Barack and Michelle Obama have recently announced their plans to produce TV shows and films for the streaming giant Netflix. In a world where the affairs of politics and Hollywood seem to endlessly intertwine, this powerhouse partnership seems fitting and not entirely surprising. One must only look as far as our current president, who boasts an impressive portfolio, including cameos in movies such as "Home Alone 2" and "Zoolander," and TV shows such as "The Nanny" and "Sex and the City." But for the Obamas, instead of featuring themselves on-screen, most of the content they create will feature specific muses.
What lies ahead
The former president revealed in a statement "...we hope to cultivate and curate the talented, inspiring creative voices who are able to promote greater empathy and understanding between peoples..." Netflix also informed that among other things, the Obamas plan to tackle different types of content, from documentaries to fully-scripted television series. The couple will be operating under their new production company, Higher Ground Productions, and Netflix has also reported that the couple's multi-year agreement will be an exciting partnership. Ted Sarandos, Netflix's Chief Content Officer, commented, "We are incredibly proud they have chosen to make Netflix the home for their formidable storytelling abilities."
Why the partnership?
It might seem bizarre that the former president and first lady of the United States should partner with your favorite streaming service, but the reality is that Netflix can make content accessible to the masses — over 125 million people, to be more specific.
The internet entertainment service casts a wide net, offering streaming services to viewers in more than 190 countries across the world. With an established base, the Obamas hope to be able to share their content and incite real change.
A history with the industry
This wouldn't be the first time the Obama clan has rubbed shoulders with the entertainment industry, however.
Michelle and Barack's daughter, Malia Obama, spent a gap year interning with multiple producers before starting college at Harvard University last fall. Among other things, she was able to intern on the set of HBO's "Girls" and even shadowed at The Weinstein Company in February of 2017. This, of course, occurred before the #MeToo movement which did not gain significant traction until October of last year.
