Series synopsis
Cults and Extreme Belief is an American documentary television series that premiered on Planète+ Crime Investigation on May 28, 2018. It ended on July 22, 2018. It was created by Elizabeth Vargas. It stars Elizabeth Vargas, Teddy Hose, Stephen Kent and Samie Brosseau.
Elizabeth Vargas, alongside former members of controversial organizations, goes on a search to uncover how these sects use their influence to prey upon people's desperation to create powerful and often destructive belief systems. Each episode will take an immersive look at one currently active group through the eyes of past devotees and get perspective from believers and leaders that are still inside.
Premise
Elizabeth Vargas, alongside former members of controversial organizations, goes on a search to uncover how these sects use their influence to prey upon people's desperation to create powerful and often destructive belief systems. Each episode will take an immersive look at one currently active group through the eyes of past devotees and get perspective from believers and leaders that are still inside.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Elizabeth Vargas as Herself
- Teddy Hose as Himself
- Stephen Kent as Himself
- Samie Brosseau as Herself
Guest cast
- Steph LeHane as Branding Doctor
Episodes
This series spans 1 season with 9 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 9 | May 28, 2018 | July 22, 2018 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
NXIVM As a recruiter for multi-level marketing self-help group NXIVM, Sarah Edmondson brought thousands of people to the organization. In October of 2017, she exposed the group as a destructive sex-cult and is now doing everything in her power to support the criminal prosecution of the cult's leader, Keith Raniere. |
May 28, 2018 |
| 2 |
Jehovah's Witnesses Former Jehovah’s Witness Romy Maple–a survivor of child sexual abuse–embarks on a journey to uncover why her pleas for justice were systematically ignored by top members of the organization. |
May 29, 2018 |
| 3 |
Children of God Amy Bril recounts her childhood growing up in the Children of God, a group notorious for pedophilia and “religious” prostitution. Amy and others born and raised in the group are banding together to address a suicide epidemic among fellow survivors. |
June 5, 2018 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | Planète+ Crime Investigation |
|---|---|
| First aired | May 28, 2018 |
| Last aired | July 22, 2018 |
| Runtime | 42 minutes |
| Status | canceled |
| Schedule | Monday at 22:00:00 |