The Case Against Adnan Syed (HBO)

About The Case Against Adnan Syed (HBO)

The Case Against Adnan Syed is a chilling and contentious HBO docu-series that reexamines the 1999 murder case of Hae Min Lee, for which her ex-boyfriend, Adnan Syed, was convicted. The series explores the initial investigation, trial, and subsequent efforts to prove Syed's possible innocence. The case was also extensively covered in the acclaimed podcast, Serial's first season. This four-part series was directed by Amy Berg and premiered on HBO in March, 2019.

Making / Production

Production of The Case Against Adnan Syed was a challenging task that took three years to complete. Amy Berg, known for her investigative documentaries, directed this series. The series not only revisits the murder case but also provides exclusive access to Syed, the defense team, the Syed family, friends and teachers of Hae Min Lee, and private investigators.

Actors

• Adnan Syed: The main character of the series, he is not an actor but the real-life person who was convicted for the murder of Hae Min Lee. His audio clips from phone calls serve as his narrative throughout the series.
• Rabia Chaudry: A close family friend of the Syeds, she has been a huge advocate for Adnan's innocence. She is also one of the key figures who brought Adnan's case into the public eye through the Serial Podcast.
• Asia Chapman: As Asia McClain at the time of the original trial, Asia provides crucial alibi evidence for Adnan. Her interviews and confessions contribute significantly to the series.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The series was created in response to the phenomenal success and raised questions of the Serial podcast.
• Amy Berg, famous for delivering hard-hitting crime documentaries, was the driving force behind the series.
• The series contains exclusive audiotapes of Adnan Syed from prison.
• The series does not proclaim Adnan's innocence or guilt, but rather exposes the inconsistencies and potential issues within the original investigation and trial.

Quotes

• "It's the only case in the world that I've ever seen where a defense attorney was ineffective and it's recognized, but it doesn't matter." - Justin Brown, defense attorney for Adnan Syed.
• "Why do I fight so hard for him? It's not just because he's innocent. It's because I love him like a brother." - Rabia Chaudry.
• "It was never 'if' Adnan comes home, it's 'when' Adnan comes home." - Shamim Rahman, Adnan's mother.

Music, Soundtrack

• The background music and the theme songs in 'The Case Against Adnan Syed' were carefully chosen to deliver the right emotion.
• Renowned musician Nick Cave and Warren Ellis composed the moving and somber score for the series.