Hello Sunshine’s New Five-Part Documentary Series on Women’s Sports Premiering on Peacock
Hello Sunshine Announces New Documentary Series on Women’s Sports
Hello Sunshine, in collaboration with Ally and the Lyda Hill Philanthropies’ If/Then Initiative, has unveiled the premiere date for The Rise, a five-part documentary series that aims to showcase the progress and achievements of women’s professional sports. The series will debut on Peacock, with the first two films set to release on December 15, 2025, and additional episodes scheduled for 2026.
The documentary crews have been embedded with various leagues and athletes, capturing significant moments in the evolution of women’s sports. The series will cover pivotal events, including the inaugural season of the Professional Women’s Hockey League and the record-breaking ratings experienced during the 2024 WNBA season. It will also feature interviews with prominent athletes.
Sara Rea, Head of Unscripted at Hello Sunshine, remarked, “We all know that the popularity of women’s sports has exploded, changing the landscape of sports at large. Being behind the scenes with some of the best athletes in the world during this seismic shift has been a dream come true. I am grateful to Ally and Lyda Hill Philanthropies’ If/Then Initiative for believing in and sharing our mission to tell these stories. Peacock is the perfect home for these one-of-a-kind documentaries that capture pivotal and sometimes private moments in the history of women’s sports.”
The first feature-length documentary, WNBA 2024; The Year That Changed Everything, will provide an inside look at a season that propelled women’s basketball into mainstream success, highlighted by sold-out arenas and a surge in merchandise sales. The film includes interviews with notable players such as Candace Parker, Napheesa Collier, and Courtney Williams.
Taj Paxton directed and executive produced WNBA 2024, alongside executive producers Patty Ivins Specht, Azon Juan, Juaquin Cambron, and Talent Producer Melissa Chusid.
Another documentary set to debut on December 15 is The New Moneyball, which will delve into the lengthy journey of women’s professional sports, showcasing the key players in this remarkable evolution. It will feature perspectives from athletes and figures including Emma Hayes, Ilona Maher, and Jessica Berman.
The remaining three films will premiere on Peacock in 2026. Among these is The Inaugural Season of the PWHL, which follows elite female ice hockey players, including Olympians and World Champions, who fought tirelessly for the establishment of a professional league. Directed and executive produced by Patty Ivins Specht, this documentary will highlight the significant contributions of those involved.
The Gold Medal Girls of X Games will explore the culture of skateboarding in Southern California through the lives of four teenagers aiming for the 2024 X Games.
Lastly, The Women of NASCAR focuses on four female racers in the highly competitive ARCA Menards Series, emphasizing their determination in a male-dominated environment. The film is executive produced by Hayley Pappas and features prominent figures in the sport.
Hello Sunshine executives, including Reese Witherspoon, Sara Rea, and others, will serve as executive producers for all featured projects. Ashlyn Harris will consult across all five documentaries.
Through its ongoing commitment to showcasing women’s sports, this series builds on Hello Sunshine’s previous content, including Women’s Sports Now (Roku), F1: The Academy (Netflix), and Surf Girls (Amazon Prime).
