Docuseries on the Rise: What Comes After True Crime?

in partnership with Doxumentale

Documentary series have gone mainstream. Once associated primarily with niche audiences and public broadcasters, they have become an important part of the streaming landscape, reaching audiences around the world. What is driving this boom, and what does it mean for the people making them? Global audience trends and investment strategies increasingly shape which stories get told and how production companies approach documentary series. At the same time, creators have to balance commercial viability with artistic ambition, narrative integrity and the responsibility that comes with telling real-life stories.In an increasingly crowded market, finding a distinctive voice is just as crucial. True crime has become a cornerstone of streaming documentaries – but what comes next? New genres, formats and storytelling approaches are emerging, creating space for documentary series that are more experimental, stylized and able to connect with younger audiences.