'Dirty John: The Betty Broderick Story' Episode 1 Preview: An exploration of America's most infamous divorce
"I'm amazed it took only one bullet to kill Dan Broderick."
The vengeful tale of Betty Broderick is not unknown to many. A scorned woman who wanted to avenge herself goes to the lengths of murdering two people. But the second installment of USA Network's 'Dirty John' anthology series explores Betty's story and her perspective deeper. Why did this happen? Why did such a violent, brutal crime take place? What really was behind the scenes of perhaps the ugliest of divorces that America has seen?
Amanda Peet's Betty Broderick was the perfect Southern California blonde wife and mother. Calm, collected, on top of her children's needs and taking complete care of the household without any help. She had married her handsome college boyfriend Dan Broderick (Christian Slater) at the young of 22. And they were so much in love. Together, they began building a life that they always dreamt of — now their dreams could be a reality with each other.
Dan was highly ambitious and Betty was adamant that he reach his goals — whatever the price. So she sacrifices and suffers for years to ensure that Dan has whatever it is that he needs to fulfil his dreams. In her own ways, Betty is quite the stunner. Whenever she meets someone new, she immediately charms them. Today, after years of sacrifice and suffering while supporting Dan through both medical and law school, the couple has everything — a beautiful house, four beautiful children and the promise of togetherness they had made decades ago. Betty must now enjoy the fruits of her labors. Betty and Dan worked together to build a life of love, warmth, companionship and family. But this life is under threat from their own selves — or more precisely, Dan's desire.
Created by Alexandra Cunningham, 'Dirty John: The Betty Broderick Story' is a thrilling exploration not into the divorce of Betty and Dan Broderick but their marriage — what was it that led Dan to this breach of trust? Was he simply a narcissistic? What was it that Betty had done wrong? Could she have done anything differently? All these questions are delved into and answers are left for the audience to draw up: how guilty was Betty really?
'Dirty John: The Betty Broderick Story' premieres on June 2, 2020, on the USA Network. It will be followed by a second episode.