OJ Simpson Netflix doc director on case ‘regrets,’ Kris Jenner and more
If the glove fits.
A new Netflix docuseries re-examines the 1994 double-murder of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman, and the bombshell 1995 murder trial from which O.J. Simpson – who died of cancer at age 76 in 2024 – was controversially acquitted.
Called “American Manhunt: OJ Simpson” (premiering Wed. Jan 29), the four episode series features interviews with lawyers from each side such as “dream team” member Carl E. Douglas and co-prosecutor Christopher Darden, cops Tom Lange and Mark Fuhrman who were first on the scene, a juror from the trial, Goldman’s sister Kim, Simpson’s former agent Mike Gilbert, and more.
“30 years later, I think this story is more relevant now than ever before,” director Floyd Russ told The Post.
OJ Simpson trying on the infamous gloves during his 1995 double murder trial. AFP via Getty Images
OJ Simpson and his wife, Nicole Brown at a party at the Harley Davidson Cafe, in New York City in 1993. Getty Images
Director Floyd Russ visits the Canada Goose Director Suite during the 2018 Sundance Film Festival at Park City Marriott on January 18, 2018 in Park City, Utah. Getty Images for Canada Goose
“Just looking at the world and what’s happened in the last six to seven years…things like the MeToo movement, Black Lives Matters and the surge of true crime. We think of OJ as the most epic, iconic, crazy, disastrous, true crime story ever,” Russ continued. “It has themes of domestic violence, themes of race, themes of [police] versus prosecution versus defense, and who controls the narrative. Those are topics that I think people are talking about.”
He added that for “almost everybody that we interviewed, the word ‘regret’ is something that you could talk about for hours.”
Russ said that Ron Goldman’s sister, Kim, was one of the more challenging interviews to get on camera.
“There was a lot of crying on set, and not just me and her, but also parts of the crew,” he recalled.
“Our sound mixer was crying…it’s her job to be quiet, because she’s recording the sound. So there was [irony] to hear her sobbing in the corner. If you lose a loved one, the pain doesn’t go away 30 years later. And for her to live through that on camera with us…I hope the audience understands how special that is.”
O.J. Simpson poses for a portrait circa early 1970’s. Focus on Sport via Getty Images
An undated photo of OJ Simpson wiht Nicole Brown Simpson, as shown in “American Manhunt: OJ Simpson.” Courtesy of Netflix
OJ Simpson’s infamous white Bronco, as shown in “American Manhunt: OJ Simpson.” Courtesy of Netflix
One absence from the doc is Kris Jenner, the Kardashian matriarch who had been friends with the Simpsons — and had been married to Simpson’s lawyer, Robert Kardashian.
“We did reach out to Kris [Jenner]. We talked to her team. There was a lot of back and forth. She said ‘maybe’ for a long time, and then ultimately declined,” Russ explained.
“She has a direct narrative to tell. And I’m sad that she decided not to.”
Although this is one of the first major Simpson documentaries to come out after his death, Russ said that timing is a coincidence.
“He actually died when we were about 75% [done making it]. O.J. was sick, but he told people on social media that he’s fine. So…it’s like, he lied to everybody, all the way to his deathbed.”
OJ Simpson in a mug shot following his arrest in Los Angeles, California, US, 17th June 1994. Getty Images
O.J. Simpson, Nicole Brown Simpson, Jason Simpson, Sydney Brooke Simpson, Justin Ryan Simpson at the premiere of the “Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Isult” on March 16, 1994 in Los Angeles, California. Getty Images
Nicole Brown Simpson and O.J. Simpson during “Ishtar” Premiere in 1987. Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
The first episode of the docuseries does include some graphic photos.
“This was one of the most brutal crimes ever,” Russ explained that choice.
“We showed a few graphic photos, but we also withheld dozens of much more graphic photos. The fact is that this was a crime of passion, and I think that’s relevant. It’s not supposed to be trying to shock the audience or grab people’s attention.”
Marcia Clark is absent from the doc, but her co-prosecutor, Christopher Darden, is interviewed onscreen.
“We approached Marcia Clark a few times… she decided that she didn’t want to be a part of this,” said Russ.
Christopher Darden in “American Manhunt: O.J. Simpson.” Courtesy of Netflix
O.J. Simpson listens to testimony during his double murder trial in Los Angeles, March 16, 1995. AFP/Getty Images
“She said she’s said her piece about O.J. Simpson, and doesn’t want to talk about it anymore,” he explained.
He added that the doc does interview Clark’s co-prosecutor, Christopher Darden, “which I think is new and perhaps more relevant, since he’s the black prosecution lawyer, and was put in a really difficult position. We’re really glad that we got him.”
