The Weekly Drop: January 19-25, 2026 New True Crime Shows & Documentaries
- The Emerald Sleuth
- Jan 18
- 13 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
Welcome back, couch detectives. The January 19–25 lineup delivers another steady week of new true crime shows & documentaries, with returning series and a handful of one-off specials across platforms. This weekly drop lays out what’s airing, when it’s on, and where to watch, so you can plan your viewing without juggling schedules or hopping between streaming apps.
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While I track every release as carefully as possible, schedules can shift and networks occasionally update listings without notice. If something is missing or changes, feel free to let me know in the comments section at the bottom of this page.
Monday
January 19th, 2026
People Magazine Investigates
People Magazine Investigates Season 9, Episode 2 (“Death in Hell's Kitchen”) airs Monday at 9 p.m. ET on Investigation Discovery.
People Magazine Investigates returns for its ninth season, continuing its focus on headline-making crimes from across the United States. Drawing on reporting from PEOPLE’s true crime team, the series revisits both recent cases and long-running cold cases, examining how investigations unfolded and how lives were permanently altered. The new season explores high-profile murders and complex cases involving hidden relationships, long-buried evidence, and unexpected developments.
The trailer can be found in the January Surveillance Report.
The Curious Case Of…
The Curious Case Of… Season 2, Episode 2 (“The Killer Cheesecake”) airs Monday at 10 p.m. ET on Investigation Discovery.
The Curious Case Of… returns for its second season, continuing its focus on real-life scandals involving deception, manipulation, and abuse of trust. Hosted by legal analyst Beth Karas, the series examines cases where public personas and private actions sharply diverged, leading to financial harm, physical danger, or loss of life. Using investigative reporting, interviews, and archival material, each episode traces how unchecked influence and manufactured credibility resulted in devastating consequences.
A preview for the season premiere is included in January’s Surveillance Report.
Fatal Attraction
Fatal Attraction season 16, episode 24 (“Dancing with Danger”) airs Monday at 9 p.m. ET on TV One. Episodes are also available to stream on Philo.
Fatal Attraction continues its long-running focus on real-life crimes driven by obsessive relationships, jealousy, infidelity, and possessiveness. Each standalone episode follows investigators as they piece together evidence and uncover hidden dynamics in victims’ personal lives, examining how relationships rooted in control or fixation escalate into violence. Season sixteen features cases involving affairs, custody disputes, and power imbalances, highlighting how emotional intensity can turn deadly.
Tuesday
January 20th, 2026
Court Cam
Court Cam Season 10 airs Tuesday with two back-to-back new episodes (Episode 16 and Episode 17) on A&E at 9 p.m. ET and 9:30 p.m. ET. A&E lists “Stream Next Day” availability on its site and app for on-demand viewing.
Court Cam continues documenting courtroom proceedings from across the United States, using in-court footage to show how hearings, sentencings, and unexpected confrontations unfold in real time. Season nine features cases that drew public attention for their intensity or unusual circumstances, with context provided through interviews with judges, attorneys, witnesses, and others directly involved. Hosted by Dan Abrams, the series focuses on the mechanics and consequences of courtroom moments rather than narrative dramatization.
Booked: First Day In
Booked: First Day In Season 4, episode 2 (“DUI Dilemma”) airs Tuesday at 10 p.m. ET on A&E, with next-day streaming availability.
Booked: First Day In returns for its fourth season, following individuals as they move through the jail booking process after arrest. The series documents the initial hours of detention, focusing on interactions between arrestees and law enforcement while outlining the administrative, legal, and emotional realities of being booked into custody. Season four features facilities in Virginia Beach, Flagler County, Stanislaus County, Mesa County, Hancock County, and Clay County, presenting the process from both officer and detainee perspectives.
Evil Lives Here
Evil Lives Here season 19, episode 2 (“I Am Not My Father”) airs Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET on Investigation Discovery with episodes available to stream on Max following broadcast.
