Seattle Prep alumna Amanda Knox who graduated in 2005 is once again the focus of international attention with Hulu’s new series “The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox”. The eight-episode docudrama, which Knox helped produce, re-examines the case that made her a household name — and gives her the chance to tell her story in her own way.
In 2007, Knox was a 20-year-old exchange student in Perugia, Italy, when she was accused of murdering her roommate, Meredith Kercher. The case turned into a media firestorm, marked by years of trials, reversals, and speculation. Knox was eventually acquitted, but not before her life was turned upside down. Her story was previously told in the 2016 Netflix documentary “Amanda Knox”, but Hulu’s series takes a different approach: dramatization.
Starring Grace Van Patten as Knox, the show combines scripted scenes with Knox’s own reflections. It covers her interrogation, the court battles, and her return home, while also exploring the pressures of media sensationalism. Knox has praised Van Patten’s performance, saying it allowed her to “finally grieve the person that I was” and even reclaim her “sparkle,” something she felt the case had stolen.
Critics have called the show gripping and emotional, though some note it can feel repetitive for those who already know the story. Still, its impact is undeniable: in its first week, “The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox” shot to No. 2 on Hulu’s streaming chart and trended worldwide.
But for Seattle Prep, the series hits differently — because Knox wasn’t just a headline. She was a classmate, a student, and a familiar face on campus.
Mr. Mack, who formerly taught sophomore Collegio had Knox as a student. He remembers her vividly: “She was always very much herself and true to who she was. Compared to most teenagers, she was incredibly independent and thoughtful.” In class discussions, he said she never blended into the crowd. “When we read books and talked in class, she always had her own point of view, and she was never afraid to express it. She was mature, creative, and always thinking outside the box.”
When news of her arrest first broke, Prep was stunned. “We couldn’t believe it,” Mack said. “She was only about three weeks into her semester abroad. There was just no way someone from Prep — someone like Amanda — would make headlines like that.” Teachers who knew her immediately felt something was off. “It was totally out of character for her, and the press was some of the worst. They twisted the story into this evil, awful American girl narrative.”
Mack recalled how misleading the coverage was, even when facts didn’t support it. “They had already found the actual killer within 24 hours — his DNA was there, he was known to police — but the media still pushed this wild version of events.” The lead prosecutor, Mack said, didn’t help. “He made up this story about satanic rituals involving Amanda and her boyfriend. He was known for writing bizarre crime novels, and it felt like he was using this case to make himself famous.”
As the media frenzy escalated, journalists started showing up at Seattle Prep. “Reporters were coming to the school, looking for reactions and soundbites. They were sent to the president, and Prep decided to go all in on protecting her. They gathered every fact they could, listened to the people who knew her, and only shared what was true.”
The community didn’t stop at statements. Faculty wrote letters to Knox while she was in prison and sent care packages. “She felt very alone,” Mack said, “and it meant a lot to her. She started playing guitar, helped with music ministry there, even taught herself Italian.”
For Seattle Prep, the series is a reminder that Knox’s story isn’t just a global headline — she was in the same classes, clubs, and teams many of us are in, a familiar part of campus life, and someone whose life changed in ways few could imagine. It’s a reminder of how quickly a life can shift from ordinary to extraordinary. From her classrooms at Prep to the world stage, Knox’s journey reminds students that courage and perseverance can define who we are — no matter how ordinary our beginnings may seem.
