Janet Jackson documentary
Janet Jackson documentary poster

Sky has shared a trailer for the highly anticipated documentary Janet Jackson. The four-part doc explores the life story of this 80s icon, and is set to premiere on Sky Documentaries as two double bills over consecutive nights, with all four episodes available on NOW from Monday 31 January. 

The two-night, four-hour documentary joins Jackson as she travels back to her hometown of Gary, Indiana to see where her journey began. She starts to look back at her own life and reflect on her fight to the top.

Speaking like never before, the singer discusses everything including her Superbowl appearance with Justin Timberlake in 2004, the controversy surrounding her brother Michael Jackson, and becoming a mother later in life. 

This is Janet Jackson’s life story in her own words, with five years of access to Janet herself alongside interviews with her nearest and dearest: siblings, friends, business partners, peers, and journalists.

Contributors include Randy Jackson, Tito Jackson, Rebbie Jackson, Rev. Al Sharpton, Johnny Gill (Janet’s Friend), Debbie Allen (Actress, co-star on Fame and friend), Paula Abdul (Choreographer), Missy Elliot, Mariah Carey, Wende Watt (Neighbour), David Ritz (biographer), Gerrick Kennedy (Journalist), Regina King (co-star and friend), Ciara, Teyana Taylor, Whoopi Goldberg, and Tina Landon (Janet’s creative director).

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The documentary covers the difficult themes of family relationships, drug addiction, race relations, sexuality, the Jacksons’ rags to riches journey, all illustrated with incredible archive footage from throughout Janet’s rich and storied career.

Rick Murray, Executive Producer for Workerbee, said: “The project has taken five years to come to fruition, but it’s been worth the wait as we gained unprecedented access to a global icon. We’re delighted to be working with Sky Documentaries on this again as our UK partner.”

Benjamin Hirsch, Director, added: “The project started life as a behind-the-scenes tour film, but as Janet, who is a notoriously private person, started to open up we soon realised that there was a much bigger story to tell. To get the opportunity to tell her story and delve through never-before-seen personal archives has been fascinating.”

Janet Jackson is produced for Lifetime and A&E by Workerbee (a Banijay UK company) and co-produced by AEC (Associated Entertainment Corporation).

Executive Producer for Workerbee is Rick Murray (Idris Elba: Fighter, The Bridge) in addition to Academy Award-winning director, Kevin MacDonald (Whitney, The Last King of Scotland). Benjamin Hirsch (Bruno V Tyson, The Bridge) serves as Director.

Brie Miranda Bryant serves as executive producer for A+E Networks. Janet Jackson and Randy Jackson serve as Executive Producers. The deal was negotiated by Jack Oliver, Head of Co-Productions, Sky Entertainment.

Janet Jackson is coming to Sky Documentaries and streaming service NOW on Monday 31 January.

Read more: The Lowdown – Michael Jackson