Copycat Killer, based on a popular crime mystery novel by Japanese writer Miyuki Miyabe, is set in 1990s Taipei and tells the story of Taiwan’s first serial murder case. The Chinese-language crime thriller will be released globally and exclusively on Netflix on March 31.

Taking advantage of the public’s fascination, the media-savvy serial killer turns the case into a national spectacle, fueling gossip and notoriety. A no-nonsense prosecutor, played by award-winning actor Wu Kang-ren, swears to solve the case only to discover that nothing is as it seems. Meanwhile, the killer repeatedly mocks law and justice as he seeks to destroy society’s peace and order.

“Genre series are fascinating because you won’t figure out who the killer is until the very end,” Wu, known for his versatile performances in Light The Night, Shards of Her, and Mom!, explained. Don’t do it. “Each character is linked by hidden threads that unravel throughout the story. Similarly, I follow my character as she explores these threads, gradually forming a lovely web of connections. I’m excited to take viewers on a journey to discover the masterful storytelling behind each thread.”

Other cast members include Alice Ko, Tuo Tsung-hua, Yao Chun-yao, Fandy Fan, Cammy Chiang, and Hsia Teng-Hung, with Ruby Lin making a cameo appearance (producer and leading actress of Light the Night).

The production team spent over three years on preparation, adaptation, filming, and post-production to create a crime and mystery thriller of such complexity. “It’s a pleasure to finally bring what we’ve been working on for so long to the audience,” said co-director Chang Jung-chi, who won Best Director at the Taipei Film Awards for We Are Champions. “Beneath the thriller and detective story lies a story of how humanity struggles between good and evil.”

While most crime stories focus on the specifics of the cases, Copycat Killer takes a broader approach. “We hope to portray more facets of each character, as well as their thoughts and reflections, within an intriguing narrative,” co-director Henri Chang, who received six Golden Bell nominations for Hate the Sin, Love the Sinner, explained. “While the story begins with ‘evil,’ there is much more to think about and take away from the series.”

A co-production between Greener Grass Production and Nan Fang Film Productions, this gripping series is helmed by award-winning producers Hank Tseng and Phil Tang. “Copycat Killer depicts a story of how desires, when out of control, can cause evil to go viral in a city,” said Tseng. “We hope that the confluence and fluidity of good and evil in the series will be able to provide healing to our viewers in this world of madness, where a lot more can be done to help and support each other.”