Janet Jackson will mark the 40th anniversary of her eponymous debut album in 1982 with a two-part documentary that will be broadcast simultaneously on Lifetime and A&E, the networks announced on Wednesday. Provisionally titled Janet, the documentary will premiere in early 2022.
The pop icon, who serves as executive producer along with Randy Jackson on the project, has granted unprecedented access, and the documentary will include archival footage, never-before-seen home videos and interviews with celebrities. The two-night, four-hour film is directed by Ben Hirsch.
Counting his personal life and professional career, the documentary has been in development for three years. It follows Jackson and his family as they suffer their father Joseph, the Jackson dynasty patriarch who died in 2018. Jackson also discusses his 2004 Super Bowl performance with Justin Timberlake, the death of his brother Michael Jackson, and her becoming a mother .
On Wednesday, Lifetime also announced a two-film contract with another music icon, Reba McEntire. McEntire will produce and star in two films for the network. One is a holiday movie tentatively titled Christmas in tune which will feature an original song by McEntire. The other is a non-vacation film, which is in development for 2022.