Netflix will launch a six-part unscripted series inspired by the controversial Stanford Prison Experiment, revisiting one of psychology's most debated studies more than five decades after it was halted over ethical concerns, reports Variety.
The series, titled The New Stanford Prison Experiment, is scheduled to premiere on 21 October and will consist of six 45-minute episodes. Produced by Alfred Street Industries, the programme will place 30 volunteers in a real prison setting, where they will be randomly assigned the roles of guards or prisoners.
According to Netflix, the series will explore how participants respond to systems of power, hierarchy and control, and whether individual morality and empathy can withstand the pressures associated with those roles.
Executive producer Jane Lipsitz said the project sought to revisit questions raised by the original experiment despite its controversial legacy.
“The Stanford Prison Experiment has always fascinated me,” Lipsitz said.
“Despite its serious ethical flaws, it asked a fundamental question that feels even more relevant today: how does power affect ethical choices? Getting the opportunity to reimagine this social experiment was one of the most intense, exhilarating – and definitely nail-biting – experiences we’ve ever had. Netflix has always been an incredible supporter of ambitious projects that take risks, push boundaries and tell challenging stories, so we were incredibly grateful to have them as our partners on this one.”
The original Stanford Prison Experiment was conducted in 1971 at Stanford University under the direction of psychology professor Philip Zimbardo. The study was intended to run for two weeks but was terminated after less than a week following reports of abusive behaviour by participants assigned the role of prison guards.
The experiment subsequently became one of the most widely discussed studies in psychology and contributed to stricter ethical standards governing research involving human subjects.
The study has since been the subject of numerous books, documentaries and screen adaptations, including the 2015 film The Stanford Prison Experiment, which starred Billy Crudup as Zimbardo.
Source: Variety
