Watch A Friend of the Family

A Friend of the Family is a dramatic limited series based on the harrowing true story of the Broberg family, whose daughter Jan was kidnapped multiple times over a period of years by a charismatic, obsessed family "friend." The events originally took place in Idaho in the 1970s.

The series focuses on the Broberg family - parents Bob and Mary Ann and their children Jan, Susan, and Karen. On the surface they seem like the perfect family, active in their church and community. That is until the arrival of Robert Berchtold, a fellow churchgoer and the owner of a local restaurant supply store who insinuates himself into the Brobergs' lives. At first Berchtold seems charming and helpful, but he secretly has an unhealthy obsession with 12-year-old Jan. Through manipulation and lies he convinces the Brobergs to let him spend time alone with Jan, eventually leading to him kidnapping her multiple times.

The show details the lengths Berchtold goes to in order to gain access to Jan, from gaslighting her parents to brainwashing Jan herself. Jan is an earnest, innocent child who initially trusts Berchtold completely as he showers her with attention and declares his love for her. As his obsession grows more disturbing, Jan feels conflicted, still under his power but starting to see cracks in his stories.

Meanwhile her parents Bob and Mary Ann struggle to accept the truth about what is happening right under their noses. As faithful Mormons they want to see the best in Berchtold and take his proclaimed good intentions at face value. But as his deceit unravels they are forced to confront the unimaginable reality about this man they welcomed into their family.

A Friend of the Family examines the themes of denial, grooming, and the suppression of truth in the name of faith and community. The Brobergs' tight-knit religious community wants to maintain appearances at all costs. As the shocking crimes come to light, the family faces judgement from those who don't understand how they were manipulated. But their biggest challenge is reconciling their own guilt over failing to protect their daughter.

With strong performances from an ensemble cast, the limited series dramatizes this harrowing true crime story and the family forever changed by the betrayal of someone they once trusted completely. Their story is one of denial and deceit, but also resilience in the face of unimaginable trauma.

A Friend of the Family is a series that ran for 1 seasons (9 episodes) between October 6, 2022 and on Peacock Premium