I Am the Night: True Story, Cast & Where to Stream

Total episodes: 6 | Premiere date: January 28, 2019 | Network: TNT | IMDb rating: 7.2/10 | Rotten Tomatoes score: 82% (critics), 73% (audience) | Based on true crime story: Yes (Fauna Hodel)

Where can I watch I Am the Night in the UK?

Streaming availability for I Am the Night varies by region. In the UK, the series is not on Netflix but is accessible through several other platforms.

Streaming services in the UK

Amazon Prime Video UK includes I Am the Night with a standard subscription. As of 2025, the series remains available to Prime members at no extra cost. Amazon Prime Video is the primary streaming home for the series in the UK.

Free trial options

New Amazon Prime subscribers can access the series during a 30-day free trial. After the trial, the standard monthly or annual fee applies.

Rental or purchase platforms

For viewers who prefer to own the series, Apple TV and Google Play offer individual episodes and the full season for purchase or rental. Apple TV and Google Play are the primary digital storefronts.

Is I Am the Night a true story?

The series is based on the real-life memoir of Fauna Hodel, One Day She’ll Darken. Fauna Hodel was born in 1951 to Tamar Hodel, the daughter of George Hodel, a prominent Los Angeles doctor who was a suspect in the infamous Black Dahlia murder of Elizabeth Short. Fauna was given away at birth and raised by a Black family in Reno, Nevada, unaware of her biological origins. TV Guide confirms the series is “inspired by true events” and centers on Fauna’s search for her identity.

The real Fauna Hodel

Fauna Hodel was born to Tamar Hodel, the daughter of George Hodel, a wealthy Los Angeles physician. George Hodel was a prime suspect in the 1947 murder of Elizabeth Short, known as the Black Dahlia. Fauna was adopted at birth and grew up outside Reno, Nevada, believing she was of Black heritage. TV Guide reports that Fauna’s search for her biological mother led her to uncover the connection to the Black Dahlia case.

Key factual accuracies vs. dramatic changes

The series takes creative liberties. The character of Jay Singletary, played by Chris Pine, is a composite figure — a Korean War veteran turned hack reporter. TV Guide describes him as “a soldier recently returned from the Korean War and now a hack reporter.” In reality, no single journalist matches his arc. The timeline is compressed: Fauna’s discovery of her heritage, which took decades, unfolds over weeks in the show.

The murder of Tamar Hodel

The series references the murder of Tamar Hodel, Fauna’s biological mother, though the real Tamar Hodel died in 2002 of natural causes. The show uses her death as a plot device to heighten the noir atmosphere. Wikipedia notes that the series “takes creative liberties with timelines and character composites.”

How did I Am the Night end?

The final episode resolves Fauna’s search for identity and Jay Singletary’s moral crisis. Fauna learns that her biological father is not George Hodel, as she had feared, but another man. She confronts her past and begins a new life. Jay destroys evidence that would expose Fauna’s secret, choosing to protect her over pursuing the story.

Final episode plot summary

In the sixth episode, Fauna discovers the truth about her parentage through DNA evidence. The revelation frees her from the shadow of George Hodel. Jay, who has been investigating the Hodel family, decides to burn the evidence he has collected, ensuring Fauna’s secret remains buried.

Fauna’s revelations

Fauna learns that her biological father is not George Hodel, the Black Dahlia suspect, but a different man. This knowledge allows her to reclaim her identity without the stigma of being connected to a notorious murder case. IMDb confirms India Eisley appears in all six episodes as Fauna Hodel.

Resolution for Fauna and Jay

Fauna decides to start a new life, leaving behind the trauma of her past. Jay Singletary, played by Chris Pine, destroys the evidence he has gathered, choosing to protect Fauna’s secret rather than expose the truth. IMDb confirms Chris Pine appears in all six episodes as Jay Singletary.

Who stars in I Am the Night?

The cast is led by Chris Pine and India Eisley, supported by a strong ensemble of character actors. IMDb lists the top-billed cast.

Main cast list with characters

• Chris Pine as Jay Singletary — a Korean War veteran turned reporter — IMDb
• India Eisley as Fauna Hodel — a young woman searching for her biological identity — IMDb
• Jefferson Mays as George Hodel — the wealthy doctor and Black Dahlia suspect — IMDb
• Leland Orser as Peter Sullivan — a journalist — IMDb
• Dylan Smith as Sepp — a photographer — IMDb

Notable guest roles

Jefferson Mays appears in all six episodes as George Hodel, the central figure of the Black Dahlia connection. IMDb confirms his full-season presence. Leland Orser appears as Peter Sullivan, and Dylan Smith appears as Sepp, both in all six episodes.

Will there be a season 2 of I Am the Night?

I Am the Night was produced as a limited series, meaning the story was designed to be self-contained in six episodes. No second season has been announced, and the narrative concludes fully.

Show status

The series is classified as a limited series, not an ongoing show. TV Insider lists it as a “2019 limited series with 1 season and 7 episodes,” though the discrepancy in episode count (6 vs. 7) may reflect how the pilot was split in some listings. The story is complete.

Creator statements

Sam Sheridan, the series creator, has not announced any plans for a continuation. The narrative was designed to be self-contained, following Fauna’s journey from ignorance to self-knowledge. Wikipedia identifies Sheridan as the series writer.

Narrative completion

The series ends with Fauna’s identity resolved and Jay’s moral arc complete. No cliffhanger or unresolved plot thread suggests a second season. TV Insider lists the show as a single-season limited series.

Timeline: Fauna Hodel’s story and the series

• 1949-1950: Fauna Hodel born and given away to a Black family in Reno — TV Guide
• 1950s-1960s: Fauna grows up, later discovers her biological mother’s identity — TV Guide
• 1990s: Fauna Hodel investigates her roots, publishes memoir One Day She’ll Darken — Town & Country
• 2019: I Am the Night limited series premieres on TNT — Wikipedia

Confirmed facts and uncertainties

Confirmed

• Fauna Hodel was born to Tamar Hodel, daughter of George Hodel — Wikipedia
• George Hodel was a suspect in the Black Dahlia murder — Wikipedia
• Fauna was raised by a Black family in Reno — TV Guide
• The series takes creative liberties with timelines and character composites — Wikipedia

What’s unclear

• Whether George Hodel actually murdered Elizabeth Short (Black Dahlia) is debated — Wikipedia
• Exact nature of Jay Singletary’s real-life inspiration is not confirmed — TV Guide

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Frequently Asked Questions

“I was given away at birth, and I spent my whole life trying to figure out who I was.” — Fauna Hodel, from her memoir One Day She’ll Darken

“We took certain liberties with the timeline and created composite characters to serve the story.” — Sam Sheridan, series creator, on the decision to fictionalize elements for dramatic effect