Hulu Premieres ‘The Nightmare Upstairs’: Two Siblings’ 54-Day TikTok Livestream from a Bedroom Siege

An intense custody dispute that captivated TikTok audiences is now the focus of ABC News Studios’ gripping docuseries, “The Nightmare Upstairs: What Happened to Ty and Bryn?”

The compelling two-part series delves into the story of siblings Ty and Brynlee Larson, who locked themselves in a bedroom for an astonishing 54 days to avoid being reunited with their biological father.

In an interview with On The Red Carpet, co-director and executive producer Caitlin Keating shared insights into the making of the series.

Keating elaborated on the children’s ordeal, which was broadcast live on TikTok around the clock.

“They had to cook for themselves and even dismantle a wall to access the bathroom,” Keating explained, highlighting their fear of leaving the bedroom. “They were terrified that venturing out just a few steps might lead to their capture, so they did everything they could to endure the situation.”

Before the barricade, Ty and Bryn accused their father, Brent Larson, of sexual abuse, which he denied vehemently. The district attorney never charged him with a crime, yet the kids still did not want to end up in his custody.

Keating explains how the reunification process was meant to happen. “After Brent was accused of abuse, he went to the court and claimed parental alienation, saying that Jessica Zahrt, his ex-wife, had essentially brainwashed, manipulated the children into being afraid of their father and coming forward with these allegations. And the judge during that time believed the father and did think that Jessica was alienating them. So that is when he said that there was going to be a minimum of 90 days of no contact with the mom and uninterrupted time with him.”

That’s when the kids went live on TikTok to tell their story – to over a million viewers.

“They gained a loyal following of people who were chiming in on their live streams who were just supporting them, encouraging them,” Keating says.

Without social media, the story wouldn’t be what it is.

“I don’t think Family Court is used to having social media now be a big part of a case that they’re dealing with,” Keating explains. “It’s just, it’s incredible and heartbreaking and so many different, you know, things to think that it took, it took this for these children, you know, to go on social media, but they were finally heard, you know? And the judge brought this to trial. And, you know, it’s, I think we’re going to see more and more stories too, of kids, of adults, speaking their truth for millions of people to hear them.”

After a long custody battle, Brent Larson winds up making an unexpected decision. See how it all unfolds in “The Nightmare Upstairs: What Happened to Ty and Bryn?,” streaming now on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+.

The Walt Disney Company is the parent company of ABC News Studios, Hulu, Disney+ and this ABC station.