Evil Lives Here returns for its nineteenth season, continuing its focus on firsthand accounts from people who lived alongside individuals who later committed serious crimes. The series centers on personal testimony, examining how warning signs were overlooked or misunderstood and how relationships shifted once criminal behavior came to light. Through interviews with family members and close associates, the show explores the long-term emotional impact of discovering that someone trusted was capable of extreme violence.
The trailer for the new season appears in January’s Surveillance Report.
Killer Confessions: Case Files of a Texas Ranger
Killer Confessions: Case Files of a Texas Ranger season 1, episode 2 (“Lie, Cheat, Kill”) airs Tuesday at 10 p.m. ET on Investigation Discovery with episodes available to stream on Max following broadcast.
Killer Confessions: Case Files of a Texas Ranger centers on post-conviction interviews and interrogations conducted by Texas Ranger James Holland. The series revisits cases that were once stalled or unresolved, examining how direct questioning, psychological pressure, and sustained interrogation led to confessions or new insights into violent crimes. Through interviews and case reconstruction, the show focuses on offender behavior and the investigative methods used to elicit admissions in complex cases.
A preview for the series premiere is included in January’s Surveillance Report.
Harlan Coben’s Final Twist
Harlan Coben’s Final Twist Season 1, Episode 3 (“No Sign of Nancy”) airs Tuesday at 10 p.m. ET on CBS, with live and on-demand streaming available via Paramount+.
Harlan Coben’s Final Twist is a true crime documentary series that examines real cases involving murder, deception, and unresolved questions. Hosted by novelist Harlan Coben, the series applies a narrative framework drawn from his fiction writing to factual investigations, focusing on how hidden motives, false assumptions, and overlooked details influenced case outcomes. Each episode revisits a single case using interviews and archival material to explore competing narratives and gaps in the public understanding of the crime.
The trailer is available in January’s Surveillance Report.
Handsome Devil: The Charming Killer
Handsome Devil: The Charming Killer is a three-part true crime documentary series premiering Tuesday, January 20, 2026 on Paramount+. All three episodes will be available to stream beginning January 20.
The series examines the case of Wade Wilson, a Florida man convicted in 2019 of murdering Kristine Melton and Diane Ruiz. It explores the circumstances surrounding the crimes, the investigation and trial, and the factors that contributed to Wilson becoming an online fixation, including the role of social media attention during and after the case. Using police body camera footage and interviews with people connected to the investigation, the docuseries examines how public fascination, media coverage, and violent crime intersected in a highly scrutinized case.
A trailer is included in January’s Surveillance Report.
Wednesday
January 21st, 2026
Alaska State Troopers
Alaska State Troopers Season 9, Episode 3 ("Lost in the Woods") airs Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET on A&E, with next-day streaming availability.
Alaska State Troopers follows law enforcement officers responsible for policing one of the largest and most remote jurisdictions in the United States. Using ride-alongs and field footage, each episode captures criminal investigations, search and rescue operations, and emergency responses shaped by extreme weather, vast distances, and limited resources.
View the season premiere trailer in January’s Surveillance Report.
Ozark Law
Ozark Law Season 2, Episode 3 ("Chaos on the Water") airs Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET on A&E, with next-day streaming availability.
Ozark Law returns for its second season, continuing to follow the Lake Ozark and Osage Beach Police Departments as they police one of Missouri’s busiest tourist destinations. Set during peak tourist season, the series documents responses to boating incidents, alcohol-related offenses, large-scale holiday crowds, and routine patrols intensified by a surge of visitors. The season also examines pressures facing local agencies, including the challenges of onboarding new officers and navigating legal disputes that affect policing tools and authority.
Watch the season premiere trailer via January’s Surveillance Report.
Desert Law
Desert Law Season 1, Episode 3 (“Over the Limit”) airs Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET on A&E, with next-day streaming availability.
Desert Law is a new true crime series following the Pima County Sheriff’s Department as deputies patrol more than 9,000 square miles of desert terrain in southern Arizona. Filmed primarily during overnight hours, the series documents patrol operations, DUI enforcement, and investigative work in and around Tucson, highlighting the logistical and environmental challenges of policing a vast and rugged region. Episodes track responses ranging from routine traffic enforcement to serious criminal incidents in remote areas.
