The series is filmed in
Sydney, Australia and nearby suburbs, the subjects are played by Australian and/or New Zealand actresses. Each episode has a unifying theme such as jealousy, financial gain,
mental illness, or crimes committed by teenagers or the elderly. The titles of the episodes reflect the theme. The stories are told through re-enactments and interviews. Episodes also feature contributors in relevant fields (e.g.
law enforcement, the law, the media,
forensic medicine and medicine).
Diane Fanning,
M. William Phelps,
Gregg Olsen,
Wensley Clarkson, Joan Renner, and Dr.
Janis Amatuzio have made multiple appearances. Occasionally, family or friends of the subject or their victims appear to add context and/or perspective. At the end of each segment, the subject (and those playing her male and female coconspirators, if any) break the
fourth wall and look directly at the camera as their fates are revealed. Beginning in the ninth season, photos of the actual subjects are also shown (usually
mugshots taken following their arrests, or artist renditions of those subjects if they lived like from
paintings before the days of modern
photography). ==Seasons==