Netflix, which has seen success in the true crime genre with shows like Mindhunter and Evil Genius, among other shows, has decided to make a new seven-part documentary series called Killer Ratings, which focuses on Brazilian TV host turned politician Wallace Souza. The subject, Souza, was accused of ordering murders in order to bolster ratings of his crime series.
Wallace Souza rose to fame as the host of Canal Livre. While the show was a hit, the host’s reputation was tarnished when it was claimed that he was the one ordering murders himself, making him the first to certain crime scenes. The host’s former bodyguard accused him of being the head of a criminal organization in Brazil. In October 2009, Souza was charged with murder, drug-trafficking, intimidation of witnesses, illegal carrying of arms and the formation of a criminal and was expelled from the state assembly. After the arrest warrant was issued, he disappeared, but subsequently gave himself up before dying of a heart attack the following year.
Netflix has ordered Killer Ratings from British factual producers Caravan and Quicksilver, who have assembled a bevy of information on Wallace Souza’s case, which includes exclusive interviews with close relatives, friends, police and members of the police task force. Additionally, previously unseen footage of Souza filmed in the middle of the scandal will be provided for the documentary.