Hulu has commissioned a documentary titled Fanatical: The Catfishing of Tegan and Sara, which delves into a catfishing scheme that deceived fans of the renowned Canadian indie rock duo. The film, directed by acclaimed true-crime filmmaker Erin Lee Carr, is set to premiere on October 18.
The documentary centers on Tegan and Sara Quin, twin sisters from Calgary, Alberta, whose band has garnered a devoted following, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community. The plot thickened in 2011 when Tegan’s personal computer files were hacked, leading to a devastating sequence of events.
According to Hulu, the film portrays “a sprawling yet intimate story” of how Tegan’s identity was stolen and manipulated in a complex catfishing plot aimed at her fan base. This scheme triggered significant mistrust, anxiety, and self-doubt within the community.
The production, created by Story Syndicate and Carr Lot Productions, seeks to uncover the perpetrators behind the elaborate scheme. It features an investigation led by Tegan, who collaborates with Carr to identify the person who has been targeting her and her fans for over 15 years. The documentary combines elements of a thriller, caper, and whodunnit, and is narrated through Tegan’s perspective, including testimonies from deceived fans, communications between the fake Tegan and victims, and behind-the-scenes footage of the band.
Tegan and Sara, who began their musical career at age 14 with their debut album Under Feet Like Ours in 1999, have released nine studio albums and received a Grammy nomination for their video album Get Along. Their song “Everything Is Awesome” was featured at the 2015 Oscars. Their music style has evolved from folky indie rock to synth-driven dance tracks and mainstream pop. They are also authors of the memoir High School, which has been adapted into a TV series.
Fanatical: The Catfishing of Tegan and Sara is produced by Erin Lee Carr, Elyssa Hess, and Jenny Eliscu, with executive producers including Tegan Quin, Sara Quin, Dan Cogan, Liz Garbus, Jon Bardin, and Kate Barry for Story Syndicate. This new documentary follows the success of Hulu’s Perfect Wife: The Mysterious Disappearance of Sherri Papini, which became the platform’s most-watched docuseries within a week of its June debut.