Co-produced by Novel and iHeartPodcasts, season five episodes release weekly from April 13, wherever you get your podcasts

Listen to the trailer and preview episodes now, here

LONDON and NEW YORK – April 6, 2026 – When a group of women from all over the country realise they’ve all dated the same prolific romance scammer, they vow to work together to finally bring him to justice.

The Global No. 1 podcast, "The Girlfriends” co-produced by Novel and iHeartPodcasts, returns next week with a brand new season; “Trust Me Babe.” Listen to the trailer and preview episodes here.

Over 6 episodes, award winning journalist and host Anna Sinfield will meet a group of funny, feisty, determined women, who all had the misfortune of dating con-man Derek Alldred who - in 2018 -was sentenced to 24 years in prison, and was linked to 25 victims.

She’ll learn about a mysterious man who went to almost unimaginable lengths - fake names, fake uniforms, false identities, forged documents, impersonating friends and family - to deceive the women he was dating. And all the while, developing a pattern of fraud that saw some victims lose life savings, homes, livelihoods, and perhaps worst of all, their ability to trust.

And on top of that, he seemed to keep getting away with it. Bouncing from one state to another, Derek just kept slipping through the cracks. The women he left behind faced dismissiveness from law enforcement, and stigma from the public whenever they came forward with their experiences.

In the void that was created by that inaction, from those who could’ve helped sooner, this group of girlfriends instead found each other. Across years and state lines, they formed a shared Facebook group chat, built timelines, kept track, and took the matter of justice into their own hands.

This season features a rescue operation orchestrated by some hockey-loving nurses in Minnesota, a pair of DIY detective sisters in Hawaii, a final showdown in the parking valet of a hospital in Texas, and so much more.

The Girlfriends: Trust Me Babe isn’t your classic scam story about a charismatic con-man. It’s a story about a group of powerful women who looked out for each other when no one else would, and the protective forces of gossip, gut instinct, and trusting your besties.

“The Girlfriends: Trust Me Babe” launches everywhere you get your podcasts on April 13, with new episodes published weekly on Mondays.

“The Girlfriends” podcast franchise is distributed by iHeartPodcasts.

About Anna Sinfield

Anna Sinfield is the multi award-winning journalist and creator behind iHeartPodcasts’ global No.1 hit podcast, “The Girlfriends.”

For over a decade Sinfield has reported on stories of extraordinary women who have fought back against injustice - or simply, done very cool things.  She has met and interviewed countless inspiring people, from women who’ve been wrongfully convicted and life-risking activists, to those who’ve escaped cults.

Her work combines a highly empathetic approach to interviewing, with razor sharp writing and a musician’s ear for emotional resonance. In 2025, Sinfield officially became “The Girlfriends” lead host and guiding star, introducing listeners around the world to new Girlfriends and their shocking and inspiring stories.

About Novel

Novel is a leading independent premium podcast company. Its stack of chart-topping, award-winning podcasts includes The Girlfriends, which reached the global number one spot, won the Ambie for Best True Crime Podcast in 2024.

The worldwide chart-topping hit true crime series Kill List was the winner of the Edward R Murrow Award for Journalism, the Best Podcast Award at the 2025 Broadcast Press Guild (BPG) Awards, as well as winner of the Signal Award for Best True Crime and Best Sound Design, and Podcast of the Year at the British Podcast Awards and True Crime Awards 2025.

Further chart-topping, critically acclaimed and award-winning podcasts include Harsh Reality: The Story of Miriam Rivera, Stolen Hearts, Come by Chance, Superhero Complex and Filthy Ritual.