Hilarie Burton Morgan Returns with Season 2 of "True Crime Story: It Couldn't Happen Here"
Renowned for her roles in "One Tree Hill" and "White Collar," Hilarie Burton Morgan is making a comeback with the second season of her gripping docuseries, "True Crime Story: It Couldn't Happen Here." The show sheds light on murder cases in small towns across America, bringing attention to often-overlooked narratives.
Having personal ties to governmental and law enforcement circles, Burton Morgan found her calling in the true crime genre. Initially aiming for a career in government post-college, her relocation to New York led her down a different path in the entertainment industry after she secured a hosting position on "Total Request Live" just two weeks into her move to the city.
However, a tragic incident near her new residence sparked her fervor for justice as she witnessed the victim's mistreatment by local media, judges, and the district attorney, leaving Burton Morgan deeply unsettled.
"It was horrifying. And I thought, you know, this is happening all over the place. And we should examine these stories. We're in small towns, people don't have the resources, they don't have the advocacy to fight wrongful convictions," expressed Burton Morgan.
The docuseries goes beyond just recounting the crimes, delving into the difficulties faced by families and their interactions with local media and law enforcement. Burton Morgan approaches her interviews with a mix of compassion and efficiency, earning her respect and appreciation from many, including typically reserved law enforcement.
"They're very resistant to taking a second look at things. But as we've moved forward in the series, what we're finding is more and more law enforcement willing to come forward and say, 'I saw a problem. I would love some help in addressing this problem,'" shared Burton Morgan.
One of the notable episodes this season focuses on a tragic incident in Prichard, Alabama, involving the murder of a teenager from the LGBTQ+ community.
"It didn't matter how much love the mother gave their child, they were still faced with this violence," she remarked.
Burton Morgan mentioned that she maintains connections with the individuals featured in her docuseries even after filming ends.
"I've built long-lasting relationships with many of the families we collaborate with," said Burton Morgan, who is married to actor Jeffrey Dean Morgan and has two children. "They're my Facebook friends. They comment on my kids' posts. I, you know, comment on everything they're doing, and it's so honoring that they're so brave in coming forward, reliving these situations. It's important. I don't ever want to be a one-and-done interview because we have long-term work to do as a unit."
"True Crime Story: It Couldn't Happen Here" is now available for viewing on Sundance TV, AMC Plus, and Sundance Now.
