By Brianna Alleva
Nowadays, Netflix is known for its true-crime documentaries about modern events that attract huge audiences and TikTok investigators.
The formula for each documentary seems to be the same or at least similar. Either the event is split into different “episodes” that are about 2 hours long, or it is a single documentary. I find myself preferring the one documentary because the constant intro and ending playing over it take me out of the story.
During the recall of the events, there is a recipe that includes a voiceover or interviews with the main person or the main event, with no explanation, and then, in the next scene, starting from the beginning.
The drama, the suspense, the untold points of view, or even just hearing from the victim or suspect in general, is very, very engaging.
Whatever Netflix decides to sensationalize on screen will be good or average.
So then, why is their newest documentary, Death of a Pastor’s Wife, such a standout for me?
Advertise on Streaming: Death of the Pastor’s Wife
Audience Demographics for CTV Ads (Who is loving Death of the Pastor’s Wife)
- Women 25–54
- Adults 25–64
- True-crime fans
- Faith & church-interested viewers
- Mystery/documentary viewers
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Typical Advertisements (What is currently being seen during Death of the Pastor’s Wife)
- Life insurance & financial services
- Home security
- Mental wellness
- Legal services
- True-crime & entertainment
Suggestions for Advertisements (Who could be seen)
- 🏠 ADT / Ring — “Maybe check the cameras one more time…”
- ☕ Coffee brands — “Because apparently you’re staying up for one more episode.”
- 🧘 Calm / Headspace — “You just watched a murder documentary. Let’s breathe.”
- 🚗 Car insurance — “Your car has seen less drama than this.”
Where to Stream:
- Netflix
The story is about Mica Miller and her then-husband John Paul (JP) Miller. JP was the lead pastor of Solid Rock Church in North Carolina. Mica was originally an underage intern at the church.
They both started an affair that “rocked” the congregation, but they somehow got through it and ended up getting married.
The story is being told by Mica’s family and friends, mainly those who strongly disliked JP and thought he was controlling Mica.
Some of the drama and the events that happened, like him giving a sermon on how it’s your wife’s duty to always want sex and his slew of infidelities, make for a jaw-dropping story.
I think the biggest reason this story stuck with me, though, is because all he did and all Mica endured was for the church, for what they thought was the right way to worship and serve.
They touched upon it a little, but I wish they did more; it was hinted that JP’s father, who was also a pastor, was abusive.
This aspect doesn’t make him less guilty. Still, it does give a unique insight into the workings of religious trauma and misogyny: how the cycle continues and doesn’t stop because it is under the cover of something good.
I feel like Netflix missed an opportunity to really go into the church aspect of everything. After all, it was the reason Mica stayed married so long and was where JP was meeting his long line of women.
Overall, Mica’s story is incredibly tragic, and I am glad it gained the attention it deserves, and the family can feel the world’s support.
Life insurance, home security, and legal services are already running against this one. If your buyers are women 25-54 or adults 25-64 and you want to reach them two episodes deep on Netflix, book a strategy call and we’ll map where your budget fits.
