ABC News Studios, in Partnership With Imagine Documentaries, Announces the Definitive Documentary on Legendary Journalist Barbara Walters, Coming to Hulu in 2025

ABC News Studios, in partnership with Imagine Documentaries, announced today its new documentary on ABC’s very own Barbara Walters (Sept. 25, 1929–Dec. 30, 2022) coming to Hulu in 2025. Directed by Emmy®-winning filmmaker and journalist Jackie Jesko, this film will feature unaired footage from ABC’s extensive archives and interviews with people who knew and worked with the broadcast legend who paved a path in journalism unlike any other.

“Barbara left her indelible stamp not just on those of us who had the honor of working with her at ABC News but on the entire news industry,” said David Sloan, senior executive producer, ABC News. “With never-before-seen footage and interviews with those who knew her in her private and public lives, this film will shed new light on one of the most famous broadcasters of all time.”

Sara Bernstein, president of Imagine Documentaries, said, “Barbara Walters is the OG trailblazer of broadcast journalism. Imagine Documentaries is thrilled and honored to be working with award-winning filmmaker Jackie Jesko, Oscar® nominee Betsy West and the entire team at ABC News Studios on this project to share her inspirational life and career with a new generation.”

In her unparalleled career, Walters has arguably interviewed more politicians and stars than any other journalist in history. The documentary will examine Walters’ pivotal role in the history of broadcast journalism and her trailblazing example for women in the industry. By speaking to a broad audience, the film will explore themes of sexism, power and the price of “having it all.”

The documentary, which has yet to be titled, is produced by Imagine Documentaries for ABC News Studios in association with Latchkey Films and directed by Jesko. For Imagine Documentaries, the film is produced by Marcella Steingart, Bernstein, Justin Wilkes and Meredith Kaulfers. Brian Grazer, Ron Howard and Betsy West serve as executive producers. For ABC News Studios, Muriel Pearson is executive producer, and Sloan is senior executive producer. ABC News Studios is led by Mike Kelley, and Reena Mehta is the SVP of Streaming and Digital Content.

About ABC News Studios
ABC News Studios, inspired by ABC News’ trusted reporting, is an award-winning, premium news and documentary original production house and commissioning partner of series and specials. ABC News Studios champions untold and authentic stories driving the cultural zeitgeist spanning true-crime, investigations, pop culture and news-adjacent stories. ABC News Studios’ original titles include critically acclaimed documentaries “Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields,” “Sound of the Police,” “The Lady Bird Diaries,” “Aftershock,” and most recently “BRATS” from director Andrew McCarthy, and popular docuseries and documentaries, including “Killing County,” “Wild Crime,” “Betrayal: The Perfect Husband,” “Daughters of the Cult, ”  “The Randall Scandal: Love, Loathing, and Vanderpump” and “Jelly Roll: Save Me.”

About Imagine Documentaries
Imagine’s documentary company, led by EMMY Award-nominated and Peabody Award-winning producer Sara Bernstein, has been a formidable force in the documentary space since its inception, wielding a significant influence across the industry with awards recognition and critical acclaim. Their commitment to producing compelling, socially relevant and thought-provoking documentaries has resulted in a slate of films that have captivated audiences worldwide. By embracing distinct perspectives in their storytelling Imagine has expanded its footprint in the documentary genre, exploring a wide array of topics, from pop-culture icons with The Super Models (Apple TV+), the Peabody Award-winning Judy Blume Forever (Prime Video), Stormy, the critically acclaimed portrait of Stormy Daniels (Peacock), the 2024 Sundance Film Festival World Premiere of Frida (Prime Video), the EMMY-nominated projects We Feed People (Disney+), Lucy and Desi (Prime Video), Downfall: The Case Against Boeing (Netflix); The Volcano: Rescue from Whakaari (Netflix), to the hit docuseries The Dynasty: New England Patriots (Apple TV+), Choir (Disney+), Crime Scene: The Times Square Killer (Netflix), and The Truth About Jim (MAX). Imagine Documentaries’ latest release is the 2024 Cannes Classics Official Selection Jim Henson Idea Man directed by Ron Howard (Disney+).

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Media Contacts:

ABC News
Lauri Hogan | lauri.l.hogan@abc.com

Imagine Documentaries
Sunshine Sachs Morgan & Lylis | Imagine@ssmandl.com