'Under the Bridge': Inside major true story changes and inaccuracies in Hulu's crime drama series
Contains spoilers for 'Under the Bridge'
VANCOUVER, CANADA: Hulu's 'Under the Bridge' has been generating buzz due to its intriguing storyline, which keeps viewers on the edge of their seats with its unexpected developments and gripping narrative.
Based on the book of the same name by Rebecca Godfrey, the series recounts the true story of a teen girl, Reena Virk, who tragically died because of bullying.
Starring Lily Gladstone, Vritika Gupta, Riley Keough, Izzy G, and Chloe Guidry in pivotal roles, the series offers an inside look at Reena's murder and the subsequent actions taken by the authorities in response to the crime.
'Under the Bridge' features a disclaimer stating that certain elements have been fictionalized or created for dramatic effect. By including this disclaimer, the creators of 'Under the Bridge' aim to maintain a balance between accurately portraying the true story of Reena (Vritika Gupta) while also crafting a compelling and engaging narrative for the viewers.
So, what’s fact and what’s fiction in Hulu's 'Under the Bridge'?
Is Cam Bentland a real person?
In the series, Lily Gladstone portrays Cam Bentland, a dedicated police officer invested in solving the case of Reena's murder.
She is frequently depicted as emotionally distraught and saddened during her investigation, showcasing the personal impact of the case on her.
While 'Under the Bridge' is inspired by a true story and features characters based on real individuals, some characters are fictional, including the character of police officer Cam.
Cam's character in 'Under the Bridge' is a composite of traits from several officers who played key roles in the investigation of Reena's tragic murder in Canada in 1997.
In an interview with the The New York Times, Lily said, “Cam represents a lot of conversations that are not in the book itself but that were worth including."
Is Dusty Pace based on a real person?
In 'Under the Bridge', Dusty Pace (Aiyana Goodfellow), along with Josephine Bell (Chloe Guidry) and Kelly Ellard (Izzy G), is part of the group that lives at the Seven Oaks foster house.
Despite being part of the popular girls' group, Dusty has a soft spot for Reena. Dusty's genuine remorse for Reena's death sets her apart from Kelly and Josephine, who seem unaffected by the tragedy.
'Under the Bridge' is adapted from Rebecca's book, which delves into the lives of the teenagers connected to Reena's death. Dusty, however, is not featured in the book; she is a composite character crafted for the series to enhance its dramatic impact.
Aiyana, the actress who brings Dusty's character to life, recently shared insights with The Wrap about her character and the complexities she faces in 'Under the Bridge'.
She said, "Dusty is an amalgamation of various characters. And although Under the Bridge is based on true events, it’s obviously not a retelling.”
Did Rebecca Godfrey have a brother named Gabe who died in real life?
Hulu debuted Episode 5 of 'Under the Bridge', titled 'When the Heat Comes Down', on May 8. The episode delved into the disturbing events affecting Rebecca (Riley Keough).
Rebecca discussed her brother Gabe's death in the first three episodes of 'Under the Bridge' with her father, Charles Godfrey (Paul Jarrett), and her childhood friend Cam.
Rebecca opened up to Warren Glowatski (Javon Walton), revealing the deep-seated guilt she carries regarding her brother's death. She expressed regret, feeling as though she could have intervened somehow to change the outcome.
In 'Under the Bridge' Episode 6, the series delves into the circumstances of Rebecca's brother Gabe's (Teagan Stark) tragic death, revealing that he drowned after falling from a local bluff. Rebecca's behavior towards Gabe before his death was portrayed as rude.
It's true that Rebecca had a brother who died due to drowning, but his name was Jonathan Godfrey, not Gabe.
Rebecca's 2022 obituary in The New York Times mentioned that her brother, Jonathan, died at the age of 16 in 1981 after falling from a local bluff and drowning.
Was Rebecca Godfrey a queer woman?
In 'Under the Bridge', the relationship between Rebecca and Cam takes a romantic turn, leading to a pivotal moment where they share a kiss.
However, there is no evidence to suggest that Rebecca was a queer woman. The kiss between Rebecca and Cam in 'Under the Bridge' is a fictional storyline and does not reflect Rebecca's personal life or sexual orientation.
The New York Times obituary mentioned that in real life, Rebecca was married to Herbert Wilson, and they had a daughter named Ada.
Is Josephine Bell a real person?
In 'Under the Bridge', Josephine Bell (Chloe Guidry) continuously bullies Reena, causing her harm both physically and emotionally.
In the series, Josephine's character is based on a real person involved in Reena's murder in 1997. She burned Reena's forehead with a lit cigarette, and a group of other teens also joined in the attack.
Josephine's character is based on Nicole Cook, one of the six females responsible for the brutal beatings inflicted on Reena, as per Distractify.
How to stream 'Under the Bridge?'
'Under the Bridge' Episodes 1-6 are currently available for streaming on Hulu.
To view the series, you must have a subscription to the streaming service, which is divided into ad-supported and ad-free versions.
The package that includes advertising is available for just $7.99 per month or $79.99 per year. Additionally, the package without advertisements is $17.99 per month.
'Under the Bridge' trailer