Hulu orders LA Lakers docuseries from Antoine Fuqua

Antoine Fuqua

Disney-owned streamer Hulu has ordered a nine-part original docuseries exploring the history of US professional basketball team the Los Angeles Lakers.

The untitled project, which is set to debut in 2022, comes from Lakers’ CEO and controlling owner Jeanie Buss and director Antoine Fuqua, in association with Fuqua Films, as well as Haven Entertainment and Los Angeles Media Fund.

The series will delve into the past four decades of the Lakers, featuring interviews from more than 35 people within the organisation, including the Buss family, acclaimed coaches Pat Riley and Phil Jackson, and NBA Hall of Famers Magic Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal and team captain Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, among numerous other current and former players.

The series will also feature interviews with high-profile fans and archival footage featuring never-before-seen interviews with the Lakers late owner, Jerry Buss.

Buss and Fuqua will executive produce the series alongside Haven Entertainment’s Kevin Mann, Michael Mann and Brendan Bragg, Los Angeles Media Fund’s Jeffrey Soros and Simon Horsman and longtime Lakers senior executive Linda Rambis. Jake Pushinsky will serve as editor, while Steven Leckart will write and exec produce.

“When Dr. Buss bought the Lakers in 1979, he sat alone at center court of the Forum and thought of all the possibilities. But even in his wildest dreams, my father could not have imagined what the next decades would bring for our organization, our league and our city of Los Angeles,” said Jeanie Buss.

“I am thrilled that the true story of the Lakers will finally be shared with the world – and that we are in such capable hands with Hulu and Antoine, a director whose storytelling I’ve admired for years.”

“We are proud to bring this docuseries to the world and shed light on the legendary history of the Lakers,” added Fuqua. “This expansive look into one of the greatest sports franchises of all time is a project we all feel deeply passionate about.”

The production is the latest in a series of recent commissions for Training Day director Fuqua and his Fuqua Films, following orders for Shaka: King Of The Zulu Nation for Showtime, Emancipation for Apple TV+ and a Jamie Foxx-led Mike Tyson biopic.