Trust

Trust reimagines the turmoil around the Getty family through the prism of the 1973 abduction of John Paul Getty III. When the young heir is seized in Rome, the kidnapping detonates long-simmering tensions inside one of America's richest dynasties. The series follows the immediate crisis and its ripple effects, showing how money, pride, and silence shape reactions more than affection. Characters maneuver to protect reputations, press for ransom, or distance themselves, while the boy's fate casts a harsh light on fathers, siblings, and advisors. The creators intended a wider timeline, but the first season stays focused on 1973.

Created by Simon Beaufoy, Trust premiered in 2018. The ensemble includes Donald Sutherland as J. Paul Getty Sr., Hilary Swank as Gail Getty, Harris Dickinson as John Paul Getty III, Michael Esper and Brendan Fraser among the top cast.

Critical response was mixed to positive, averaging 6.95 out of 10 from votes. Reviewers praised the show's look and the performances, while some found pacing uneven. Major themes include the corrosive effects of extreme wealth, family betrayal, the public spectacle of private pain, and how institutions prioritize assets over people.

By dramatizing a notorious real crime, the series renewed public interest in the Getty kidnapping and invited debate about how true events are turned into entertainment. It also renewed interest in reporting from the era, inspired podcasts and articles revisiting the case, and helped spark public discussions about private wealth, accountability, and the ethics of portraying victims and powerful figures for television.

It did not become a major awards contender, though coverage singled out several performances and the period production values. The show attracted attention more for its subject matter and cast than for trophies.