rue crime has become hugely popular in the past decade, and people like Zoe Hines are the ones finding the stories that keep us hooked. Zoe is a director and producer at Transistor Films, the team behind Netflix’s hit docuseries I Am a Killer.
In her career of over 12 years, Zoe has spoken to more than 100 inmates for shows like I Am a Killer, I Am a Stalker, and Discovery ID’s Women in Prison. For I Am a Killer, which has been running for five seasons, she’s interviewed 13 people convicted of murder or manslaughter in maximum-security prisons across the U.S.
Each episode gives viewers a look inside the minds of inmates as they share their motives, reflect on their crimes, and reveal how prison has changed them. Zoe’s team interviews each inmate twice, digging deep into their stories and also talking to law enforcement, victims’ families, and others affected by the crime.
Finding Stories That Stand Out
Choosing the right people to feature is no small task. The team avoids cases involving mass murderers or sexual crimes to avoid glorifying them or encouraging copycats. Instead, they focus on inmates with unique or thought-provoking stories.
The process starts with months of letter exchanges before arranging interviews through the prison system. Zoe says, “We’re looking for something interesting—whether it’s the person’s journey, their remorse, or the legal twists in their case.”
For example, in Texas, someone can be convicted of murder even if they were just a bystander. Stories like these showcase the surprising variety of human experiences behind each case.
But the key to being on I Am a Killer is one thing: the inmate must take responsibility for the life they took.
What It’s Like to Interview a Killer
People often ask Zoe what it’s like to talk to murderers and stalkers. Surprisingly, her team is usually focused on logistical details—like getting permission to film and ensuring their gear works—rather than being nervous about meeting the inmates.
Once face-to-face, the conversation becomes intense and personal. “You’re sitting across from someone who admits to doing something horrible and has been judged for it,” Zoe says. “It’s a privilege to dive into the worst moment of their life and understand it.”
Building trust is crucial. Sometimes it takes nearly the whole hour for the inmate to open up. In one case, Zoe waited 50 minutes before the person finally talked about their crime.
The second interview is often more challenging because the team presents what they’ve learned during their research. “We’re not here to catch anyone in a lie,” Zoe explains. “But sometimes, the details we uncover make them question their own story.”
One example is Higinio Gonzalez, who appears in season five. Convicted of killing a store clerk in 1996, Gonzalez initially claimed he didn’t know the gun was loaded. But during his second interview, he admitted he might have known, saying, “I won’t be able to heal unless I face it.”
Moments like these are rare but powerful, showing the complexity of human emotions and memory.
More Than Just Crime Stories
Filming I Am a Killer has taken Zoe to places struggling with poverty and other social issues. These hardships often play a role in the crimes, making the reasons behind them far from simple.
Zoe believes the idea that “everyone who takes a life is a monster” is misleading. “We’re all flawed,” she says. Her goal is to tell these stories respectfully, keeping the well-being of the victims and their families at the heart of everything they do.
Through her work, Zoe Hines gives us a deeper understanding of the people and circumstances behind the headlines, reminding us that every story has layers waiting to be uncovered.
