Ghislaine Maxwell, the former girlfriend and alleged accomplice of Jeffrey Epstein, will be the centre of an upcoming docuseries from author James Patterson. It will be Patterson’s second project diving into the life of Epstein, with his Netflix documentary Jefferey Epstein: Filthy Rich, premiering in 2020.
The series, titled Chasing Ghislaine, was announced on May 19, 2021, and will premiere later in the year. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the series will provide a new glimpse into Epstein’s “wealth and influence”, as well as explore how “Maxwell’s alleged role within this conspiracy threatens a shadowy cabal of international elite and world leaders who might do anything to keep their identities—and motives—hidden.”
Notably, Prince Andrew found himself involved in the case due to his close relationship with both Maxwell and Epstein. Virginia Roberts Giuffre, one of the most outspoken of Epstein’s survivors, maintains that Maxwell introduced her to British royalty Prince Andrew, adding that she was forced to have sex with him when she was just a teen.
Prince Andrew and the royal family have so far denied all claims, with Andrew himself telling journalist Emily Maitlis that he has “no recollection of ever meeting this lady, none whatsoever” in his infamous defense interview last year. He has since retired from all royal responsibilities permanently.
THR notes that the docuseries will feature more than 30 interviews conducted by journalist and author Vicky Ward, who reportedly knew Maxwell socially. Prior to Epstein’s arrest, Maxwell was widely known in the British social scene. The docuseries will offer viewers exclusive access to filmed interviews, that Ward is currently conducting for this project and an Audible Original podcast of the same name, as well as archived audio recordings with Epstein and others within his circle for Ward’s original reporting in Vanity Fair.
The news comes as Maxwell, the daughter of disgraced billionaire media tycoon Robert Maxwell, prepares to face trial in November on charges including sex trafficking and involvement in the abuse of underage girls. The former associate of Epstein’s has been accused of luring teen girls for the late businessman over the course of a decade. Epstein died in prison in August 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
“We have the definitive look at the man and his alleged primary co-conspirator, who many believe holds the keys to the remaining mysteries of Epstein’s operations, including the web of men whose money propped him up and allowed him to victimise young girls for nearly two decades,” a representative for Discovery, Inc. said in the announcement via THR, adding that the team behind the series will “shed light on the case—and the suspected cover-up.”
Maxwell, who has been in federal prison since July 2020, previously pleaded not guilty to helping Epstein recruit and groom three teenage girls for sex between 1994 and 1997. According to The Guardian, if convicted, Maxwell could face up to 35 years in prison.
