A new Netflix docuseries titled Michael Jackson: The Verdict is reigniting global debate over Michael Jackson’s controversial 2005 criminal trial, shortly after the hugely successful Michael biopic earned more than $709 million worldwide.
The three-part series revisits the highly publicised child molestation trial that followed the 2003 documentary Living with Michael Jackson, which sparked backlash after Jackson defended sharing his bedroom with children.
The docuseries features interviews with jurors, eyewitnesses, and members of both the prosecution and defence teams, aiming to provide a deeper look into what happened inside the courtroom, where cameras were banned during the original trial.
Jackson had faced multiple charges, including child molestation and conspiracy, but was acquitted on all counts in 2005 after a lengthy trial involving nearly 700 pieces of evidence and around 140 witnesses. Jurors later said their decision was based on credibility rather than Jackson’s celebrity status.
Directed by Nick Green and produced by David Herman alongside former ABC News president James Goldston, the series is being positioned as a serious examination of one of the most controversial moments in pop culture history rather than a sensational retelling.
The release comes amid renewed global interest in Jackson following the success of the biopic starring Jaafar Jackson, the late singer’s nephew, and a surge in streaming numbers that recently pushed Jackson past 100 million monthly listeners on Spotify for the first time.
Michael Jackson: The Verdict premieres globally on June 3, 2026.