The trailer for the series premiere is available in January’s Surveillance Report.
Body Cam
Body Cam S10, episode 8 ("Risking it All") airs Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET on Investigation Discovery (streams next day on Max).
Body Cam uses real body-worn camera footage to document hazardous situations encountered by law enforcement. Each episode pairs the video with firsthand accounts from the officers involved, offering additional context about the split-second decisions made in the moment.
The Murder Tapes
The Murder Tapes season 10, episode 8 (“Murder In Disguise”) airs Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET on Investigation Discovery (streams the next day on Max).
The Murder Tapes uses real investigative footage to follow homicide cases from the initial call to their resolution. Episodes combine bodycam video, surveillance recordings, and interrogation-room footage to show how investigators gathered and interpreted evidence throughout the case. The series presents a chronological view of each investigation and highlights both the process and the impact on the families involved.
Dateline: Secrets Uncovered
Dateline: Secrets Uncovered Season 16, Episode 10 (“Who Killed Courtney Coco?”) airs Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET on Oxygen, with next-day streaming availability.
Dateline: Secrets Uncovered revisits cases previously featured on Dateline, returning to the evidence with updated context and additional perspective. Episodes re-examine investigations that unfolded over long periods of time, incorporating archival reporting alongside new interviews with those closest to the cases. The series focuses on how overlooked details, evolving forensic methods, and delayed revelations reshaped outcomes that once seemed unresolved or misunderstood.
Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart
Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart is a feature-length documentary arriving Wednesday, January 21, 2026 on Netflix. The 91-minute film revisits the 2002 abduction of 14-year-old Elizabeth Smart from her Salt Lake City home and her nine-month captivity.
Told through Smart’s own words along with archival and previously unseen footage, the documentary includes interviews with family members, investigators, and others closely connected to the case. It traces how the abduction unfolded, how the search progressed, and how the experience has shaped Smart’s life in the decades since.
A trailer is included in January’s Surveillance Report.
Thursday
January 22nd, 2026
The First 48
The First 48 Season 29, Episode 4 (“The Cool Mom”) will air Thursday at 8 p.m ET on A&E with next day streaming on the A&E app.
The First 48 is a long-running documentary series that follows homicide detectives during the critical first two days after a murder, when time-sensitive evidence, witness cooperation, and investigative momentum matter most. Through real-time casework, forensic analysis, and interrogations, the series documents how quickly leads can emerge or disappear as investigators work to prevent cases from going cold.
Homicide Squad New Orleans
Homicide Squad New Orleans Season 3, Episode 2 (“Crossing Stories”) premieres Thursday at 9 p.m. ET on A&E. Episodes will also be available to stream on the A&E app and website following broadcast.
Homicide Squad New Orleans returns for its third season, following homicide detectives in New Orleans as they investigate some of the city’s most violent and complex cases. Each episode centers on a single case, including fatal home invasions, drive-by shootings, and deadly altercations. Produced by Dick Wolf, the series documents how evidence collection, witness interviews, and investigative judgment come together as detectives work toward resolution.
Crime in Progress
Crime in Progress Season 1, Episode 4 (“Manhunt in Georgia”) airs at 10 p.m. ET on A&E streams next day on the A&E app.
Crime in Progress is a documentary series that follows criminal investigations in real time using only body cam, dash cam, and surveillance footage. With no narration or reenactments, each episode tracks a case from the initial 911 call through investigative decisions and courtroom outcomes, presenting an unfiltered view of how cases unfold as events happen and choices are made under pressure.
View the trailer in January's Surveillance Report.
Dateline: Unforgettable
Dateline: Unforgettable Season 7, Episode 10 (“Murder In Minot”) airs Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET on Oxygen, with next-day streaming availability.
