Is 'The Thing About Pam' Based on a True Story? The Origins of the NBC Series Explained

The Thing About Pam follows a murder case that's so shocking it seems unbelievable.

NBC's new drama stars Renée Zellweger in the role of Pamela (Pam) Hupp, a woman who becomes the center of a case as its star witness.

But what are the origins of the show and is it a true story? Here, Newsweek examines everything you need to know.

Is The Thing About Pam Based on a True Story?

The Thing About Pam is indeed based on a true story as it follows the 2011 murder of Betsy Faria (played by Katy Mixon), who was stabbed to death 55 times in her home in Troy, Missouri, on December 27.

Four days prior to her death, Betsy, who had terminal cancer, changed the beneficiary of her $150,000 life insurance policy from her husband to Pam.

Betsy's husband Russ (played by Glenn Fleshler) found his wife at their home after a game night with friends, and upon discovering her Russ made a 911 call in which he said he thought she had killed herself.

This call became key evidence used against Russ in the case, as police and former Lincoln County Prosecutor Leah Askey (Judy Greer) argued that Russ had killed his wife in an act of domestic violence.

Their case was backed by testimony from Pam, who was the last person to see Betsy alive, and accused Russ of being abusive towards his wife, and another witness said Pam had told her how Russ had once threatened to smother her with a pillow.

Pam's claims made her the star witness in the case, even though there was no evidence pointing towards Russ being the killer. He had an alibi, having a time-stamped receipt for a visit to Arby's close to the time of the murder, and police found no evidence of blood on him.

However, police and Prosecutor Leah were unwilling to look past Russ as a suspect, and he was charged with her murder in 2012. In November 2013 he was found guilty by a jury and sentenced to life in prison.

Russ' conviction was overturned in November 2015.

Pam was also charged for the August 2016 murder of Louis Gumpenberger, for which she entered an Alford plea in July 2019 in order to avoid a death penalty trial.

Her decision to enter an Alford plea meant she admitted prosecutors had enough evidence to convict her of the crime without admitting guilt.

At the time of her conviction the Betsy Faria case was re-opened and on July 2021 Pam was charged with first-degree murder. The case remains ongoing. Pam has repeatedly denied having any involvement in the 2011 murder.

The Thing about Pam premieres on NBC at 10 p.m. EST on Tuesday, March 8.