UPDATE

SERIES PREMIERE

ABC NEWS STUDIOS' NEW DOCUSERIES 'SCAMANDA,' BASED ON THE HIT PODCAST OF THE SAME NAME, PREMIERES OCT. 16 ON ABC AND STREAMS NEXT DAY ON HULU

"Scamanda," the new docuseries based on the No. 1 podcast of the same name, unravels the story of California native Amanda Riley, a young wife, mother and devout Christian whose life suddenly takes a terrible turn when she is diagnosed with Stage 3 blood cancer. Amanda begins documenting her battle online, captivating thousands, but she has a secret that she is dying to keep. Her story changes from inspiration to suspicion when someone sends an anonymous tip to investigative producer Nancy Mosciatello, who then embarks on a five-year-long investigation into Amanda. Soon, Amanda's own words may prove to be her downfall. "Scamanda" airs Wednesdays at 10:00 p.m. EDT/PDT on ABC, premiering Oct. 16 and streaming next day on Hulu.

Based on the Lionsgate podcast that topped the charts and was Apple Podcasts' most shared show of 2023, the series features new and exclusive interviews, including police and an IRS investigator who covered the case, former friends of Amanda's, and a neuropsychologist who provides insight into the mind of a scammer; communications between Amanda and podcast host, Charlie Webster; exclusive access to archival assets; materials collected by Moscatiello during her investigation and more.

In the premiere episode, "Stage 1: Who's Afraid of Amanda Riley?," a beautiful young mother is given a devastating cancer diagnosis. Her community and church rally around her as she inspires thousands more with a blog, bravely chronicling her journey - but is all as it seems?

"Scamanda" is produced by Pilgrim Media Group, a division of Lionsgate Alternative Television, for ABC News Studios. Elizabeth Waller and Craig Pilligian serve as executive producers for Pilgrim Media Group. Elissa Halperin serves as co-executive producer. Nancy Mosciatello and Charlie Webster serve as producers. For ABC News Studios, Victoria Thompson serves as executive producer, and David Sloan is the senior executive producer. ABC News Studios is led by Mike Kelley, and Reena Mehta is SVP of Streaming and Digital Content. "Scamanda," the podcast, is produced by Lionsgate Sound.

About ABC News Studios

Nominated for 15 News and Documentary Emmy Awards, ABC News Studios is inspired by ABC News' trusted reporting and is an award-winning, premium news and documentary original production house and commissioning partner of series and specials. ABC News Studios champions untold and authentic stories driving the cultural zeitgeist spanning true-crime, investigations, pop culture and news-adjacent stories. ABC News Studios' original titles include critically acclaimed documentaries "Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields," "BRATS," "Sound of the Police," "The Lady Bird Diaries" and "Aftershock," and popular docuseries and documentaries, including "After Baywatch: Moment in the Sun," "Betrayal: A Father's Secret," "Killing County," "Wild Crime," "Mormon No More," "The Randall Scandal: Love, Loathing, and Vanderpump" and "Jelly Roll: Save Me."

About Lionsgate Alternative Television

A division of global content leader Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF.A, LGF.B), Lionsgate Alternative Television is a major force in unscripted programming. Encompassing Pilgrim Media Group, Renegade 83, Blackfin, Whizz Kid Entertainment, Daisybeck Studios and the unscripted businesses of eOne in the U.S., U.K. and Canada, the group is responsible for a prolific roster of hit non-scripted franchises including Naked and Afraid, Street Outlaws, Growing Up Hip Hop, The Yorkshire Vet and Ex on the Beach, as well as acclaimed limited series Killer Inside: The Mind of Aaron Hernandez and Tulsa Burning: The 1921 Race Massacre. Lionsgate Alternative Television produces unscripted content across sports, documentary, historical, competition reality, true crime, family, game shows, dating and more.