LOS ANGELES - Chris Hansen, the veteran investigative journalist best known for his decades of work on “To Catch a Predator,” is turning his gaze toward Hollywood’s true-crime obsession. In a new interview tied to his upcoming project “Primetime,” Hansen openly questioned the entertainment industry’s motivations for producing crime content, while also offering a surprising piece of casting advice for the film: Denis Leary.
Hansen, who has built his career on confronting real-world predators rather than fictional ones, expressed skepticism about the current gold rush of true-crime adaptations flooding streaming platforms and cable networks. “There’s a question that doesn’t get asked enough in this town: What’s the actual motive?” Hansen said during the conversation, which previewed his involvement with “Primetime.” He didn’t stop there, suggesting that the industry’s fascination with real-life tragedy too often prioritizes sensationalism over substance, a critique that carries weight given his own history of sitting across from actual offenders.
“Primetime,” still shrouded in mystery regarding its plot, director, and release date, appears to be Hansen’s latest foray into the genre that made him a household name. The only confirmed cast member attached is Denis Leary, the sharp-tongued comedian and actor best known for “Ice Age” and his FX series “Rescue Me.” Hansen, evidently a fan of Leary’s particular brand of gruff authenticity, said he would have made the same choice if he were in charge of casting. “If it were up to me, Denis Leary gets that role every single time,” Hansen remarked. “There’s a certain energy he brings - it’s honest, it’s blunt, and it doesn’t feel like he’s performing for the camera. That’s exactly what this kind of material needs.”
The pairing is intriguing, to say the least. Leary, who has built a career on playing combustible, morally complicated characters, seems a natural fit for a project that Hansen describes as a meditation on how crime is packaged for public consumption. Whether “Primetime” will follow a fictional investigation, a dramatized retelling of a real case, or something entirely different remains unclear. What is clear is that Hansen sees the film as a vehicle for asking uncomfortable questions about the very medium he’s now working within.
That tension - between being a critic of true-crime culture while actively participating in it - wasn’t lost on Hansen. He acknowledged the irony directly, noting that his own shows have contributed to the genre’s popularity. “Look, I’ve been part of this ecosystem for a long time,” he said. “But there’s a difference between documenting something to hold people accountable and turning tragedy into a product with a marketing campaign. My hope is that ‘Primetime’ forces viewers to think about that line.”
He also aimed a pointed critique at the broader Hollywood apparatus, suggesting that studios often greenlight true-crime projects for the wrong reasons. “It’s easy to sell fear,” Hansen said. “Fear gets clicks, fear gets ratings, fear gets butts in seats. But that doesn’t mean every story needs to be told. Some stories deserve more respect than just being used as a backdrop for a trailer.”
Despite his reservations, Hansen’s enthusiasm for “Primetime” appears genuine, particularly when the conversation turns to Leary. The two have reportedly not yet worked together, but Hansen’s admiration is clear. He recalled seeing Leary’s stand-up early in his career and being struck by his refusal to soften his edges for mass appeal. “Denis has never been afraid to be unlikeable on screen,” Hansen noted. “That’s rare. That’s valuable. He brings a texture to tough subjects that most actors can’t fake.”
For his part, Leary’s involvement has sparked considerable curiosity among fans of both men. The actor, who has balanced voice work for family franchises with darker dramatic roles, seems to be in a phase of his career where he’s drawn to projects with a point of view. “Primetime” certainly appears to have one, even if the details remain under wraps.
There’s also a sense that Hansen, now several years removed from his peak network television visibility, is looking for a new platform to carry his message. “Primetime” could be that vehicle, though it’s still uncertain whether it will be a film, a limited series, or something else entirely. Hansen’s language in the interview - referring to it as a single project with a cast - suggests a feature-length production, but no official confirmation has been released.
What’s undeniable is that Hansen is using the announcement to reinsert himself into the cultural conversation, and he’s doing so with the kind of directness that defined his television career. He didn’t mince words when asked what he hopes audiences take away from “Primetime.” “I want them to ask why they’re watching,” he said. “Not just what happens next, but why do we want to see these stories? Why do we get entertainment out of other people’s worst moments? If the film makes you uncomfortable with your own curiosity, then it’s done its job.”
As of now, “Primetime” remains an enigma - no release window, no director attached, no plot synopsis. But with Chris Hansen questioning the genre’s ethics and Denis Leary reportedly on board, it has already become a project worth tracking. For an industry that loves a good mystery, this one is just getting started.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter