Some of the most thrilling and cutting edge TV shows of the past few years have been adapted from fan favorite podcasts, expanding on the source’s legacy and appeal. Such popular programs have tackled a slew of fascinating topics both fictional and factual, from sinister surgeons to talk show parodies and everything in between. Podcasts have taken the world by storm in recent years, entertaining the masses through comedy, true crime, sharp commentary and gripping tales among countless other intriguing subgenres. As of June 2022, there are more than 2.8 million podcasts available at the touch of a button, with new creations constantly debuting.

Amanda Seyfried knocked audiences off their feet with her intense and commanding performance of disgraced biotechnology entrepreneur Elizabeth Holmes in the smash-hit Hulu drama The Dropout, just like the charming Joshua Jackson chillingly portrayed psychopathic neurosurgeon Christopher Duntsch in the crime drama miniseries Dr. Death, based on the electrifying Laura Beil podcast of the same name. These are some of the best TV shows based off a podcast.

8 Dr. Death

Dr. Death on Peacock
Peacock 

Chronicling the disturbing malpractice committed by neurosurgeon Christopher Duntsch, the 2021 crime drama miniseries Dr. Death depicts the malicious unethical acts perpetrated by the psychopathic, sinister surgeon that resulted in the maiming and deaths of two of his patients. Based on the podcast of the same name hosted by Laura Beil, the chilling program highlights the efforts made by Duntsch’s fellow surgeons and a resolute assistant district attorney to put an end to the physician’s shocking reign of terror.

Joshua Jackson delivers a terrifying performance as the demented titular doctor, opening up about the experience to The New York Post by saying, “The first and hardest thing for me to do was take my judgement about this man and what he did, and put it to the side and try to see life from his perspective—where he’s the hero of his story rather than the villain. After that, everything sort of fell into place.”

7 The Dropout

Amanda Seyfried as Elizabeth Holmes in The Dropout
Disney Platform Distribution

Amanda Seyfried serves up a brilliant performance as the disgraced former biotechnology entrepreneur Elizabeth Holmes in the 2022 drama The Dropout, which tells the story of the impressive rise and ultimate fall of the notorious fraud who founded the now-defunct health technology company Theranos. The fascinating series delves into Holmes’ upbringing and adolescence, analyzing the likely motivations behind her schemes and lies that were first presented on the podcast of the same name hosted by Rebecca Jarvis.

Seyfried has garnered critical acclaim for her performance of the shamed public figure, telling Backstage magazine, “It was immediately obvious that it was a real character piece, something that was going to be incredibly challenging — and I welcomed that. This person in particular is just so mysterious that I had to try my hand at trying to figure it out.”

6 The Shrink Next Door

The Shrink Next Door
Apple TV+

Featuring the exceptional talents of comedy royalty Will Ferrell and Paul Rudd, the psychological, dark dramedy miniseries The Shrink Next Door tells the riveting real life story of psychiatrist Isaac Herschkopf (known as Dr. Ike), a man who inappropriately implements himself into the life of his patient Marty Markowitz and progressively blurs the lines of a patient/doctor relationship. Ferrell shines as the boundary-breaking Herschkopf, with his on-screen interactions with Rudd’s Markowitz serving as an outstanding aspect of the intriguing program that helps propel it forward. In their glowing review of the black dramedy, Common Sense Media wrote, “Will Ferrell and Paul Rudd have terrific chemistry in performances that could have skewed grim, lightening up a chilling premise.”

Related: Paul Rudd's Best Movies from the 90s, Ranked

5 Homecoming

homecoming
Amazon

Adapted from the Gimlet Media podcast of the same name, the psychological thriller Homecoming is an anthology series that revolves around the enigmatic wellness company Geist Group, chronicling the experiences of social worker Heidi Bergman at the Homecoming Transitional Support Center as they help soldiers navigate civilian life once more. The show depicts Heidi’s revelations and discoveries regarding Homecoming and its true purposes, with the second season also centering on Geist Group.

Hollywood superstar Julia Roberts made her brilliant small-screen debut as Bergman, with her performance being lauded as a television triumph; the esteemed star earned numerous nominations for her portrayal, winning a Satellite Award for Best Actress in a Television Series Drama.

4 Comedy Bang! Bang!

Comedy Bang Bang
AMC Networks

A spin-off of Scott Aukerman’s hilarious podcast, the IFC series Comedy Bang! Bang! features the actor and comedian hosting a talk show parody that includes deadpan humor and surreal spoofs and starred celebrity guests amusingly appearing as themselves or zany characters. Fellow comedian Reggie Watts appeared alongside Aukerman for four of the show’s seasons (before Kid Cudi and Weird Al Yankovic stepped in), serving as the sidekick and bandleader on the talk show until he left to join The Late Late Show with James Corden.

Many popular performers from Mr. Show with Bob and David collaborated on the parody program, most notably Bob Odenkirk, Paul F. Tompkins and David Cross; Aukerman was previously a writer on the aforementioned ‘90 sketch comedy series. Comedy Bang! Bang! ran for five successful seasons, while the podcast continues airing new episodes.

3 Dirty John

Dirty John
USA Network

The true crime anthology television series Dirty John showcases a love story gone wrong each season, with a stellar cast of performers like Eric Bana, Connie Britton, and the great Christian Slater headlining each twisted tale of romance. Christopher Goffard was the host of the popular podcast the show is based on, with the titillating crime podcast being downloaded over 10 million times in its first six weeks and effectively drawing in a large audience for the TV adaptation.

Related: 6 Shows Like Inventing Anna You Need to Watch Next

The first season of the series chronicled the nefarious exploits of conman John Meehan, a deceptive and dangerous criminal who targeted and harassed countless women before being killed by his step-daughter in self-defense. The second and final season centers on the disturbing case of Betty Broderick, a woman who was convicted of murdering her ex-husband and his second wife out of jealousy in 1989.

2 Lore

Lore
Amazon Studios 

The Amazon Prime Video series Lore chillingly delves into the urban legends and historical events that depict the darker side of human nature, with real-life terrifying tales and their origins being brought to life on the small screen. Each episode of the anthology TV show combines both cinematic reenactments and documentary footage, demonstrating how horror stories like werewolves, changelings and vampires may be nightmare fuel but are actually rooted in truth.

Popular performers like Robert Patrick, Holland Roden and Adam Goldberg appear in the spooky show, turning some of society’s most unsettling folklore and legends into an eerie reality. Both the podcast and series were created by Aaron Mahnke, with The Verge commenting that Lore “is able to turn the inherent creepiness of Mahnke’s podcast into original stories that are even more unnerving and resonant.”

1 Limetown

Jessica Biel in Limetown
Facebook Watch

Jessica Biel delivers a compelling performance as the determined APR journalist Lia Haddock in the 2019 drama Limetown, which follows the writer as she attempts to discover the mystery behind the perplexing disappearance of over 300 people at a research facility called Limetown in Tennessee. The fictional show depicts Haddock’s efforts to get to the bottom of the mystery, as the journalist is shocked to receive an anonymous call from an alleged survivor of the baffling mass disappearance at the neuroscience facility.

The Facebook Watch series was lauded for Biel’s powerful portrayal and for capturing the essence of the hit podcast, with Den of Geek declaring, “The production crew takes all of the mental pictures painted by the dialogue and transforms them into visual poetry that creates an atmosphere you can feel for hours afterward.”