Netflix's Popular 2-Part Crime Drama Is Being Removed From the Platform

Dirty John, the tense, addictive anthology series that helped put Netflix on the map as a true-crime platform, is officially leaving the streaming service. Both seasons of the dramatized crime series, which are based on the popular podcast that goes by the same name, are scheduled to leave the streaming platform at the end of the month. So, fans looking to rewatch the show and viewers who have had it on their “to watch” list for eight years have just weeks to make it through both seasons.

Dirty John is a true-crime anthology series where each season tells a standalone story. Both seasons are focused on relationships that spiral into manipulation and violence, but, you don’t need to have seen the first season to enjoy the second one. Season one tells the story of Debra Newell, played by Connie Britton, a wealthy woman from California who meets a man named John Meehan, played by Eric Bana, and has this whirlwind romance only to find herself struggling to escape his control. In the second season, viewers learn about Betty and Dan Broderick, a couple whose romance went from love and support to a shocking double homicide.

'Dirty John' Is Leaving Netflix at the End of May

Originally premiering on Bravo, the show was an instant hit, largely attributed to the built-in fan base it had from the podcast and the gripping story telling. With only eight episodes in each season, it’s the perfect binge-watch and it gets high ratings on Rotten Tomatoes. While a little melodramatic, it has gripping plot lines and keeps a quick pace without a lot of filler in the episodes.

The show premiered in 2018 and the first season tells the true story of Newell. When she met Meehan, she was a successful interior designer and believed that she had finally found love. Meehan was charismatic, and they quickly move toward getting married, but her adult daughters keep voicing concerns that something is off about Meehan. Slowly, cracks appear in Meehan’s carefully constructed persona, putting a dark cloud over the once glamorous love story.

As the season goes on, Newell’s daughters start investigating Meehan and find out that he has a long history of deception, criminal behavior and manipulation. But, Meehan had isolated Newell from her family and convinced her that she wasn’t worthy in an effort to keep control over her. Finally, Newell breaks free, but her romance with Meehan leaves a lasting impact on the entire family.

Season two moved to USA Network, but kept the same level of interest from viewers. Instead of focusing on a whirlwind romance, it tells the story of a breakdown of a seemingly once happy marriage. Betty began as a devoted wife and mother, also living in California, who supported her husband Dan through medical school and then law school. Dan eventually becomes a powerful, wealthy attorney, shifting the balance of their marriage and leaving Betty bitter and resentful.

Dan, played by Christian Slater, leaves Betty for a younger woman, named Linda, and dominates the divorce and custody proceedings. Having supported Dan for years so he could reach this level of success, Betty feels betrayed and her rage grows. Eventually, Betty’s rage overpowers her and she murders Dan and his new wife. While it may seem cut and dry that Betty is the bad guy and Dan is the good guy, the show presents itself as more of a reflection of how power, gender dynamics and the legal system can push a person to the brink of psychological collapse.

Unlike Netflix Originals, the streaming platform doesn’t outright own Dirty John and has to license the content. It’s likely the reason why the show is leaving the platform. Netflix has to pay to license these shows and with the platform prioritizing original content, shows like Dirty John are increasingly vulnerable even if audiences love them.

Where You’ll Still Be Able to Watch 'Dirty John' After Netflix

As of now, it’s unclear where Dirty John will land once it leaves Netflix. It’s currently only streaming on Netflix, so where, if anywhere, Dirty John appears on streaming remains to be seen. It’s possible the series could reappear on platforms that are tied to NBC given that it originally aired on Bravo, which is owned by NBC.

So, the best bet for people wanting to keep watching the show after the May 31 deadline, is to buy it on a digital storefront like Amazon Prime or AppleTV. But, fans who don’t want to pay for it could also wait and see if it lands somewhere in June. Plus, these shows tend to come back around to streaming after not too long. So, even if Dirty John doesn’t go to another streamer immediately, it’s possible it could be brought back within a few months.

Dirty John isn’t the only show leaving Netflix this month, either. Bryan Cranston’s Your Honor will be leaving the streaming platform at the same time, also likely due to the licensing agreements. It’s also unclear if Your Honor will be available to stream other places. So, the bottom line is that Your Honor and Dirty John might not be around for long. So, if viewers have been waiting to watch it, now is the time. Once it leaves Netflix on May 31, there’s no guarantee that it’ll be available for free to stream on another platform.