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Entertainment • TV

The Crowded Room

The Crowded Room is an American psychological thriller miniseries created by Akiva Goldsman.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Crowded Room is an American psychological thriller miniseries created by Akiva Goldsman. It stars Tom Holland and Amanda Seyfried and was inspired by Daniel Keyes’s 1981 nonfiction book The Minds of Billy Milligan. The series premiered on Apple TV+ in June 2023 and follows a man investigated after a 1979 shooting in New York City.

Premise

The series follows Danny Sullivan after his arrest for involvement in a New York City shooting in 1979. His account is revealed through interviews with interrogator Rya Goodwin, gradually uncovering the events that led to the crime.

Development and inspiration

The Crowded Room was created by Akiva Goldsman and is inspired by Daniel Keyes’s nonfiction book The Minds of Billy Milligan. The adaptation uses the book’s broader real-life subject as its source material.

Cast and production

Tom Holland portrays Danny Sullivan, with Amanda Seyfried as Rya Goodwin and Emmy Rossum in a supporting role. Additional cast members include Sasha Lane, Will Chase, Lior Raz, Laila Robins, and Henry Eikenberry.

Release

Apple TV+ premiered the first three episodes on June 9, 2023, followed by weekly releases until the tenth episode on July 28, 2023.

Reception

The series was met with negative critical reviews, with commentary describing it as a mixed or tedious thriller despite its suspenseful premise.

Key facts

  • The series is set in Manhattan in the summer of 1979.
  • Its plot centers on Danny Sullivan, who is arrested after a shooting and questioned about his past.
  • Rya Goodwin investigates Danny’s story through a series of interviews.
  • The show was released on Apple TV+ beginning June 9, 2023.
  • It is a limited series with 10 episodes.
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Canadian context

The series was available to Canadian viewers through Apple TV+, and the French-language title used in Canada appears as Au milieu de la foule in Quebec coverage.[11]

Frequently asked questions

What is The Crowded Room about?
It follows Danny Sullivan, who is arrested after a shooting in 1979 and later tells his story through interviews with investigator Rya Goodwin.
Who created The Crowded Room?
The series was created by Akiva Goldsman.
What is The Crowded Room based on?
It is inspired by Daniel Keyes’s 1981 nonfiction book The Minds of Billy Milligan.
Who stars in The Crowded Room?
The lead cast includes Tom Holland, Amanda Seyfried, and Emmy Rossum.
When did The Crowded Room premiere?
It premiered on Apple TV+ on June 9, 2023.
How many episodes does it have?
The miniseries has 10 episodes.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Crowded_Room
    Supports: Creator, premise, cast, episode count, release dates, and reception
  2. Apple TV+ — https://tv.apple.com/au/show/the-crowded-room/umc.cmc.495pmjg441gg3j70j3x2yufx9
    Supports: Official series description, starring cast, and format
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/the_crowded_room
    Supports: Synopsis, genre, and release date
  4. French Wikipedia — https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Crowded_Room
    Supports: Quebec/French title and episode/run details
  5. The Hollywood Reporter — https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-reviews/the-crowded-room-review-tom-holland-amanda-seyfried-apple-tv-1235505321/
    Supports: Plot framing and critical reception