FX is releasing a new docuseries, “The Secrets of Hillsong,” based on Vanity Fair‘s exposé of the controversial megachurch and married couple pastors Carl and Laura Lentz. The series is set to premiere Friday, May 19 at 10 PM with the first two episodes. The final two episodes will air May 26. All episodes will stream the next day on Hulu. The series will be available on Star+ in Latin America and Disney+ under the Star banner in all other territories.
According to Variety, the four-part series is based on reporting from Vanity Fair’s Alex French and Dan Adler about Hillsong, which became famous for attracting celebrities like Justin and Hailey Bieber and Kylie and Kendall Jenner — before it was exposed for covering up misconduct including infidelity in the Lentz’s marriage and child sexual abuse.
Along with the Lentzes, “The Secrets of Hillsong” includes interviews with former congregants and others connected to the church, such as Tiff Perez, Ashley Jones and Mary Jones, Josh Canfield, Janice Lagata, Geoff Bullock, David Shoebridge, David Cowdrey and Tanya Levin.
The series hails from Oscar and Emmy-winning Queer Eye producer Scout Productions and Vanity Fair Studios and is directed by Stacey Lee. Executive producers include French, Adler, David Collins, Joel Chiodi, Michael Williams, Rob Eric, Agnes Chu and Sarah Amos.
“With the depth and clarity of this project owed to the excellent reporting of Vanity Fair, and the perspectives of those speaking out for the very first time, we have been committed to telling a well-rounded and definitive story of Hillsong,” said Chiodi, who serves as head of documentary at Scout Productions. “Because of these voices, along with unprecedented access to Carl and Laura Lentz, ‘The Secrets of Hillsong’ offers new insights into how decades of scandal and corruption went unchecked within the church, and more importantly, at what it meant for the community left in their rubble.”
“Uncovering stories that contend with power and the people who hold it is core to Vanity Fair’s mission,” said Chu, president of Condé Nast Entertainment. “Thanks to stellar reporting by Alex French and Dan Adler, and the courage of those who stepped forward to share their experiences, we know that power —and its systemic abuse over people seeking faith and community — is central to the Hillsong collapse. I’m grateful to our partners at Scout Productions, and to FX for helping us bring this eye-opening story to light.”
Source: Variety