A week after 9/11, letters containing deadly anthrax spores were mailed to several prominent targets across the United States. The perpetrator’s cryptic notes created panic and outrage against the wrong targets, especially after the FBI initially directed its suspicions toward al-Qaida. The new documentary The Anthrax Attacks explores the 2001 crimes and the subsequent large-scale FBI investigation that lasted nearly a decade. 

The release date

The Anthrax Attacks is available to stream Sept. 8.

Who’s in The Anthrax Attacks?

The prime suspect is the late Dr. Bruce Ivins, who’s portrayed in reenactments by Marvel Cinematic Universe actor Clark Gregg. (Gregg played Agent Coulson in Iron Man, Iron Man 2, Thor, The Avengers, Captain Marvel, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and What If…?)  Interviewees in the documentary include FBI agents who investigated the attacks and those who were exposed to anthrax and survived. For more information, read this guide. 

What happens in The Anthrax Attacks?

On Sept. 18, 2001, just one week after 9/11, letters laced with anthrax flowed through the US mail system, making their way to newsrooms and the offices of US senators. Several recipients died from exposure, while nearly 20 others fell ill in the following weeks and months. Through FBI field notes, interviews and reenactments, The Anthrax Attacks delves into the extensive and years-long bioterrorism investigation and alleged culprit, Ivins, a US Army biodefense researcher.

Where did the events in The Anthrax Attacks take place?

The Anthrax Attacks features archival news footage and documentation of letters sent around the country from a mailbox in New Jersey, arriving elsewhere in New Jersey, New York, Florida, Connecticut and Washington, D.C.