Steven Stayner: Last News

Matt Donnelly Senior Film WriterThe Hulu original unscripted series “Captive Audience” has lived up to its name, earning record-breaking viewership for the streamer.Hulu documentary chief Belisa Balaban told Variety exclusively that the show — which explores the harrowing kidnapping of 7-year-old Steven Stayner and its resulting media frenzy — has set a record for most-viewed nonfiction TV program in its first month of release.Launched on April 21, “Captive Audience” is also the second-most watched unscripted series in Hulu’s history. Directed by Jessica Dimmock and produced by Wonderburst and Joe and Anthony Russo’s AGBO, the program is second only to “The Kardashians” in total viewership for its category.

Hulu, “Captive Audience: A Real American Horror Story,” which premieres Thursday, April 21. “I wanted to share Steve’s homecoming with the world. I wanted to share the happiness that we had — the good outcome but then that had a bad side too.”The series revisits Steven’s abduction in 1972, his daring escape with another kidnapping victim, and his struggles under an intense media glare after he returned home.