A new documentary is in the works on the late singer and actress, Olivia Newton-John, celebrating her legacy through never-before-seen footage, personal reflections, and stories from friends.
We are certainly still hopelessly devoted to the singer and will add this to our ‘watch list’ as soon as it hits Netflix.
Announced on June 25, 2025, the doco promises to dive deep into “the music, life, and magic of beloved pop star and cultural phenom Olivia Newton-John.”
“In her own words, through vivid archival and via reminiscences from close friends and collaborators, we’ll follow Olivia’s journey as the world falls madly in love with her and she ascends to the height of fame, only to be confronted by challenges of epic proportions.”
Olivia, born in England but proudly Australian, first stepped into the spotlight in the early 1970s after appearing on the Australian talent show Sing, Sing, Sing, which earned her a trip to the UK.
She released her debut album, If Not For You, in 1971, but it was her 1974 hit I Honestly Love You that truly launched her career.
Raised in Melbourne from the age of six, she began performing as a teenager and quickly became an icon on Australian television.
In August 2022, she sadly passed away after a battle with breast cancer, during which she became a powerful advocate for awareness and research for the disease.
What is the Olivia Newton-John Netflix documentary about?
As penned in the press release, the documentary will focus on the life and legacy of Olivia, from her breakout role as Sandy to her music hitting the charts, leading her to stardom.
“This is the story of a woman who was perpetually underestimated despite her mesmerising talent, ultimately silencing her detractors by pushing through phenomenal loss and pain with grace and gratitude,” the release notes.
“By discovering how to stay true to her beliefs, Olivia changed our culture for the better, bending it towards kindness, inclusivity, and love.”
Oscar-nominated director, Nicole Newnham, will direct the doco and shared a statement, “Olivia always signed her letters ‘love and light’ and that is the shimmering and hopeful legacy she has left us.
“As a young girl, I fell in love with her, listening to Grease on the record player on repeat. But this unique filmmaking journey – deep into the archives and into the amazing community of Olivia’s close friends and family – has revealed a complex and extraordinary woman whose impact on the world is still rippling outwards.”
The upcoming Olivia Newton-John documentary is being produced by R.J. Cutler, Elise Pearlstein, Trevor Smith, and Margaret Yen of This Machine, alongside Howard Gertler. Executive producers include Mark Blatty (also for This Machine), as well as Larry Mestel and Natalia Nastaskin from Primary Wave.
At this stage, there’s no release date or confirmed cast, but stay tuned and keep an eye on this page.
