44th President of the United States Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama have inked a deal with Netflix to produce films and series for the streaming service. The Obamas, according to a press release from Netflix, will “produce a diverse mix of content, including the potential for scripted series, unscripted series, docu-series, documentaries and features.” The couple has established Higher Ground Productions as a separate entity under which to produce original content for Netflix.
“One of the simple joys of our time in public service was getting to meet so many fascinating people from all walks of life, and to help them share their experiences with a wider audience,” says Barack Obama. “That’s why Michelle and I are so excited to partner with Netflix – we hope to cultivate and curate the talented, inspiring, creative voices who are able to promote greater empathy and understanding between peoples, and help them share their stories with the entire world.”
“Barack and I have always believed in the power of storytelling to inspire us, to make us think differently about the world around us, and to help us open our minds and hearts to others,” said Mrs. Obama. “Netflix’s unparalleled service is a natural fit for the kinds of stories we want to share, and we look forward to starting this exciting new partnership.”
“Barack and Michelle Obama are among the world’s most respected and highly-recognized public figures and are uniquely positioned to discover and highlight stories of people who make a difference in their communities and strive to change the world for the better,” says Netflix’s head of content Ted Sarandos. “We are incredibly proud they have chosen to make Netflix the home for their formidable storytelling abilities.”
While former president sometimes produce memoirs or autobiographies after their time in office, this deal with a major entertainment company is unprecedented. The first content created under this partnership is expected to be released by next year.
