Eric recently landed on Netflix and has caused a lot of discussion online due to its sensitive subject matter. The show follows the journey of an optimistic father as he sets out to find the whereabouts of his missing son. With such a harrowing case at the series’ heart, fans have been wondering if Eric depicts a true story.
Here is an explanation of the origins of the limited series and whether or not it draws inspiration from real events.
Is Netflix’s Eric based on a true story?
Netflix’s Eric is not based on a true story. Despite sharing structural similarities with many biographical crime shows, the series is not derived from any particular event.
In an exclusive interview with RadioTimes, Morgan shared the ideology that went into the production of the show. She clarified that the inspiration for Eric came to her from her own experiences in the UK and the US. Hearing stories about missing children and seeing posters of disappeared kids in the 1980s ultimately motivated her to craft this six-parter thriller.
According to Morgan, the storyline showcased in Eric takes bits and pieces from the cases observed by her in her youth and does not focus on any particular incident. Having been an avid fan of cinema in the 1970s-80s, Morgan did her best to paint an appropriate picture of the ’80s. She also managed to portray the problems of that era in a natural light.
Consequently, Morgan has seamlessly blended issues like AIDS, homelessness, and inherent racism into the core narrative. Through the character of Vincent, she has conveyed the problems a common man faces while attempting to lead a peaceful life in a big city like New York.
The showrunners’ commendable job in bringing forth an organic image of the 1980s blurs the lines between reality and fantasy. Yet, it is clear that Netflix’s Eric is not based on a true story.
