Ruby Franke’s Family Speaks Out in New Hulu Docuseries

The Franke family, once known for their popular YouTube channel ‘8 Passengers,’ will share their story in a new Hulu docuseries titled ‘Devil In The Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke.’ The series, set to premiere on Feb. 27, will feature exclusive interviews with Ruby Franke’s husband Kevin, their children Shari and Chad, and over a thousand hours of unseen footage from their YouTube channel.

Ruby Franke and her business associate Jodi Hildebrandt were sentenced to prison in February 2024 for aggravated child abuse. The docuseries will delve into the family’s life before and after the scandal, including the role Hildebrandt played in their lives. ‘For years, the Frankes’ YouTube channel had documented a wholesome, happy family life, with 2.5 million subscribers tuning in at its peak,’ a press release for the show reads. ‘As the cracks began to show, the family turned to counselor Jodi Hildebrandt for guidance – and rapidly found themselves trapped in a nightmare.’

Shari Franke, the eldest daughter, recently released a memoir titled ‘The House of My Mother: A Daughter’s Quest for Freedom,’ where she detailed the abuse she and her siblings endured. In an interview with ABC’s ‘Good Morning America,’ Shari shared her thoughts on forgiveness. ‘Forgiveness is something I’ve had to study a lot and kind of think about what it means,’ she said. ‘But for me, forgiveness would look like not letting that consume every moment of my life.’

Ruby Franke and Hildebrandt were arrested in August 2023 after one of Franke’s sons was found emaciated with open wounds and bound with duct tape. At her sentencing hearing, Ruby tearfully apologized to her children. ‘I … believed dark was light and right was wrong,’ she said in the courtroom. ‘I would do anything in this world for you. I took from you all that was soft and safe and good.’

Shari Franke has been vocal about the dangers of family vlogging, testifying before the Utah Senate in October 2024. ‘I come today as a victim of family vlogging,’ she told lawmakers. ‘My goal today is not to present any idea of a solution to this problem but to shed light on the ethical and monetary issues that come from being a child influencer.’

The docuseries promises to provide an in-depth look at the Franke family’s rise and fall, offering viewers a chance to hear directly from those who lived through the ordeal. It marks the first time Kevin, Shari, and Chad will share their story in depth on camera.