Dateline: Unforgettable revisits select cases from the Dateline archive through the perspective of the correspondents who originally reported them. Rather than re-presenting the investigations in full, the series reflects on why certain cases endured — whether due to unexpected turns, unresolved questions, or the lasting impact on victims’ families and those who worked the cases. Episodes focus on the emotional, investigative, and human elements that continued to resonate long after the initial reporting ended.
London’s Gangsters
London’s Gangsters is a two-part documentary premiering Thursday, January 22, 2026 on Sundance Now and AMC+. Both episodes premiere January 22 on Sundance Now and AMC+.
The series revisits the rise and fall of twin brothers Reggie and Ronnie Kray, who dominated East London’s criminal underworld during the 1960s. Drawing on archival material and previously unheard prison recordings, the documentary examines the brothers’ relationship, contrasting personalities, and the power dynamics that fueled both their success and eventual collapse. It traces their path from poverty and boxing to organized crime and celebrity, while exploring how violence, notoriety, and internal conflict ultimately led to their downfall.
A trailer is included in January’s Surveillance Report.
IMPACT x Nightline
Added: 1/22/26
IMPACT x Nightline season 4, episode 14 (“Kill Code: Black Dahlia & Zodiac Two Cases, One Killer?”), streams Thursday on Disney+ and Hulu.
The weekly ABC News Studios streaming series continues its focus on in-depth investigative reporting into high-profile cases and cultural flashpoints. This episode examines renewed claims surrounding two of the most infamous unsolved cases in American history: the 1947 Black Dahlia murder and the Zodiac killings. The report follows the work of amateur sleuth Alex Baber, who argues that deciphering a long-unsolved Zodiac cipher points to a single suspect connected to both cases. The episode includes interviews with Baber and commentary from former LAPD cold case detectives and legal analysts, exploring how the claims were developed and how they are being evaluated by experts.
Friday
January 23rd, 2026
ABC 20/20
20/20 returns with an all-new episode this week (Season 48/Episode 15, "Her Last Note") airing on Friday, at 9 E.T. on ABC and streaming on Disney+ and Hulu following its ABC broadcast.
20/20 is ABC’s long-running investigative newsmagazine series, known for its in-depth reporting on high-profile crimes, criminal investigations, and complex legal cases. Through interviews, courtroom records, and investigative journalism, the program provides detailed examinations of how crimes unfold and how the justice system responds.
View the trailer on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/14abtW8toBq/
Dateline NBC
A new episode of Dateline NBC (season 34 episode 13) airs Friday at 9 p.m. ET on NBC and streams the next day on Peacock. Specific episode topics have not been confirmed at the time of this writing.
Dateline NBC is a long-running newsmagazine that investigates crime, mystery, and other real-life stories through in-depth reporting and interviews. The series examines a single case or topic each episode, using detailed storytelling and investigative journalism to provide full context behind the events.
The Big Fake
The Big Fake is a feature-length docu-drama arriving Friday, January 23, 2026 on Netflix.
The film examines the life of Toni Chichiarelli, an Italian art forger whose technical skill drew him into an international web of deception. The documentary traces Chichiarelli’s arrival in Rome as an aspiring painter and his gradual transition into large-scale forgery. It explores how his work circulated beyond the art world and intersected with criminal networks and political interests in Italy. Told through dramatized sequences, the film focuses on ambition, fraud, and the consequences of a double life built on imitation and secrecy.
A trailer is included in January’s Surveillance Report.
I Bid You Peace: The Rise & Fall of the Frugal Gourmet
Added: 1/25/26
I Bid You Peace: The Rise & Fall of the Frugal Gourmet is a five-part true crime documentary series released January 23, 2026. The series is available as a private release through its official website. (https://ibidyoupeace.com/)
The documentary examines the life and career of Jeff Smith, the popular PBS television chef known as The Frugal Gourmet, and the sexual abuse allegations that surfaced in the 1990s involving teenage boys who worked for him. Through interviews with survivors, journalists, and colleagues, the series traces Smith’s rise as a trusted public figure alongside the long-standing accusations that followed him behind the scenes. The series also explores how cultural admiration, institutional reluctance, and media silence contributed to delayed accountability, ultimately leading to a 1997 civil lawsuit that Smith settled shortly before trial.
