Yes, you read that right: on Monday, former POTUS and FLOTUS Barack and Michelle Obama announced that they’ve signed a multiyear production deal with Netflix. (So if you’re anything like me and are chained to your Netflix account, get ready to become even more hooked.)
According to the New York Times and an official release from Netflix, the Obamas will produce mulitple “scripted series, unscripted series, docu-series, documentaries and features” based on issues and themes President Obama pursued throughout his time in office.
President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama have entered into a multi-year agreement to produce films and series for Netflix, potentially including scripted series, unscripted series, docu-series, documentaries, and features.
— Netflix US (@netflix) May 21, 2018
“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,” Barack Obama said in a statement announcing the deal. “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.”
While Netflix and the Obamas have otherwise remained tight-lipped on exactly what these projects would look like (or, because we know you’re wondering, how much we’ll actually get to see America’s former first family on screen, if at all), definitely don’t expect them to be using it to wage war on the Trump White House. As Vox reports, those close to the deal say the former POTUS doesn’t intend to make it a platform for countering Trump, the conservative news media or their political beliefs — which would seem pretty in line with the Obama family’s current approach to sparingly responding to the Trump White House’s (many) controversial decisions.
Regardless, many conservatives have already taken to social media to announce that they’ll be boycotting the streaming service, so do with that what you will.
OMG! Cancel your subscription!https://t.co/WMhRYLWN1I
— CaliTRUMPGIRL (@socalred14) May 21, 2018
With the Barack and Michelle Obama news, conservatives are saying they will boycott Netflix
Conservatives also boycotted The Force Awakens and Hamilton
You know how that turned out
So congrats Netflix!!
— Jonathan Jewel (@jonathanjewel) May 21, 2018
No word yet on when we can expect to get our hands on these projects via our Netflix accounts, but honestly, the sooner the better — because let’s be honest: even a year and a half later, we’re still missing Barack and Michelle big time.