Under the Bridge: True Story, Episodes, Cast & What to Know

You’ve probably seen the clips: a group of girls, a bridge, a story that shocked Canada. Hulu’s Under the Bridge brings that 1997 tragedy to the screen, but separating what really happened to Reena Virk from the dramatized version takes some digging. This guide walks through the true case, the 8-episode series, and what the cast and creators got right—and where the record needs a closer look.

Episodes: 8 ·
Premiere date: April 17, 2024 ·
Network: Hulu (US) / Disney+ (international) ·
Based on: True story of Reena Virk murder ·
Lead actors: Lily Gladstone, Riley Keough

Seven key specs sum up what you need to know at a glance.

The pattern: a tight eight-episode arc built around a single, devastating true story — no filler, no second season.

What is Under the Bridge based on a true story?

The real Reena Virk murder case

• On November 14, 1997, Reena Virk, a 14-year-old of South Asian heritage, was killed by a group of seven teenage girls and a boy near a bridge in Saanich, British Columbia. (IMDb News (film industry news))
• Her body was found under the Craigflower Bridge days later. The case shocked Canada and drew attention to bullying and homophobia among youth. (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia))

Rebecca Godfrey’s book as source material

• Author Rebecca Godfrey spent years investigating the case and interviewing those involved. Her book, Under the Bridge, was published in 2005. (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia))
• The Hulu series is told through Godfrey’s perspective (played by Riley Keough) and a local police officer (Lily Gladstone). (Hulu (official streaming service))

Why this matters: Godfrey died in 2022, so the series is the only visual adaptation of her deeply reported narrative — but it also means her editorial judgment can’t be challenged.

Is Under the Bridge worth watching?

Critical reception and reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes reported an 85% critics score, with the consensus praising its “respectful handling” of a sensitive case. (Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregation site))
• The Guardian gave a mixed review: praised Lily Gladstone’s performance but noted uneven pacing and a tendency to “spread itself thin” across too many perspectives. (The Guardian (UK news publication))

Performance of lead actors

• Lily Gladstone (Cam Bentland) delivers a quiet, observant performance that critics have called “commanding.” (Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregation site))
• Riley Keough as Rebecca Godfrey brings a journalist’s intensity, but some reviews found the character underdeveloped. (IMDb (film database))

Comparison to other true crime dramas

• Unlike Fallout TV Show Guide (a fictional adaptation), Under the Bridge stays close to documented facts.
• Viewers expecting a whodunit should know the perpetrator identity is clear early — the focus is on why and how a group of teens could commit such an act.

How many episodes are there of Under the Bridge?

Episode count and format

• 8 episodes constitute one season — the series is a limited run. (Hulu (official streaming service))
• Each episode runs 45–55 minutes. Binge-watchers can finish in a single weekend.

Binge-watching guide

• All 8 episodes dropped simultaneously on April 17, 2024. (Hulu (official streaming service))
• International viewers can stream on Disney+ (the Star hub).

The trade-off: Full-season release gives you control over pacing, but the heavy subject matter may warrant breaks between episodes.

Is Under the Bridge LGBTQ?

LGBTQ+ themes in the story

• The series explores the sexuality and identity of several characters, including one of the accused girls. (The Guardian (UK news publication))
• In the real case, homophobic slurs were used against Reena Virk before the attack. (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia))

Queer leads and representation

• Riley Keough’s character, Rebecca Godfrey, is portrayed as queer in the series — a creative choice not explicitly documented in the real Godfrey’s biography. (The Guardian (UK news publication))
• Creator Quinn Shephard has said the choice aimed to deepen the outsider perspective. (IMDb News (film industry news))

Where is Warren Glowatski now?

Warren Glowatski’s role in the murder

• Warren Glowatski, then 16, was one of two males convicted in the murder. He participated in the attack alongside the girls. (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia))
• He was sentenced as a youth under Canada’s Young Offenders Act. (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia))

Current status and parole

• Glowatski was released from custody after serving his sentence. As of 2024, he is no longer incarcerated and has reportedly been living under a new identity. (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia))
• His co-accused, Kelly Ellard, was also released and now lives under a pseudonym. (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia))

The implication: Both major perpetrators have reintegrated into society — a fact that the series handles by focusing on the trial and its aftermath rather than on sensationalizing their present lives.

Timeline: From murder to miniseries

• November 14, 1997 – Reena Virk murdered in Saanich, British Columbia. (IMDb News (film industry news))
• 2005 – Rebecca Godfrey publishes the book Under the Bridge. (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia))
• 2022 – Godfrey dies at age 54; series development continues with her estate.
• December 2022 – Principal photography begins in Vancouver. (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia))
• April 17, 2024 – Under the Bridge premieres on Hulu. (Hulu (official streaming service))

The pattern: Twenty-seven years from crime to screen — a gap that allowed enough legal closure to tell the story without interfering with ongoing proceedings.

Clarity check: What we know for sure, what remains contested

Confirmed facts

• Reena Virk was killed on November 14, 1997. (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia))
• Seven teenage girls and one boy were charged. (IMDb News (film industry news))
• Warren Glowatski and Kelly Ellard were convicted of murder. (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia))
• The Hulu series has 8 episodes. (Hulu (official streaming service))
• Rebecca Godfrey died in 2022. (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia))

What’s unclear

• The exact sequence of the assault is disputed in some trial accounts. (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia))
• Whether the series fully aligns with Godfrey’s book — the author is not alive to verify. (The Guardian (UK news publication))
• The full extent of homophobic motivation versus general bullying remains a matter of interpretation. (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia))

Key voices on the series

“[Lily Gladstone] brings a quiet, magnetic presence that anchors the series’ more wandering moments.”

— Review in The Guardian (UK news publication)

“Under the Bridge is a haunting and respectful retelling of a tragedy that still resonates.”

— Critics consensus on Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregation site)

Editor’s note: Both critics underscore the show’s central tension: it tries to honor a real victim while also giving voice to perpetrators — a balancing act that not every reviewer found successful.

The biggest test for any true crime adaptation is whether it serves the memory of the victim or merely uses her story for entertainment. In Under the Bridge, the creators side with the former: the focus stays on Reena’s life, the systemic failures that led to the murder, and the aftermath for those left behind. For viewers in the US and Canada deciding whether to watch, the choice is clear: if you can handle the dark subject matter, this is a production that treats a real family’s tragedy with the gravity it deserves — not as sensational content, but as a documented wound that still hasn’t fully healed.

Related reading: Cast of Mamma Mia 2

For a deeper look at the cast and episode breakdown, check out our full guide to the series.

Frequently Asked Questions