A trailer is included in January’s Surveillance Report.
Saturday
January 24th, 2026
Cold Justice
Season 8 (“Inside the Investigation 810") will air Saturday at 7 p.m. ET on Oxygen, with streaming availability following the network premiere. This special episode offers additional insights and behind-the-scenes details from the case.
Cold Justice follows former prosecutor Kelly Siegler and a team of seasoned investigators as they partner with local law enforcement to work active and long-dormant homicide cases. The series focuses on evidence review, field investigation, and collaborative detective work aimed at moving real cases closer to resolution.
Accident, Suicide or Murder
Accident, Suicide or Murder Season 6, Episode 10 (“Mother's Trigger”) airs Saturday, at 8 p.m. ET on Oxygen with streaming available on the Oxygen app and website thereafter.
The series reexamines suspicious deaths where the cause is unclear, following investigators as they work to determine whether a life was lost by accident, by self-harm, or at the hands of someone else.
48 Hours
CBS is scheduled to air two new blocks of 48 Hours on Saturday, with listings currently showing episodes at 9 p.m. ET and 10 p.m. ET. Streaming will be available on Paramount+. Specific episode topics and whether the night represents a two-hour presentation or separate installments have not been confirmed at the time of this writing.
The long-running investigative series presents in-depth reporting on real cases, using interviews, archival material, and field investigation to trace each story from the first questions to the final outcome.
Sunday
January 25th, 2026
Snapped
Snapped Season 36, Episode 4 (“Brookey Lee West”) airs Sunday at 6 p.m. ET on Oxygen, with streaming available on the Oxygen App.
Snapped is a long-running true crime series that examines cases involving women accused of murder, focusing on personal histories, relationships, and the circumstances that led to the crime. Through interviews, recreations, and firsthand accounts, the series traces how investigations unfolded and how motives emerged as each case came to light.
Killer Relationship With Faith Jenkins
Season 4, Episode 12 ("Shattered Vows") airs Sunday at 7 p.m. ET on Oxygen, with streaming availability on the Oxygen app and website after broadcast.
Killer Relationship with Faith Jenkins explores cases where romantic or personal relationships unravel into violence. Former Manhattan prosecutor Faith Jenkins guides each episode, using her legal background to examine how trust, affection, and intimacy shifted toward jealousy, manipulation, and murder. Through interviews with families, friends, and law enforcement, the series traces each story from its promising beginnings to its fatal end.
The Hillside Strangler
The Hillside Strangler is a four-part documentary miniseries airing on MGM+. The series premiered Sunday, January 18, 2026, with new episodes airing weekly at 10 p.m. ET. Episode 2 airs this week.
The series revisits the Hillside Strangler murders that terrorized Los Angeles in the late 1970s, a period when multiple serial killers were active in the city. It examines the abduction, sexual assault, and murders of women and girls whose bodies were left in public locations, and follows the investigation that became the largest manhunt in Los Angeles history.
Using archival material and new interviews, the docuseries explores the work of lead homicide detective Frank Salerno and the investigation that revealed the crimes were committed by two perpetrators, Kenneth Bianchi and his cousin Angelo Buono. The series includes interviews with Salerno reflecting on the case decades later, as well as on-camera participation from Bianchi, who speaks publicly about the crimes for the first time.
A trailer for the series is included in January’s Surveillance Report.
Wrapping Up: January 19–25, 2026 New True Crime Shows & Documentaries
That’s the full slate of confirmed true crime premieres and returning episodes scheduled for January 19–25. The Weekly Drop focuses on clarity over clutter, laying out what’s airing and where to find it so the week doesn’t turn into a scavenger hunt.
January’s Surveillance Report is live with a month-long view of upcoming true crime releases, including platforms and air dates. December’s report remains available for anyone catching up or backtracking through recent releases.
If a late addition appears or something was missed, drop a comment and the list will be updated as needed.
Links to follow along, join the conversation, or stay current as new cases surface are below.
See you next week,
