Anatomy of Lies: Release date, Trailer, plot, & Everything we know About Grey’s Anatomy Writer Elisabeth Finch’s Doc

Anatomy of Lies is set to deliver one of the most jaw-dropping true stories of the year, and the recently released trailer has already sent shockwaves through fans of Grey’s Anatomy. 

This three-part docuseries uncovers the mind-blowing deception of Elisabeth Finch, a writer whose fabricated personal tragedies inspired some of the show’s most famous episodes. For years, she fooled not only Hollywood but also those closest to her, weaving her lies into the very fabric of the hit medical drama.

The new trailer gives us a peek into the explosive revelations shared by Finch’s inner circle, many of whom speak publicly for the first time. Among them is her ex-wife, Jennifer Beyer, whose painful journey of uncovering Finch’s tangled web of lies forms the emotional core of this series. The story promises to be as gripping as any fictional plotline, exploring how Finch manipulated her way to the top while pulling the wool over everyone’s eyes.

Want to know what shocking details are waiting to be revealed? From unexpected interviews to plot twists you won’t see coming, we’ve got the latest on Anatomy of Lies. And with more details surfacing, we’ll keep you updated with every new development as this story continues to unfold.

Release date & Where to Watch

Anatomy of Lies, rated TV-MA, premieres on Peacock on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024, with all three episodes available to stream on the same day.

Plot

Anatomy of Lies is a three-part docuseries that delves into the rise and fall of former Grey’s Anatomy writer Elisabeth Finch, whose shocking lies became the basis for several episodes of the hit medical drama. The series, inspired by the Vanity Fair article Scene Stealer, features interviews from some of Finch's closest contacts, many speaking for the first time.

Finch, a master manipulator, claimed to have experienced a rare form of cancer, kidney loss, and an abortion while undergoing chemotherapy, all of which were later exposed as fabrications. Her lies earned her success in Hollywood, but her downfall began when trauma survivor Jennifer Beyer uncovered Finch’s deceptions after trusting her with deeply personal secrets. Beyer’s quest to reclaim her narrative from Finch becomes central to the story.

The series highlights Finch’s ultimate resignation from Grey’s Anatomy in 2022 after Disney launched an investigation into her false claims. In December of that year, Finch admitted in an interview with The Ankler that she had never had cancer, calling the lie the "biggest mistake" of her life.

Anatomy of Lies Official Trailer

Peacock has dropped the trailer for a new docuseries that reveals the lies Elisabeth Finch told during her time as a Grey’s Anatomy writer. Featuring interviews from people who knew her, many speaking for the first time, the series uncovers how Finch used fabricated stories of personal tragedies, like shootings and sexual assault, to gain success and an executive producer credit. Those interviewed included a former girlfriend who shared how Finch used her position on the show to boost her status.

What were the lies told by Elisabeth Finch?

Elisabeth Finch's web of lies began in 2014 when she wrote an emotional essay for Elle US, claiming she was diagnosed with chondrosarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer. At the time, she was working on The Vampire Diaries, and the essay caught Shondaland's attention, which led to her being hired for Grey’s Anatomy. Over her time there, Finch’s supposed cancer battle inspired multiple on-screen storylines. She also wrote about surviving a sexual assault, undergoing an abortion due to her cancer treatment, needing a kidney transplant, and losing her brother to suicide, all while chronicling her health struggles for various high-profile publications.

However, these were all fabrications. Finch never had cancer, never underwent a kidney transplant, and her brother was alive and well. Her claim of losing a friend in a mass shooting and being abused by her brother as a child were also lies. The truth unraveled when her estranged wife, Jennifer Beyer, discovered the inconsistencies in her stories, leading to a broader investigation by Disney. When Finch was asked to provide medical records to back up her claims, she resigned from Grey’s Anatomy in 2022.

Ultimately, Finch admitted that she had lied about her medical history, shaving her head and wearing makeup to appear ill. Vanity Fair later exposed the full extent of her deception, and she has since been ostracized from Hollywood. Despite trying to defend her actions in interviews, Finch’s story has been labeled one of the greatest fabrications in recent memory.

Behind the Scenes

Anatomy of Lies is directed and executive produced by Evgenia Peretz (Our Idiot Brother, Juliet, Naked) and David Schisgall (True Life, Very Young Girls). Vanity Fair Studios and Dorothy St. Pictures produce the docuseries.

In addition to Peretz and Schisgall, the executive producers include Vicki Cooper, Melanie Archer, Julia Nottingham, Helen Estabrook, Sarah Amos, Claire Howorth, and Samantha Smith. The series draws from Peretz’s Vanity Fair series on Finch’s time in Hollywood and his relationship with Beyer.