Plot Synopsis

Based on the true-crime podcast of the same name from "Los Angeles Times" reporter Christopher Goffard, DIRTY JOHN is an anthology series, with each season focusing on a different story.

The eight-episode first season tells the cautionary tale of how a whirlwind romance between Debra Newell and the charismatic con-man John Meehan spiraled into a frightening web of deception, denial and mental terror that nearly tore a family apart. Debra has a seemingly perfect life: she's successful, beautiful and lives in one of California's most desirable coastal cities, Newport Beach. The only thing missing is love. So when she finally meets charming and handsome doctor John, she's quickly swept into a whirlwind romance, much to the dismay of her daughters Terra and Veronica. Their fast-tracked relationship creates tension between Debra and the girls, leaving them no choice but to investigate the stranger who has swept their mother off her feet. And with a fraught family history, the backstory of Debra and her mother Arlane provides insight into why she may have been so vulnerable to John in the first place. As Debra gets drawn deeper into his lies and sinister game of psychological manipulation, it results in horrific consequences for an entire family.

Season 2 of DIRTY JOHN premieres on Tuesday, June 2, 2020 from 9-11pm ET/PT on USA Network, with back-to-back episodes. Subsequent episodes of the eight-part season will air Tuesdays at 10pm ET. In its second season, DIRTY JOHN focuses on scorned lovers, Betty and Dan Broderick, as their marriage turned into what Oprah deemed one of "America's messiest divorces" even before it ended in double homicide. Betty Broderick was the perfect Southern California blonde wife and mother. Married to her handsome college boyfriend Dan, Betty charms everyone she meets. After years of sacrifice and suffering while supporting Dan through both medical and law school until he exploded into the San Diego legal community as a superstar, Betty is finally enjoying the fruits of their labors. That is, until Dan hires Linda, a bright, beautiful young woman without baggage with whom he can happily forget the struggles of his past. Betty's attempts to fight back and enraged refusals to accept reality only serve to isolate and destabilize her until she loses her very identity. And Dan's cold confidence blinds him to the bear he has created, and won't stop poking ... until it's too late.
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On Tuesday, July 14, 2020 at 10pm ET/PT, USA Network premiered "Perception Is Reality," the Season 2 finale of DIRTY JOHN. Empathy from strangers allows Betty to avoid facing what she's done -- until she can't any more.