The 8×60′ series is inspired by a real-life double homicide case that became one of the first murder cases in the US to receive mass media coverage.

In September 1922, the bodies of the town’s married priest, Edward Wheeler Hall, and his mistress, Eleanor Mills, were found in the New Jersey countryside. They had been brutally murdered, with love letters torn up and scattered around them.

“This sordid story and murder case is recognised today as the first of its kind in America to saturate news coverage on a daily basis,” said David Ozer, CEO of Strong Studios. “We have no doubt it will generate interest among broadcasters and streamers.”

Michael Angeli said: “There are so many sensational aspects to this story, from the scandalous affair to the tabloid coverage and the host of colourful characters under investigation – all the elements needed to deliver a truly captivating series.”

Executive producers on the project are Angeli, Ozer, Scott Weinstock and Toni Ann Marcolini.

New York-based Strong Studios was launched last year and has produced scripted content such as supernatural thriller Safehaven and dramedy Flagrant, both for Screen Media’s streaming services Crackle, Popcornflix and Chicken Soup for the Soul.