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The Watcher's Mia Farrow feels "guilty" that she made a show about a real family’s pain

18 October 2022, 11:37

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By Sam Prance

"I’m sorry for them and everything. Hopefully, they don't see the series."

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Mia Farrow has opened up about filming The Watcher and said that she hopes the real family who inspired it don't watch it.

Last week (Oct 13), The Watcher debuted on Netflix and immediately began terrifying viewers all around the world. The new Ryan Murphy drama is inspired by the disturbing true story of Derek and Maria Broaddus. The real-life couple bought their dream home in New Jersey, only to be tormented by a series of creepy letters from a person who goes by The Watcher.

In the show, Naomi Watts and Bobby Cannavale play Nora and Dean Brannock, a fictional couple who are based on Derek and Maria. Now, Mia Farrow, who plays Nora and Dean's completely fictional neighbour Peral Winslow, has said that she feels "guilty" that she had such a good time making the show when the real family went through such a difficult time.

The Watcher's Mia Farrow hopes the family who inspired it don't watch it. Picture: Netflix

Speaking to Radio Times about Derek and Maria, Mia said: "I'm really sorry for that family because they were embracing the American Dream, presumably. In your own home, which is supposed to be the safest place; your hearth, your heart, your comfort, your children, all of those things were taken away in the scariest way and I'm really sorry for that."

She added: "[It was] a very different experience for us because we were only the actors and Ryan had created very different details. I don't know if my character existed in the lives of those people. That storyline covered the basic outline… but the details are Ryan Murphy. So, I don't know who the family was. I don't know if I ever knew."

Maria continued: "But I’m sorry for them and everything. Hopefully, they don't see the series."

Netflix's The Watcher is based on a true story. Picture: Netflix

When asked about making dramas about real people's pain, Mia explained that she "did feel guilty" about having "fun" while making the show. However, her co-star Margo Martindale, who plays fictional neighbour Maureen, then told her that it was "OK" to enjoy filming the series. Margo added: "I feel great about it. I enjoyed every moment of doing it."

According to The Cut, Derek and Maria wanted "little involvement" in the show and requested that Netflix cast actors who don't look like them in real life. Netflix did pay them for the show but the couple say that it wasn't nearly enough to cover what they lost buying and selling their house.