Jordan Peele’s Monkeypaw Productions is stepping into the realm of documentary filmmaking, drawing inspiration from his recent film “Nope.” The acclaimed filmmaker, known for his work on “Get Out,” is set to produce a documentary series that aims to dismantle the whitewashed mythology surrounding cowboys in American history.
The untitled series, to be aired on Peacock, will delve deep into the erased identity of Black cowboys from frontier history. Peele’s production will rewrite a foundational piece of American history, shedding light on the forces that have obscured the contributions and experiences of Black cowboys.
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This innovative project is a collaboration between Monkeypaw Productions and Universal Television Alternative Studio (UTAS), as part of Peele’s overall deal with Universal Studio Group. Keith McQuirter, known for his work on MGM+’s “By Whatever Means Necessary: The Godfather of Harlem,” will take on the roles of showrunner, director, and executive producer for the series.
The idea for the documentary series stems from Peele’s film “Nope,” which explored themes of identity and history through the story of horse-wrangling siblings in pursuit of evidence of a UFO in California.
Peele’s track record in producing compelling content extends to documentaries, having previously worked on the four-part docuseries “Lorena” for Amazon, which tackled the controversial case of John and Lorena Bobbitt.
Pearlena Igbokwe, Chairman of Universal Studio Group, expressed excitement about the upcoming series, stating, “Nope gave a nod to the deep history of Black cowboys in America, and this docuseries offers a full exploration of their lives and contributions to today’s cultural landscape.”
The documentary series promises to be both entertaining and enriching, offering audiences a fresh perspective on an often overlooked aspect of American history. As Peele continues to push boundaries in storytelling, this project stands as a testament to his commitment to highlighting diverse narratives on screen.