EPISODE 4
WEDNESDAY 26 NOVEMBER 8.30 PM
From fingerprinting to the advent of DNA profiling, the panel explores forensic science’s impact on criminal justice, while assessing the “CSI Effect” and its unrealistic portrayal of forensic capabilities.
The infamous Lindy Chamberlain case takes centre stage, highlighting how flawed evidence led to a miscarriage of justice. Lou Wall discusses the transformative power of DNA in solving cold cases and the panel looks at the potential of microbiome analysis. While invaluable, forensic science isn’t always fast, flawless or foolproof.
EPISODE 5
WEDNESDAY 3 DECEMBER 8.30 PM
Host Julia Zemiro and expert criminologists Prof. Danielle Reynald and Dr. David Bartlett are joined by Claire Hooper and Nick Cody to explore the power of conformity and its role in crime.
Ultimately the episode reveals that being hardwired to fit in can lead to serious crime and how being the lone voice in the crowd is very important.
I’ve watched the first two episodes now and still don’t understand what this show is about. Can someone dumb it down for me please?
I tried to give it a go this week because I heard the show was different to what I thought it was about. It seemed to jump all over the place and I couldn’t figure out what they were trying to achieve. I gave up after about five minutes.
So it’s not just me. I just don’t “get it”.
I ended up watching the whole thing last week. They pick a topic and talk about it and that’s about it. Its ok but it took me a few episodes to get into it. Some episodes are better than others. Personally, I Thought the last half of the episodes was better.
Guests for tonight’s episode are Alexei Toliopoulos and Lizzy Hoo.
EPISODE 6 FINAL
WEDNESDAY 10 DECEMBER 8.30PM
In the season finale, host Julia Zemiro, alongside criminologists Professor Danielle Reynald and Dr. David Bartlett, and comedians Susie Youssef and Ryan Shelton, dissect the intricacies of alibis.
They explore physical versus witness alibis, how police investigate them, and the difficulty of establishing a “rock solid” defence.
Back on the case: Crime Night! returns for season 2
The ABC is thrilled to announce Crime Night! has been commissioned for a second season, with award-winning host Julia Zemiro returning alongside resident criminologists Professor Danielle Reynald and Dr David Bartlett.
Blending expert insight with wit, the new season will once again bring together some of Australia’s sharpest comedians and commentators to dive into the cases, stories and criminal behaviour that grip our attention.
Season 2 will delve deeper into the stories making headlines and dominating group chats – from DIY internet sleuths and the art of criminal profiling, to the shocking truth behind false confessions – exploring not only what happens in crimes, but why we’re all so fascinated with them.
Click here to join the Crime Night! studio audience at ABC Southbank, Melbourne.
Crime Night! season 2 will air on the ABC later in 2026.Stream season 1 on ABC iview now.
Production credit: Commissioned by the ABC. Produced by Dreamchaser and Maverick Entertainment in association with the ABC. Maverick Executive Producers: David Forster, Frank Bruzzese and Julia Zemiro. Dreamchaser Executive Producer: Billy Russell. ABC Executive Producer: Michiko Smith. ABC Head of Entertainment: Rachel Millar. World distribution rights managed by ABC Commercial.
According to Eventbrite website, season 2 will be recorded on July 15, 17, 22, 24 and 30, as well as August 1 which is a Saturday. So there will be at least six episodes.
Surprised it got a second season.
Crime Night! returns this September on ABC
The ABC is thrilled to announce that Crime Night!, the hit program where criminologists and comedians unpack the science and psychology behind crimes, returns for an all-new season on Wednesday 30 September at 9pm on ABC TV and ABC iview.
Host Julia Zemiro returns alongside expert criminologists Professor Danielle Reynald and Dr David Bartlett, plus a rotating panel of Australia’s best comedians. This season features Rhys Nicholson, Zoë Coombs Marr, Claire Hooper, Dave Thornton, Jessie Stephens, Scout Boxall, Alex Lee, Ryan Shelton, Susie Youssef, Alexei Toliopoulos and Alex Ward.
Across six episodes, the panel will dive into different areas of crime and criminology – from false confessions and romance scams, to citizen sleuths, cults and criminal profiling. Comedian Lou Wall is back with their clever analysis on the theories that shape modern criminology.
Blending real-life cases, guest interviews and entertaining social experiments, Crime Night! explores why we’re so captivated by crime.
Production credit: Commissioned by the ABC. Produced by Dreamchaser and Maverick Entertainment in association with the ABC. Maverick Executive Producers: David Forster, Frank Bruzzese and Julia Zemiro. Dreamchaser Executive Producer: Billy Russell. ABC Executive Producer: Michiko Smith. ABC Head of Entertainment: Rachel Millar. World distribution rights managed by ABC Commercial.
Hell yes, this was really good. I still need to finish the first season but so far, I really love it.
Better give it two more seasons juuust in case!
Julia Zemiro chats to Benjamin Law in this week’s issue of Good Weekend, inside The Age and SMH today (paywall)
Julia appears at Brisbane Festival on September 12 as part of RocKwiz Rocks Brisbane. Tickets are on sale now.
Season 2 Episode 1
WEDNESDAY 30 SEPTEMBER 9.00PM
In this episode of Crime Night!, host Julia Zemiro, criminologists Professor Danielle Reynald and Dr David Bartlett, and comedians Rhys Nicholson and Zoë Coombs Marr explore the unsettling world of false confessions. The panel asks why an innocent person would confess to a crime they didn’t commit, examining the psychological pressures behind false confessions through the cases of the Central Park Five and John Button.
