The high cost of truth: a documentary series faces a litigious church

Wars & Conflicts · Published 9 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: When actress Leah Remini turned her personal history with Scientology into a documentary, she didn't just spark a conversation—she ignited a legal and rhetorical war. The series faced aggressive pushback from the Church, including personal letters to late-night hosts and demands for millions in damages.

Leah Remini joined the Church of Scientology in 1979 at age nine, remaining a follower until 2013. After releasing her 2015 autobiography, 'Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology', she teamed up with Aaron Saidman and Eli Holzman to produce 'Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath'. Debuting on A&E during November 2016, the show highlighted accounts of harassment and abuse provided by high-level leaders and ex-adherents.

The production faced immediate and intense opposition from the Church of Scientology. The organization issued a 530-word statement attacking Remini, established websites to discredit the show, and engaged lawyers to attempt to block the broadcast. The Church even sent a personal letter to late-night host Conan O'Brien seeking to discredit Remini—an occurrence O'Brien noted had never happened in his 24-year career. In response to the Church's actions, Remini demanded $1.5 million in damages for reputational and emotional injuries.

Despite the friction, the show became a ratings success, with the first episode drawing 2.1 million viewers, significantly outperforming the premiere of the documentary film 'Going Clear.' The series faced a complex critical reception: some reviewers found the repetitive nature of the 'horror stories' tedious, while others praised the emotional resonance of Remini's honest anger. To navigate the Church's litigious reputation, the show included on-screen statements and excerpts from Church letters to acknowledge their disputes and refusal to participate.

The series expanded beyond Scientology to include a special investigating the similarities between the Church and Jehovah's Witnesses. It also prompted a 'deluge' of new people coming forward to share their own experiences, leading to a second season. While front groups for the Church labeled the series 'religious hate' and claimed it led to death threats, the show continues to serve as a platform for ex-members seeking a safe space to speak out.

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