“Willie Nelson & Family,” Directed by Award-Winning Filmmakers Thom Zimny and Oren Moverman, to Premiere on Paramount+ on Thursday, December 21 [VIDEO]

Paramount+ today announced that the documentary series WILLIE NELSON & FAMILY, which garnered widespread critical acclaim following its original world premiere at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival, will premiere as a four-part series exclusively on the service beginning Thursday, December 21.

Exploring the extraordinary life of one of the world’s most talented music icons, WILLIE NELSON & FAMILY is the first and only authorized work about the groundbreaking, multi-hyphenate artist who is universally beloved by fans from all walks of life.

Presented by MTV Entertainment Studios, in association with 101 Studios, Blackbird Presents Films, and Sight Unseen, the four-part series delves into the unparalleled seven-decade career of Willie Nelson, 90, who has carved his rightful place among the greatest singer-songwriter and guitar players of all time, and underscores both his personal and professional highs and lows. At turns spiritual, dramatic, and playful, the film spotlights the badass American outlaw cowboy who transcended his humble beginnings in small-town Abbott, Texas, and speaks volumes through his lyrics and melodies, philanthropy, marijuana advocacy, and activism on behalf of the American farmer.

Directed and executive produced by Emmy Award® & Grammy Award®-winning filmmaker Thom Zimny (Sly, Springsteen on Broadway, The Gift: The Journey of Johnny Cash), Academy Award®-nominated & Emmy Award®-winning filmmaker Oren Moverman (Love & Mercy, The Messenger) and executive produced by Academy Award®-nominated and multi-award-winning storyteller Taylor Sheridan (YELLOWSTONE, Hell or High Water, Wind River), WILLIE NELSON & FAMILY fuses their unique styles to construct an intimate and cinematic memoir of the Red Headed Stranger, told in Willie’s own voice. Filmed throughout the country, the series traces back through time to weave perspectives from the artist’s actual and figurative families, including his children, sister Bobbie Nelson, fellow musicians, lifelong friends, producers, lawyers, booking agent, tour manager, driver, several Willie-ologists, concert goers and anyone who shaped or was shaped by the quintessential visionary.

“Willie’s music formed the soundtrack of my youth. His songwriting helped shape me as a storyteller,” said executive producer Taylor Sheridan. “Willie is a national treasure and his story will serve as inspiration for all those seeking their own path that leads away from the clouds of compromise. Willie has opened his life to us – warts and all – to serve as a beacon to overcoming failure, realizing dreams, and keeping your compass once the dream is achieved.”

“It’s been an honor of a lifetime to live in Willie World and travel this long road with the great man and his family. Willie is the last of the consensus artists in America, bringing together people from across every divide: age, class, race, orientation, political affiliation, and more. And so this series, like Willie’s music, is about healing. Let there be more of it. Let it be as deeply felt as Willie Nelson. We couldn’t be more grateful,” said Thom Zimny and Oren Moverman.

The project was developed by longtime Nelson manager Mark Rothbaum and Blackbird Presents Founder & Chief Creative Officer Keith Wortman, who have collaborated on several award-winning film, television and music projects.

“Telling Willie’s story has been a lifelong dream of ours, and we feel privileged to partner with Paramount+, Taylor Sheridan, David Glasser and their teams in bringing his story to the world,” said Keith Wortman and Mark Rothbaum.

WILLIE NELSON & FAMILY is directed and executive produced by Thom Zimny and Oren Moverman. Executive Producers are Taylor Sheridan, Keith Wortman (Blackbird Presents), Mark Rothbaum, Julia Lebedev and Eddie Vaisman (Sight Unseen). David C. Glasser, David Hutkin, Ron Burkle and Bob Yari serve as executive producers for 101 Studios. Annie D’Angelo-Nelson, Leonid Lebedev, Mark Ankner and Sean Stuart also serve as executive producers.