'The Genetic Detective': Release date, plot, cast, trailer and all you need to know about the ABC series

The series will follow Moore, the Chief Genetic Genealogist at Parabon NanoLabs in Virginia along with her team that has helped solve multiple cold cases
CeCe Moore (ABC)
CeCe Moore (ABC)

Here's some true-crime with intense science. Genetic genealogist CeCe Moore takes us into her world of how she has solved numerous cold cases from her own home. Her work has marked a revolutionary success in bringing justice and has changed the way cold cases have been solved over the years.

"I had a growing passion for genetic genealogy and I recognized its power very early on. Yet at the time, in 2010, there was no such thing as a professional genetic genealogist so I had to blaze my own trail in order to make this my full-time career," said Moore. In ABC's new series, titled 'The Genetic Detective,' Moore shows us just how she does it. Here is all we know about the upcoming series.

Release date

The new ABC primetime series 'The Genetic Detective' will premiere on May 19.

Plot

The series will follow Moore, the Chief Genetic Genealogist at Parabon NanoLabs in Virginia, along with her team that has helped solve multiple cases using technology, genealogy and DNA found at the crime scene. With the help of her team, Moore is able to find out the identity of the suspect using DNA that has been given to the public genealogy database by relatives.

The series premiere will take us into a 1987 cold case that involved the murders of Jay Cook and Tanya Van Cuylenborg, a Canadian couple in Seattle. The other cases that will be discussed will be the murder of eight-year-old April Tinsley in Fort Wayne, Indiana, mother and daughter Sherri and Megan Scherer in New Madrid, Missouri, the murder of Angie Dodge in Idaho Falls, Idaho, the case of the Ramsey Street Rapist in Fayetteville, NC, and the rape of 79-year-old Carla Brooks in St George, Utah.

Moore had explained to People how she realized her passion for genetic genealogy could help. "I knew the potential these techniques had for solving mysteries — really, for any type of human identification. Whether it is an adoptee looking to find their birth parents or helping law enforcement track down a potential suspect, this process provides answers in a new way and helps a family move beyond something that’s painful or has been burdening them," she said.

Cast

CeCe Moore

ABC revealed details about the upcoming series on Moore and her accomplishments over the years, "For the past decade Moore, a self-trained genetic genealogist, has pioneered genetic genealogy techniques utilizing a growing body of genetic data in conjunction with traditional genealogical records to help adoptees find their birth parents and to solve family mysteries. Since 2018, Moore has used her unique research skills to transform the face of crime-solving, helping to identify more than 100 violent criminal suspects.”

Creators

The series is a co-production with ABC News and XCON Productions. According to ABC News Public Relations, "Carrie Cook and Marc Dorian serve as co-executive producers for ABC News. Christine Connor is an executive producer and Christopher K Dillon is a co-executive producer for XCON Productions. CeCe Moore is a producer."

Trailer



 

Where to watch

 'The Genetic Detective' will air on Tuesdays from 10 to 11 pm ET on ABC with the first episode airing on May 19, 2020.

If you like this, you'll love these

'Making a Murderer'

'For Life'

'Ted Bundy: Falling for a Killer'

'The Barking Murders'

'Inventing Anna'

GET THE BIGGEST ENTERTAINMENT STORIES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

The three-part docuseries explores the fascinating story of doomsday cult Eternal Values and its leader, Frederick von Mierers
9 hours ago
Throughout the previous episodes, Carter skipped school and looked upon Dwight as some sort of a mentor
10 hours ago
Fan-favorite Netflix show is set to premiere its upcoming season next week on June 11.
11 hours ago
'NCIS' Season 23 finale ended on a cliffhanger after Wilmer Valderrama's Nick Torres confronted Mateo [Patrick Keleher]
12 hours ago
Here's everything we know about Sadie Sink's new FX series 'The Marriage Plot'
13 hours ago
The next season of the crime drama series will see Jon Hamm's Coop deal with the aftermath of Owen Ashe's death
13 hours ago
Katie Robbins and Ellen Pompeo previously collaborated on Hulu's limited series 'Good American Family,' which premiered in 2025
16 hours ago
Created and executive produced by Taylor Sheridan, the drama focuses on a family trying to rebuild their lives after a devastating loss
18 hours ago
Peter McFerrin returned for his next game and went head-to-head with Susan Moskop and Webster Guan
19 hours ago
The June 4 episode of ‘General Hospital’ featured a major departure following a last-minute deal for freedom
20 hours ago