The 1619 Project Docuseries Set for Hulu

A documentary series based on materials drawn from The New York Times Magazine and Nikole Hannah-Jones’ The 1619 Project is slated to debut in the U.S. on Hulu as part of a distribution agreement between Lionsgate and Disney General Entertainment Content’s BIPOC Creator Initiative.

Academy Award-winning filmmaker Roger Ross Williams will produce and oversee the docuseries. He will direct the first episode and produce the series under his One Story Up production banner with producing partner and co-executive producer Geoff Martz in collaboration with Lionsgate Television, The New York Times and Oprah Winfrey’s Harpo Films. Shoshana Guy will serve as showrunner on the project.

The New York Times Magazine’s The 1619 Project connected the centrality of slavery in U.S. history with an account of the brutal racism that endures in so many aspects of American life. It was launched in August 2019 on the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the first enslaved Africans in the English colonies that would become the United States. It examines the legacy of slavery in America and how it shaped nearly all aspects of society, from music and law to education and the arts, and including the principles of our democracy itself.

Oprah Winfrey, Lionsgate and The New York Times announced a partnership to develop The 1619 Project into a portfolio of feature films, television series and other content for a global audience in July 2020.

Williams said: “The 1619 Project is an essential reframing of American history. Our most cherished ideals and achievements cannot be understood without acknowledging both systemic racism and the contributions of Black Americans. And this isn’t just about the past—Black people are still fighting against both the legacy of this racism and its current incarnation. I am thrilled and grateful for the opportunity to work with The New York Times, Lionsgate Television, Harpo Films and Hulu to translate the incredibly important ‘The 1619 Project’ into a documentary series.”

Hannah-Jones said: “I could not ask for a more gifted and committed storyteller to entrust The 1619 Project to than Roger Ross Williams. I have long admired the impact and authenticity of his filmmaking, and the fact that we’re working with Disney and Hulu aligns with our vision of partnering with the world’s greatest Black storytellers to bring this project to a global audience.”

Winfrey said: “We worked hard to get everything right with our first offering. Adding the reach of Disney and its powerful brand to our collaboration, launching on a great premium platform like Hulu, and bringing together the creative resources of our friends at Lionsgate and The New York Times to support Nikole Hannah-Jones’ narrative and Roger Ross Williams’ vision is the perfect start to our partnership.”

Duncan said: “The 1619 Project is a revelatory master class in the power of history. Nikole Hannah-Jones’ extraordinary work speaks to contemporary America and reveals how our past is ever-present, but more importantly, why engaging in a much-needed dialogue about our origins has the power to create healing and a meaningful positive impact on our collective future. It’s an honor to join forces with Nikole, the enormously gifted Roger Ross Williams, Oprah Winfrey and our partners at Lionsgate and The New York Times to bring this new chapter of The 1619 Project to life.”

Caitlin Roper, executive producer of scripted film and TV at The New York Times, said: “Our goal has been to find the right creative voices to translate Nikole Hannah-Jones’ vision into memorable television, film and other new forms, and just the right partners to champion our work. Roger Ross Williams is an iconic documentary filmmaker, and alongside our incredible partners at Hulu, we’ll really be able to expand the scope and reach of the project.”

Kathleen Lingo, editorial director for film and TV at The New York Times, will also executive produce for The Times.

Alice Dickens-Koblin, Lionsgate’s senior VP and head of alternative programming, said: “We’re thrilled to bring aboard world-class Black storytellers and platform partners who can do justice to Nikole Hannah-Jones’ powerful journalistic masterpiece. It takes content as special as The 1619 Project to bring singular talents like Roger Ross Williams, Nikole Hannah-Jones and Oprah Winfrey together, and we’re delighted to partner with our friends at Disney and Hulu to share this compelling story with a global audience.”

Kelly Campbell, president of Hulu, said: “The 1619 Project has helped frame our understanding of U.S. history and contemporary society, elevating an under-reported, systemic story of vital importance. We’re honored to be the exclusive streaming home to this transformative documentary series along with our partners at The New York Times, Lionsgate Television and Harpo Films.”