Netflix Renews 'Untold' Docuseries
Netflix's documentary series 'Untold' will return with four new films focused on first-person perspectives. The series, known for its character-driven narratives, exemplifies a documentary-style approach that is increasingly outperforming traditional formats for engaging audiences. The model highlights the power of cinematic craft in brand and product storytelling.
- The series is created and directed by brothers Chapman and Maclain Way, who were also behind the Emmy-winning Netflix documentary series *Wild Wild Country*. The brothers' production company is named Stardust Frames Productions. Their older brother, Brocker Way, serves as the composer for the series. - The upcoming batch of four films includes stories on Lamar Odom's 2015 hospitalization, a controversial 2022 chess match between Magnus Carlsen and Hans Niemann, the scandal-plagued Portland Trail Blazers of the early 2000s, and a violent dispute involving a retired Olympic equestrian. - The *Untold* series is part of a broader, successful sports documentary strategy for Netflix, which has seen high viewership for shows like *Drive to Survive* (11.6 million views for season six) and *The Roast of Tom Brady* (22.4 million views). This approach focuses on humanizing athletes by delving into their personal stories and struggles. - One of the most discussed installments of the series was *The Girlfriend Who Didn't Exist*, which explored the Manti Te'o catfishing scandal. The documentary gave Te'o a platform to reclaim the narrative, which had significantly impacted his NFL draft prospects and early career. - The documentary-style has become a powerful tool in brand marketing, as it builds trust and authenticity with audiences who are increasingly skeptical of traditional advertising. This form of storytelling generates higher engagement, with viewers watching documentary-style content 3-5 times longer than traditional ads. - The series is produced by Propagate, a company founded by Ben Silverman and Howard Owens. Executive producers include Silverman, Owens, Isabel San Vargas, as well as Chapman and Maclain Way. - Past volumes of *Untold* have covered a wide range of sports stories, including the "Malice at the Palace" brawl, the rise and fall of AND1 streetball, Jake Paul's transition to boxing, and the BALCO doping scandal. - The creators, the Way brothers, aim to make the series for a general audience, not just sports fans, by focusing on strong, character-driven narratives. They emphasize story structure and the use of music and sound design to create a "visceral cinematic energy."
