Prince Harry & Oprah Winfrey Team Up To Make Documentary Series About Mental Health For Apple TV+

On Wednesday, Prince Harry announced that he’s teaming up with Oprah Winfrey to make a documentary series about mental health for Apple’s new online streaming service, Apple TV+.

The multi-part documentary series, which will air in 2020, was co-created and produced by the Duke of Sussex and Winfrey. 

According to a statement from the Kensington Palace, the show aims to inspire viewers to have an “honest conversation about the challenges each of us faces.” Adding that the project will attempt to equip people “with the tools to not simply survive, but to thrive.”

The Duke of Sussex, who is set to become a father this month, took to Instagram to express his excitement to be working alongside Winfrey on the “vital” series.

“I am incredibly proud to be working alongside Oprah on this vital series which we have been developing together for several months,” the Prince wrote. “I truly believe that good mental health –mental fitness – is the key to powerful leadership, productive communities, and a purpose-driven self.” 

“It is a huge responsibility to get this right as we bring you the facts, the science and the awareness of a subject that is so relevant during these times,” he added. “Our hope is that this series will be positive, enlightening and inclusive — sharing global stories of unparalleled human spirit fighting back from the darkest places, and the opportunity for us to understand ourselves and those around us better.”

 

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We are excited to announce that The Duke of Sussex and Oprah Winfrey are partners, co-creators and executive producers on their forthcoming mental health series launching on Apple in 2020. The pair have been developing the series for several months and are looking forward to sharing such an important project on this global platform. The dynamic multi-part documentary series will focus on both mental illness and mental wellness, inspiring viewers to have an honest conversation about the challenges each of us faces, and how to equip ourselves with the tools to not simply survive, but to thrive. This commitment builds on The Duke of Sussex’s long-standing work on issues and initiatives regarding mental health, where he has candidly shared personal experience and advocated for those who silently suffer, empowering them to get the help and support they deserve. His Royal Highness has spent many years working with communities throughout the UK and young people across the Commonwealth to break the stigma surrounding mental illness and broaden the conversation of mental wellness to accelerate change for a more compassionate, connected and positive society. Quote from HRH: “I truly believe that good mental health – mental fitness – is the key to powerful leadership, productive communities and a purpose-driven self. It is a huge responsibility to get this right as we bring you the facts, the science and the awareness of a subject that is so relevant during these times. Our hope is that this series will be positive, enlightening and inclusive – sharing global stories of unparalleled human spirit fighting back from the darkest places, and the opportunity for us to understand ourselves and those around us better. I am incredibly proud to be working alongside Oprah on this vital series.”

A post shared by The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (@sussexroyal) on Apr 10, 2019 at 2:58am PDT

“Delighted to be partnering with you,” Winfrey wrote in the comments section of the post. “Hope we shed a lot of Light. And change some lives!”

In May, Winfrey, who attended Harry’s wedding to Meghan Markle, who is now the Duchess of Sussex, told CBS This Morning Wednesday that the pair’s collaboration began when she had a conversation with the Prince and asked him what the most important issues the world is facing. 

“He said there were two,” Winfrey told CBS This Morning. “He said climate change and he said mental wellness, mental fitness, mental health.”

Winfrey then told Harry about the series she was working on for Apple, in which he expressed his interest in getting involved. 

“He said at the end of the conversation, ‘If there is anything I can do to help…” she recalled.

Winfrey also revealed that the pair has had secret meetings in London to get the project moving forward. 

“Our hope is that it will have an impact on reducing the stigma and allowing people to know that they are not alone, allowing people to speak up about it and being able to identify it for themselves and in their friends,” Winfrey said.

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The new TV series will build on Harry’s longstanding commitment to advocate on mental health issues. As in 2017, he and his brother Prince William launched the “Head’s Together” mental health campaign, which leads a coalition of mental health charities in order to provide support for people affected by mental illness.