Dateline’s ‘Simply Diabolical’ Tonight: Watch Michelle Hadley Case Free
Dateline’s "Simply Diabolical": The Michelle Hadley Case Explained & How to Watch for Free
What’s Happening Tonight?
NBC’s Dateline is airing a special episode called "Simply Diabolical" on Friday, August 21 at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT. This one-hour report tells the shocking true story of Michelle Hadley, a California woman who spent nearly three months in jail for a crime she didn’t commit.
Quick Watch Guide
- Show: Dateline: "Simply Diabolical"
- Date: Friday, August 21
- Time: 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT
- Channel: NBC
- Reporter: Dennis Murphy (veteran Dateline correspondent)
The Story in Simple Terms
Imagine this: You’re going about your life when suddenly police arrest you for sending terrifying online threats to people connected to your ex-fiancé. You didn’t do it, but the evidence looks like you did. You spend almost 90 days in jail before investigators finally discover the truth — someone else set you up using sophisticated digital trickery.
That’s exactly what happened to Michelle Hadley.
Key Points About the Case
- Who: Michelle Hadley, a young woman from California
- What: Accused of a "campaign of online threats and harassment" against people linked to her former fiancé
- Initial Outcome: Jailed for nearly 3 months
- The Twist: New evidence proved the case against her was built on falsehoods
- Final Result: Prosecutors dropped charges against her; others were convicted for framing her
- Recent Buzz: Netflix’s documentary "A Toxic Love Story" brought renewed attention to this case
How to Watch for FREE (No Cable Needed!)
You don’t need cable to watch this episode live. Here are your best free options:
Option 1: DIRECTV Stream — 5-Day Free Trial
- Includes NBC in most markets
- Watch live tonight at 10 p.m. ET
- Cancel before 5 days = $0 cost
Option 2: Fubo — Up to 5-Day Free Trial
- Also carries local NBC stations
- Same live access
- Great for sports fans too
Option 3: Peacock — Watch Tomorrow (Next-Day Streaming)
- Episode available the day after it airs
- Free trial available through DIRECTV’s Movie Extras add-on (2 months free!)
- Or bundle with Apple TV+ for $14.99/month (30%+ savings vs. separate subs)
Important: All free trials are for new customers only. Set a calendar reminder to cancel if you don’t want to continue!
Step-by-Step: How to Watch Tonight
- Choose a service — DIRECTV or Fubo (both have 5-day trials)
- Click the link for your chosen service
- Sign up with your email and payment info (you won’t be charged during trial)
- Find NBC in the channel guide
- Tune in at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT
- Enjoy the episode!
- Mark your calendar to cancel before trial ends if you don’t want to keep it
Why This Case Matters
This isn’t just another true-crime story. It highlights:
- How digital evidence can be faked — and how hard it is to prove innocence
- The justice system’s vulnerabilities when technology outpaces investigation methods
- The persistence of investigators who eventually uncovered the truth
- Real-world consequences of cyber-revenge and online harassment
The case took years to fully unravel, involving federal investigators who expanded the probe and uncovered a complex web of deception.
Summary
| What | When | Where | Free Options |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dateline: "Simply Diabolical" | Friday, Aug 21 • 10p ET/7p PT | NBC | DIRECTV (5-day trial) • Fubo (5-day trial) |
| Next-day streaming | Saturday, Aug 22 | Peacock | 2-month free trial via DIRECTV Movie Extras |
Bottom line: A woman was wrongly jailed for months. The truth came out. Dateline tells the full story tonight. You can watch completely free with a streaming trial.
FAQ
Is this a new episode or a rerun?
This appears to be a new/rebroadcast of a Dateline episode focusing on the Michelle Hadley case, airing in its regular Friday 10 p.m. slot.
Do I need to pay for Peacock to watch it tomorrow?
Peacock has a free tier, but next-day access to current NBC shows usually requires Premium ($7.99/mo). However, you can get 2 months free through DIRECTV’s Movie Extras add-on during their trial.
What if I miss the live airing?
- DIRECTV/Fubo: Both have cloud DVR (included in trials) — record it!
- Peacock: Available next day (Aug 22)
- NBC app/website: Sometimes offers free episodes with TV provider login
Is the Netflix documentary "A Toxic Love Story" the same as this Dateline episode?
No. The Netflix doc came out recently and sparked renewed interest. Dateline’s episode is a separate, original investigation by NBC’s team with correspondent Dennis Murphy reporting from Southern California.
Will this be available on Hulu or other services later?
Dateline episodes typically land on Peacock (NBC’s streaming home) and sometimes Hulu later. But for free, timely access, the trials above are your best bet.
Pro Tip: Sign up for both DIRECTV and Fubo trials (use different emails) to give yourself 10+ days of free live TV access — perfect for catching other shows too!