Former President Barack and First Lady Michelle Obama have signed a multiyear production deal with worldwide streaming giant Netflix. The deal has the Obamas involved in the production of series and films, but it is possible that they may appear in front of the camera occasionally.
The New York Times first reported on the talks in March of this year.
“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,” said President Obama in a statement. “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.”
“Barack and I have always believed in the power of storytelling to inspire us, to make us think differently about the world around us, and to help us open our minds and hearts to others,” said the former First Lady in a statement. “Netflix’s unparalleled service is a natural fit for the kinds of stories we want to share, and we look forward to starting this exciting new partnership.”
“Barack and Michelle Obama are among the world’s most respected and highly-recognized public figures and are uniquely positioned to discover and highlight stories of people who make a difference in their communities and strive to change the world for the better,” said Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos. “We are incredibly proud they have chosen to make Netflix the home for their formidable storytelling abilities.”
While they have been out of office for more than a year, the Obamas remain quite popular. President Obama was named the most admired man by Americans in last year’s Gallup poll while First Lady Obama was second among women. Their National Portrait Gallery portraits were unveiled earlier this year and Michelle Obama’s proved so popular it was moved to better meet the demand.