False Prophet

A gripping true-life drama tells the story of cult leader David Koresh and the explosive Waco siege.

In 1993, the eyes of the world were focused on a remote ranch, located just outside Waco, Texas, where more than 600 FBI agents laid siege to a controversial religious community called the Branch Davidians.

The 51-day standoff between federal agents and the sect, led by self-styled prophet David Koresh, dominated headlines for weeks, and ended in tragedy when the FBI’s hostage rescue team stormed the cult’s compound, which caught fire, with huge loss of life.

The explosive events are re-created this week in Alibi’s compelling six-part drama Waco, which reveals the reality of life within the cult, and the tense negotiations between Koresh and the FBI.

The series stars True Detective actor Taylor Kitsch as Koresh, a 33-year-old who believed he could speak to God and prophesied the imminent end of the world.

After preaching across the US, Australia and the UK, Koresh converted more than 100 people and convinced them to join his Mount Carmel compound near Waco, where he had taken over as leader of the Branch Davidians.

He quickly used his position in the group to take multiple wives, allegedly including girls as young as 12. But Kitsch says he wanted to create a balanced portrait of the controversial character.