Making a Murderer is an American web television series that first streamed on Netflix on December 18, 2015. The first season recounts the story of Steven Avery, a man who was imprisoned for the sexual assault and attempted murder of Penny Beerntsen, and who was later exonerated, only to be subsequently accused and convicted of the murder of Teresa Halbach. The series was filmed over the course of ten years, with the creators moving back and forth from New York to Wisconsin during filming. The first episode was released on YouTube the same day the first season was released on Netflix to promote the series, something Netflix had not previously done for any other original programming.
The series garnered positive comparisons to the HBO series The Jinx and the podcast Serial. Making a Murderer also generated controversy in Manitowoc County, where the documentary is set.