We Were Three
From Serial Productions and This American Life producer Nancy Updike: a woman's father and brother die two weeks apart from Covid, and she uncovers what she wasn't told.
Podcasts Like We Were Three
If you loved We Were Three, here are the best podcasts to try next. Matched by case type, storytelling style, and community ratings from our database of Institutional failure, Investigative shows.
Why listeners love We Were Three
A short, devastating Serial Productions series about institutional and family silence during Covid — not a traditional crime story, but a natural fit for listeners of We Were Three's sister shows. Listeners rate its binge factor at 7/10. It follows a serialized format — each season covers one case in depth, building suspense across episodes.
Binge Factor
7/10
Community-rated compulsive listenability
Format
Serialized
One story told across multiple episodes
Style
Personal, reflective, profound
Presentation approach
Episode Length
35-45 min
Typical episode duration
Host Style
Solo narrator
Presentation format
Verdict
Good if you want a short, devastating story about institutional failure rather than a crime in the traditional sense
Our editorial rating
Recommendations
12 podcasts like We Were Three
The Trial of Erin Patterson
The Crime Desk's courtroom coverage of the Erin Patterson 'mushroom murders' trial — one of the biggest cases of the decade.
S-Town
From Serial Productions: a man convinced his Alabama town is covering up a murder pulls host Brian Reed into a story that becomes something else entirely.
The Missing Cryptoqueen
BBC journalist Jamie Bartlett tracks down Dr Ruja Ignatova, who persuaded millions to invest in OneCoin before vanishing without a trace.
Pipeline
The Crime Desk's investigation into four professional divers sucked hundreds of feet into a Caribbean oil pipeline in 2022 — and the failing safety standards that put them there.
Murdaugh Murders Podcast
Journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell broke the Murdaugh family saga before it became a national story, and kept reporting it deeper than anyone else.
Matched with a Predator
BBC Disclosure's investigation into a predator who used dating apps to target and abuse women — the 2026 Best Serialised Podcast winner.
Inside Murder Trial: Girl in the River
Journalist Jane MacSorley and advocate Thomas Ross KC unpack each day of the Caroline Glachan murder trial as it happens, live from BBC Radio Scotland.
We Call Her Emma
Tortoise Investigates and The Observer trace how a high-achieving west London woman ended up at the centre of the Emma Caldwell case.
True Crime South Africa
South Africa's flagship true crime podcast, hosted by award-winning journalist Nicole Engelbrecht — the country's most popular true crime show even against international competition.
Someone's Hunting Us
NJ.com traces how serial killer Khalil Wheeler-Weaver preyed on Black women and girls in New Jersey in 2016, believing no one would look for them.
I'm Not a Monster
A multi-award-winning BBC investigation into ISIS recruitment, told through the people who were pulled in.
The Nobody Zone
RTÉ's award-winning investigation into Kieran Kelly, believed to be Ireland's first identified serial killer.
How they compare
| Podcast | Format | Country | Binge |
|---|---|---|---|
| We Were Three (original) | Serialized | United States | 7/10 |
| The Trial of Erin Patterson | Serialized | United Kingdom | 9/10 |
| S-Town | Serialized | United States | 9/10 |
| The Missing Cryptoqueen | Serialized | United Kingdom | 9/10 |
| Pipeline | Serialized | United Kingdom | 9/10 |
| Murdaugh Murders Podcast | Serialized | United States | 9/10 |
| Matched with a Predator | Serialized | United Kingdom | 8/10 |
| Inside Murder Trial: Girl in the River | Serialized | United Kingdom | 8/10 |
| We Call Her Emma | Serialized | United Kingdom | 8/10 |
Newsletter
Get recommendations like this weekly
Curated picks, new reviews, and hidden gems. Find your next obsession.
Frequently Asked Questions
What podcasts are similar to We Were Three?
The best alternatives to We Were Three are podcasts that share its Institutional failure, Investigative focus and serialized format. We've matched alternatives based on case types, storytelling format, and community ratings from our database.
Why do people love We Were Three?
We Were Three is known for its personal, reflective, profound approach to Institutional failure and Investigative. It scores 7/10 on our binge factor rating, reflecting how compulsively listenable listeners find it.
How long are episodes of We Were Three?
Episodes of We Were Three are typically 35-45 min long. It follows a serialized format, covering one story across multiple episodes.
Where can I listen to We Were Three?
We Were Three is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify. You can find it by searching the show name on any of those platforms.
What is the best episode of We Were Three to start with?
New listeners are recommended to start with Episode 1. As a serialized podcast, it's best to start from the beginning of a season.