*OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network and Hulu have announced an unprecedented partnership to simultaneously broadcast a new docuseries, “The Hair Tales,” from executive producers Tracee Ellis Ross (“Black-ish”) and Michaela angela Davis (“The Meaning of Mariah Carey”) who created the series concept.
The series, to begin production later this year for a 2022 premiere, is billed as “an intimate exploration of Black women, beauty and identity through the distinctive lens of Black hair.” Narrators and real-life friends Ross and Davis “lead the audience through a revelatory journey of connecting the personal tales of phenomenal Black women to broader societal and historic themes. The stories shared in the series offer an honest and layered look into the complex culture of Black hair and ultimately Black women’s identity, creativity, and contributions to society – all delivered with a rare mix of intelligence, humor, style, joy, and justice.”
In a move to build a wide-reaching, multi-brand offering, “The Hair Tales” will be available in two places: on cable via OWN and streaming via Hulu as a Hulu Original docuseries from the recently announced Onyx Collective in the U.S. and internationally as a Star Original on Disney+.
“The Hair Tales” is produced by Joy Mill Entertainment, Culture House, Tetravision, and Harpo Films. Tara Duncan, Raeshem Nijhon, Carri Twigg, and Oprah Winfrey will also serve as executive producers.
Watch a teaser below:
Here’s what Ross, Winfrey and Davis had to say about the docuseries:
“This series is about identity, culture and legacy, beauty, strength and joy,” said Tracee Ellis Ross. “Hair is a portal into the souls of Black women, it drives straight to the center of who we are. Our goal is to share this vibrant community, where we hold a sacred space for each other. Like many women, I can trace my own journey to self-acceptance through my hair. This series is personal and universal, American and global. It is a love letter to Black women.”
“Early in my career, when I was just 22, my boss informed me my hair was too thick for the green screen wall behind the news desk and I needed to change my style,” said Oprah Winfrey. “So I was sent to a fancy salon in New York City and the stylist put a French perm on my hair. It burned so badly when he washed the perm out, my hair came out with it – and so did my identity and sense of self. Having grown up with the cultural edict ‘your hair is your crowning glory,’ it took awhile to regain confidence with my teeny weeny Afro. I learned then that our hair and how we as Black women see ourselves had deep roots.”
“There is a story in every curl, coil and kink of our hair. This show will be a dynamic adventure through these stories of ancestry and innovation, politics and pop culture, ritual, resilience, and revolution but mostly reveal humanity. It will affirm Black women, inform others and inspire everyone,” Michaela angela Davis.
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