“Sacred Lies” on Facebook Watch: A New Era in International TV
Sacred Lies on Facebook Watch
Based on the classic Grimm Brothers tale, “The Handless Maiden” and Stephanie Oakes’ novel The Sacred Lies of Minnow Bly, and adapted and updated by writer Raelle Tucker (“True Blood”), “Sacred Lies” is about a handless teen who escapes from a cult and finds herself in juvenile detention, suspected of killing her cult leader, or possibly knowing who did.
The epic cast includes Emmy Award-winning Director/Producer Scott Winant (“ThirtySomething”), Actors Elena Kampouris (“My Big Fat Greek Wedding,” “American Odessy”), Kevin Carroll (“The Leftovers,” “Lucifer”) & Kiana Madeira (“The Flash,” “Taken”).
Facebook’s overview of the story goes as such: “History is told by the survivors. Find out what happened in these woods. What happened in the fire. What happened to Minnow Bly.”
With 10 episodes produced, the series began this summer, with Tucker recently tweeting “The first episode of #SacredLies has now been viewed [three] million times! Thank you for your support! Don’t stop now — the show gets even better and deeper in my humble opinion.” She also encourages potential viewers to “join our cult.” The cult of “Sacred Lies” watchers of course.
Sacred Lies airs Fridays, 9pm ET/6pm PT, only on Facebook Watch.
About Facebook Watch
The series airs only on Facebook Watch, a new video-on-demand platform for shows on Facebook. Watch consists of a new type of video on Facebook, airing full length shows made up of live or recorded episodes that follow a consistent storyline. Originally only available in parts of the U.S. on mobile, desktop, and Facebook TV apps; by publication time, Facebook Watch will launch globally. The platform began last year, testing with a limited group of publishers and creators making shows. Successful shows like Jada Pinket Smith’s “Red Table Talk,” which has garnered three million followers since debuting in May and “Ball in the Family,” about media personality LaVar Ball’s family, including son and L.A. Lakers point guard Lonzo (1.6 million followers) show that Facebook’s investment in the platform may be well-spent. Last Fall, The Wall Street Journal in the article “Facebook Willing to Spend Big in Video Push,” reported that the social-media giant was “willing to spend as much as $1 billion to cultivate original shows for its platform.”
Facebook Watch launched in the U.S. in August 2017 with the goal of helping users discover new shows and content organized around what their friends and communities are watching. Earlier this summer, the company also launched Watch Party, a way users can watch shows alongside other users. The feature allows people in the same Facebook Group to watch content together and chat in real time.
Though competing with streaming services like Amazon Prime Video, Netflix and YouTube, Facebook Watch has a few tricks up its sleeves. Facebook’s two billion users can access the platform through the “Watch” tab on Facebook’s left navigation bar, with recommendations like “Top Videos for You,” and “Watchlist,” a section to save videos and keep up on the latest episodes of their favorite shows.
Just as with Facebook live, Watch viewers can see comments and connect with friends and other viewers while watching, or participate in a dedicated Facebook Group for shows.
Find out what happened to Minnow Bly and join the SACRED LIES community: facebook.com/sacredliesshow.
Sacred Lies airs Fridays, 9pm ET/6pm PT, only on Facebook Watch.