Netflix Sets Premiere Date for New Docuseries “Terrence Howard: The Incredible Life & Hustle”
LOS ANGELES – June 3, 2025 — Netflix has officially announced the premiere date for its highly anticipated original documentary series, Terrence Howard: The Incredible Life & Hustle, chronicling the turbulent, inspiring, and often controversial journey of one of Hollywood’s most enigmatic stars. The limited series is set to debut globally on August 16, 2025.
The six-part docuseries, directed by Emmy-winning filmmaker Ava DuVernay, traces Howard’s meteoric rise from the gritty streets of Chicago to Oscar-nominated stardom, and through the complex turns of legal battles, scientific ambitions, and a stunning retirement from acting — only to make a jaw-dropping return.
A Life Larger Than the Screen
From his breakout role in Hustle & Flow to his iconic portrayal of Lucious Lyon in Empire, Terrence Howard captivated audiences with raw charisma and emotional depth. But behind the scenes, his story was far more complex.
The documentary blends exclusive interviews, previously unseen home footage, and dramatic re-enactments to explore:
•His traumatic upbringing and early struggles in the industry
•The controversy surrounding his scientific theory, “Terryology,” and his claims of having “proved gravity wrong”
•His legal battles, relationship controversies, and public image evolution
•The surprise 2019 retirement speech… and the shocking reversal that led him back into the spotlight
•His secret involvement in an African tech startup and a rumored run for political office
Star-Studded Voices and Raw Confessions
The series features candid commentary from co-stars and collaborators including Taraji P. Henson, Robert Downey Jr., Lee Daniels, and Oprah Winfrey, as well as Howard himself, who sits down for his most intimate on-camera interviews to date.
“I’ve lived a thousand lives in one,” Howard says in the trailer. “This is the first time I’m telling it all — the wins, the failures, and the truths I never shared.”
More Than a Biopic: A Legacy Rewritten
Netflix describes the project as “a psychological and cultural deep-dive into a misunderstood genius,” offering a broader look at Black masculinity in Hollywood, redemption arcs, and the price of ambition.
Executive producer Shonda Rhimes calls it “a story about the power of reinvention — and what happens when brilliance meets chaos.”
Premiere Details
Terrence Howard: The Incredible Life & Hustle will premiere with all six episodes on Friday, August 16, 2025, exclusively on Netflix.
A companion podcast titled Howard Unfiltered will launch the same week, featuring bonus interviews, behind-the-scenes stories, and expert commentary on his legacy.
