Octavia Spencer Partners With ID and Discovery+ To Develop True Crime Projects Starting with Oregon ‘Highway 20’ Docuseries

variety.com:

Selome Hailu Octavia Spencer and her production company Orit Entertainment have partnered with ID and Discovery+ as well as October Films to develop and executive produce a slate of true crime projects.Two projects are already in production, with more in development. “Highway 20” (working title) is the first project to come out of the deal.

The three-episode documentary series begins with the case of a missing 13-year-old girl and expands to examine a stretch of Oregon’s U.S.

Highway 20 where many women and girls went missing or were raped or murdered between the 1970s and 1990s. As the discovery of numerous unsolved crimes sparks fear in the local community, the series focuses on the possibility that a serial killer has been roaming the highway for decades, asking poignant questions of our society’s treatment of women. “Highway 20” is inspired by the work of journalist Noelle Crombie, videographer Dave Killen and photojournalist Beth Nakamura of The Oregonian, and directed by Arianna Lapenne.“As an avid fan of true crime, to now be partners with ID and October Films is a dream,” said Spencer. “Everyone at Orit Entertainment is committed to shedding light on the most fascinating cases and crime stories with a unique perspective.

We are thrilled to launch our collaboration with ‘Highway 20’ (wt), an incredible series of cases that took place over decades, only recently connected into a larger story – and this is just the beginning.”“Octavia is a creative force who brings a level of unparalleled curiosity and honesty to every story she tells.