David Farnor | On 11, Apr 2019

Disney+ has been making waves in recent months with its ambitious slate of fiction projects, including spin-offs from Star Wars and Monsters, Inc., as well as a number solo outings for MCU characters. But the House of Mouse’s plans for its subscription streaming service don’t stop there, with a non-fiction slate announced by Disney.

As part of that slate, Disney+ has inked a two-year deal with documentary makers Supper Club, who are behind the Netflix hit series Chef’s Table. Brian McGinn, David Gelb and Jason Sterman, who were also behind Jiro Dreams of Sushi and 13th, will create non-fiction programming for the streaming platform, including original titles and those related to Disney franchises. The first two of these are already in the works, including Marvel’s 616 (working title) and the wildlife conservation-themed Earthkeepers (working title).

“We are thrilled Jason, David and Brian will bring their distinct perspectives and genuine narrative vision exclusively to Disney,” Agnes Chu, SVP of Content at Disney+, told Variety. “As some of the world’s greatest nonfiction storytellers, Supper Club will be a crucial, creative force for Disney+ as we build a platform for compelling, personal, and authentic programming.”

“The storytelling legacy of The Walt Disney Company had a formative and lasting impact on us growing up, and we are honored to be welcomed into this exciting new chapter of such a storied studio,” added Sterman. “To become a part of the Disney family is any filmmaker’s dream, and David, Brian and I are looking forward to working alongside Ricky, Agnes, Dan and the entire Disney+ team to bring audiences dynamic new nonfiction stories from all of Disney’s legendary brands.”

Other titles in development outside of the Supper Club include the return of Kristen Bell’s musical recreation show Encore!. Here’s the full slate of announced non-fiction titles:

Encore!

Executive producer Kristen Bell brings together former castmates of a high school musical, tasking them with re-creating their original performance in a high school reunion. Emotions run high as the former students face faded friendships, former flames, self-doubt, and killer choreography, while performing musicals such as Annie, Beauty and the Beast and The Sound of Music.

Created by Jason Cohen, and executive produced by Cohen, Kristen Bell, Alycia Rossiter, Will Gluck, Richard Schwartz, Jim Roush and Chris Wagner.

Be Our Chef

Hosted by The Office star Angela Kinsey, Be Our Chef invites families from diverse backgrounds to join a Disney-inspired cooking competition at Walt Disney World. In each episode, two families will participate in a themed challenge based on their family traditions and the magic of Disney. The winner’s creation will become a signature dish or treat served at Walt Disney World.

Produced by INE Entertainment with Eric Day and Mark Koops serving as producers.

Cinema Relics: Iconic Art of the Movies

An anthology series that takes a unique look at beloved films through the props and costumes that made them unique – from the craftspeople who created them, the actors who interacted with them, and the collectors and archives who own and cherish them. Hosted by film historian and collector Dan Lanigan, it will feature Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, Mary Poppins, The Muppet Movie, Tron, Who Framed Roger Rabbit? and more.

Produced by ABC Studios and executive produced by Jason Henry and Dan Lanigan.

(Re)Connect

Each episode features one family with a modern-day, relatable issue that’s driving a wedge between them. Issues range from workaholic parents, overly competitive siblings, technology addiction, or a family secret that has recently been revealed.. With the help of a specialised expert, each family will go on a unique journey that ties to the issues they are facing in order to confront the dilemma head-on.

Produced by Milojo Productions and Talos Films. Mark Consuelos, Kelly Ripa, and Albert Bianchini of Milojo Productions, and Julian P. Hobbs and Elli Hakami of Talos Films serve as executive producers.

Rogue Trip

A travel guide to all the places the average tourist is least likely to venture – the roguish, often misunderstood and frequently overlooked corners of the world. This is the family vacation most of us are unlikely to take, but viewers do so vicariously with the intrepid Bob Woodruff and his 27-year old doppelgänger son, Mack.

Executive produced by Jeanmarie Condon and Mack and Bob Woodruff for Lincoln Square Productions.

Shop Class

A competition series following teams of inventive students who are tasked with designing, building, and testing new contraptions. In each episode, a panel of experts will rate their work based on engineering, design, and the final test of the build. In the last episode, one team will be named Shop Class Champs.

John Stevens and Spike Feresten of Hangar 56 Media and Richard Rawlings of Production Monkey are producing.

Untitled Walt Disney Imagineering Documentary Series

The documentary series chronicles the 65+ year history of Walt Disney Imagineering with parallel storylines of the people, the craft, and the business. Created by director and producer Leslie Iwerks, the series includes exclusive interviews and never-before-seen footage from Disney’s parks around the world.

Produced by Iwerks & Co. and directed by Leslie Iwerks.

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