'The Curious Life and Death of…': Release date, plot, host, trailer and all you need to know about the Smithsonian docuseries

The Smithsonian Channel series will dive into the mysterious cases of Brittany Murphy, Brian Jones, Lizzie Borden and many more personalities
PUBLISHED SEP 4, 2020
(Smithsonian Channel)
(Smithsonian Channel)

True crime shows or podcasts are all the rage these days for one very simple reason — they answer key questions behind some of the most enigmatic, horrifying cases of murder and mystery in human history. Netflix may take the lead in providing viewers with timely series but other networks and platforms are joining in with their own offers. The latest to join is the Smithsonian Channel with its upcoming 'The Curious Life and Death of...', which examines some of the most mysterious deaths in history.

While there are many famous personalities from the past who have piqued our interests, the Smithsonian Channel series will dive into personalities such as 'Clueless' actor Brittany Murphy, Rolling Stones founder Brian Jones and ax-murderess Lizzie Borden who was convicted for the murders of her father and step-mother. Leading these investigations is medical historian Dr Lindsey Fitzharris, who will provide a curious and macabre look into the histories of these individuals. Other personalities included in future episodes are Harry Houdini who died mysteriously, the drug lord Pablo Escobar and the body of a child recovered from the icy Atlantic Ocean, dubbed "the Unknown Titanic Child". Read on to know more about the series.

Release date

'The Curious Life and Death of...' will premiere on the Smithsonian Channel on Sunday, September 6, at 9/8c.

Plot

The official synopsis for the program states: "Hosted by famed medical historian Dr. Lindsey Fitzharris, the six-part series combines history, forensic science, and true crime, to explore some of the most mysterious deaths in history – and the fascinating and often strange lives that preceded them. Whether it's '90s icon Brittany Murphy, Rolling Stones founder Brian Jones, or ax-murderess Lizzie Borden, the lives of these fascinating individuals are revealed through tests, investigation, and autopsies as the medical historian, Dr Lindsey Fitzharris provides a curious and sometimes macabre glimpse into the biographies from the morgue. Additional episodes reveal the team on a quest to identify a tiny body, “the Unknown Titanic Child,” rescued from the icy Atlantic, the mysterious death of Harry Houdini, and the infamous drug lord Pablo Escobar. Dr Lindsey Fitzharris and her team attempt to unpick curious details that have recently come to light. Along the way, she'll be joined by a revolving cast of experts, including Scotland Yard detectives, medical examiners, weapons gurus, and more."

Host

Lindsey Fitzharris

Dr Lindsey Fitzharris (Smithsonian Channel)

Lindsey Fitzharris is an author, medical historian and television host known for the popular blog 'The Chirurgeon's Apprentice'. She is the host of the YouTube video series 'Under the Knife', which takes a humorous look at medical history. Her book 'The Butchering Art: Joseph Lister's Quest to Transform the Grisly World of Victorian Medicine', a biography of surgical pioneer Joseph Lister, won the PEN/E. O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award.

Producers

The series is produced by Smithsonian Channel and Brook Lapping Productions.

Trailer



 

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