Is The Girl From Plainville Based On A True Story?
The Hulu original miniseries "The Girl from Plainville" tells a harrowing story of when obsessive impulses meet a perfect storm of the wrong place at the wrong time. Michelle Carter (Elle Fanning) had a disastrous relationship with Conrad Roy III (Colton Ryan) that ultimately ended with him dying by suicide. Carter played a pivotal and unforgiving role in his death as told in the unsettling true-crime series "The Girl from Plainville."
The controversial story of Conrad and Michelle is a dark reflection of our culture's obsession with fame alongside young adults' intense use of the Internet, texting, and social media. The couple met in 2012 and began messaging regularly until his tragic death two years later. As Harper's Bazaar outlined, Roy was discovered in his truck on July 13, 2014, and pronounced dead by carbon monoxide poisoning. Following his death, investigators and authorities found disturbing messages on Carter's phone that eventually led to the upsetting event.
The truth is darker and even stranger than fiction as "The Girl from Plainville" captures the harsh reality of the situation. It dives into Carter's troubling mindset and the devastating fallout for each family after the case. The series explores the young couple's doomed relationship and the detail that landed Carter with a fitting verdict.
If you or anyone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by dialing 988 or by calling 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
The series is unfortunately based on true events
"The Girl From Plainville" cements itself as one of the best breakout TV shows of 2022 by depicting the unimaginable true story of Michelle Carter and Conrad Roy III. Carter, a young middle-class student with an unhealthy interest in pop culture, found herself connected with Roy through mutual struggles with mental health. This made the two feel less alone though they became increasingly co-dependent on each other leading to Carter's unhinged influence.
During their distressing relationship, actress Lea Michele was grappling with her own tragedy. In July 2013, her loving boyfriend Cory Monteith died from an accidental overdose. The two famously co-starred on the hit Fox series "Glee," which paid tribute to Monteith in a tribute episode where Michele received comfort and attention for her devastating loss. As a massive fan of "Glee," Carter was seemingly propelled to achieve the same results with her own heartbreaking story.
This darkened their text exchanges, leading Roy to even liken them to the tragic couple Romeo and Juliet. In one instance that Harper's Bazaar pointed out, Carter sent an alarming message reading, "You better not be bulls****ing me and saying you're gonna do this and then purposely get caught." When Roy eventually attempted the act, Carter sealed her fate by telling him to get back in the deadly vehicle filled with noxious gas. "I f***ing told him to get back in," she admitted on trial, which landed her a guilty verdict for involuntary manslaughter and a sentencing of two and a half years in jail with five of probation.
If you or anyone you know needs help with addiction issues, help is available. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).