A&E Network Orders James Brown Doc

A&E Network has greenlit the four-part documentary event James Brown: Say It Loud (working title), executive produced by Mick Jagger and Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson.

James Brown: Say It Loud delves into Brown’s life and innovative and influential music. It will feature exclusive interviews with friends, family, collaborators and proteges, as well as his music catalog and never-before-seen archival footage. The docuseries will premiere on A&E in 2023.

Produced by Inaudible Films in association with Polygram Entertainment for A&E Network, James Brown: Say It Loud is directed by Deborah Riley Draper and executive produced by Jagger, Thompson, Peter Afterman, David Blackman, Victoria Pearman, Tariq ‘Black Thought’ Trotter, Shawn Gee, Zarah Zohlman and Charlie Cohen. Co-executive producers for Polygram are Madeline Post and Robert Komadina. Producer for Inaudible Films is Sarah Haber.

Jagger said: “I am thrilled to be producing the four-part documentary series with A&E delving into the fascinating life of James Brown. He was a brilliant performer who inspired me from the beginning and was deeply committed to the Civil Rights movement. I have always admired James and learned so much from him. I look forward to bringing the series to life.”

Questlove added: “The life of James Brown is significant, not only to understand his immense musical impact, which inspires us and other artists to this day, but also for the deep and lasting impression he has had on American culture. Brown’s life is a crucial and timely story of struggle, redemption and self-identity, and we are honored to have the chance to share it.”

Elaine Frontain Bryant, executive VP and head of programming for A&E, said: “A&E has a long legacy as a home for bold, insightful and engaging storytelling that pushes boundaries and brings viewers deeper into the lives and worlds they thought they knew. We are honored to partner with executive producers Mick Jagger, Questlove, Black Thought, the teams at Inaudible Films, Jagged Films, Two One Five Entertainment, Polygram Entertainment and director Deborah Riley Draper to continue this tradition with James Brown: Say It Loud to provide audiences with an in-depth look, not only into the extraordinary life of the Godfather of Soul, but also his immeasurable influence as a cultural force in American society.”