HBO Max Is Bringing ‘Diabolical: The Epstein Files’ to New Countries This September

Documentaries exploring the Jeffrey Epstein case have garnered substantial international interest this year, as various networks and streaming services strive to unpack one of the most analyzed scandals in recent history. Few have approached the subject with the same depth and access as the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, whose newly established news documentary unit chose this case as its inaugural project.

The documentary, ‘Diabolical: The Epstein Files,’ first debuted on ABC in Australia earlier this year, featuring firsthand interviews with survivors, journalists, and political figures closely linked to the case. Under the guidance of Walkley Award-winning reporter Grace Tobin, the film has quickly gained a reputation for incorporating a diverse array of voices connected to Epstein’s narrative.

Now, its reach is set to expand significantly. As reported by Variety, Warner Bros. Discovery has secured international distribution rights for ‘Diabolical: The Epstein Files’ on HBO Max, with the documentary scheduled to premiere in several new regions starting September 3, including the United Kingdom, Italy, and the Netherlands.

This agreement grants HBO Max exclusive television and SVOD rights in both the UK and Italy, including Italian-speaking Switzerland, as well as exclusive non-standard television and SVOD rights in the Netherlands. Additionally, the platform has obtained exclusive SVOD rights across a broader area that encompasses the CEE territory, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Turkey, Iceland, Cyprus, the Baltics, the CIS, Malta, Israel, and Ukraine.

The film chronicles Epstein’s ascent, the workings of his trafficking network, and his eventual downfall, while also scrutinizing the systemic failures in law enforcement, the judicial system, and other institutions that enabled his abuse to persist for so long. Throughout the documentary, investigators, legal experts, journalists, and individuals associated with the case provide testimonies, offering a comprehensive perspective on how the scandal developed and who was involved.

Warner Bros. Discovery framed this acquisition as part of a larger initiative to deliver impactful, well-researched journalism to global audiences. Myriam Lopez-Otazu, senior VP of international unscripted content and global networks EMEA at Warner Bros. Discovery EMEA, stated that the documentary presents a timely examination of a case that captured international headlines and transformed public perceptions of power and influence, according to Variety.

The film’s Australian origins also clarify why it distinguishes itself among the increasing number of Epstein-related projects emerging on streaming platforms this year. Instead of relying solely on archival footage or secondhand reporting, ‘Diabolical’ emphasizes original interviews conducted specifically for the documentary, providing international viewers with insights that may not have been widely circulated outside Australia.

With HBO Max now set to introduce the documentary to a broad audience across Europe and beyond, the film’s reach is poised to extend well beyond its initial domestic viewership just months after its premiere. Given the ongoing global interest in thoroughly investigated true crime content related to major public scandals, the timing of this rollout indicates that Warner Bros. Discovery recognizes a genuine demand for this material in these new markets.

This also represents a significant endorsement of the ABC’s newly established documentary unit, whose first major project has now secured a place on one of the world’s most widely distributed streaming platforms shortly after its debut. For a division still carving out its identity, achieving this kind of international distribution deal marks a notable early achievement.

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