Will Ferrell praised as he introduces trans best friend in new Netflix documentary
Will Ferrell has received heaps of praise from fans for his upcoming documentary with one of his best friends, who recently came out as trans.
The Hollywood actor and comedian, best known for his roles in films such as Step Brothers and Elf, will be part of something a bit different to his usual titles, starring in a Netflix documentary about one of his friends.
Not just any of his friends though, it's centred on one of his best friends who he worked with from his time on Saturday Night Live.
Ferrell was one of a small group that received an email from Harper Steele in 2021, announcing that they were a trans woman.
Advert
You can view the trailer here:
Directed by Josh Greenbaum, the documentary follows the two friends as they go on a 16-day road trip across the US to discover what effect the 'new version' of Steele will have on their long-lasting friendship.
Steele was the head writer on SNL for four years, while Ferrell was a main cast member for seven years from 1995, but their relationship went beyond the workplace.
Ferrell explained to Netflix: “We’d go to Lakers games, go on road trips together, surprise each other at random little bars in costume.”
Speaking more about his friend, the 57-year-old said in the trailer: “What if we went on a road trip together, giving her a chance to go into a cowboy bar or whatever places she misses, and I can be by her side and lend support as a friend?
“At the same time, it would give us a chance to reconnect, and figure out what this transition means to our relationship.”
The candid documentary takes a look at a very real situation that people might be going through, starring one of the world's biggest stars, so it's no surprise that the response from fans have been so positive.
Fans were quick to show support for the two and praise the fact that the sensitive LGBTQ+ topic was the focal point of it all.
Taking to X, one user posted: "Common astronomical will Ferrell W (I’m sobbing)"
Another said: "This already gots me tearin up, man this is gonna be powerful."
A third added: "This is going to mean so much to so many people. Thank you!! Can’t wait to watch."
It received favourable reviews following its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival too, currently boasting a 100 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes, as critics judged the documentary to be 'brave and characteristically unusual'.
When speaking about sharing her story with the public, Steele explained: "Ultimately, the main reason that got me to do it was, ‘Oh, maybe this could be useful for others’.
"I like to think that about any kind of work that I’m putting out there. Anything that I’m making or a part of, it’s like, ‘I hope this is somehow useful to people, that it makes them laugh or they get something out of it.’”
Will & Harper will be released in select UK cinemas on 13 September, and it will be available to stream on Netflix on Friday, 27 September.
Topics: Will Ferrell, Netflix, LGBTQ, Documentaries, Film
Joshua Nair