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A Friend of the family: Nick Antosca discusses developing Jan Broberg’s story

By Alexandria Ingham

A FRIEND OF THE FAMILY -- “The Gift of Tongues” Episode 103 -- Pictured: (l-r) Anna Paquin as Mary Ann Broberg, Colin Hanks as Bob Broberg (Photo by: Erika Doss/Peacock)
A FRIEND OF THE FAMILY -- “The Gift of Tongues” Episode 103 -- Pictured: (l-r) Anna Paquin as Mary Ann Broberg, Colin Hanks as Bob Broberg (Photo by: Erika Doss/Peacock) /
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Most people have heard of Jan Broberg. Now we get a dramatized version of her story in A Friend of the Family. Nick Antosca talks developing that story in this exclusive interview.

In 1974, 12-year-old Jan Broberg was abducted by a close family friend and neighbor. While she was returned, two years later the same thing happened. You’ll have seen the Netflix documentary Abducted in Plain Sight. If you haven’t, it’s certainly worth the watch.

Now it’s time to delve into a dramatized version of the story. Nick Antosca and Jan Broberg talked to us about the development of A Friend of the Family. Why this version, and why now?

Nick Antosca reached out to Jan Broberg for A Friend of the Family

This wasn’t a series that happened without the Brobergs knowing about it. In our interview, Nick made it clear that the first part was reaching out to Jan and her family. He wanted to do this right. Not only did he want to honor her, but he wanted to show what it was like for her parents during the two times that she was taken.

Nick also talked about what was so compelling about this story. It’s “terrifying” and “maddening,” but he also notes that we’re all human and have vulnerabilities. It’s those vulnerabilities that are on show during the series.

Of course, Jan has had many people reach out to tell her story in the past. What was it about this story itself? Why did Nick’s idea resonate with her? She went into some detail about that, getting emotional in the process.

Jan shared that Nick and others at the very beginning made her and her family feel safe. They flew out to see Jan and her family in her home, making it clear that they wanted to tell the real story and not just rip from the headlines.

While watching it, this did feel more personable than other “based on true story” shows. There is empathy for characters that you wouldn’t have gained in Abducted at Plain Sight, and that’s the power in the series for me.

Take a look at the full interview with Nick Antosca and Jan Broberg about A Friend of the Family:

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The first four episodes of A Friend of the Family drop on Thursday, Oct. 6 on Peacock. The remaining five episodes are released weekly.

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