While Star Wars, Marvel, and original programming for kids get all of the attention, quietly among the best shows Disney+ has is The World According to Jeff Goldblum. The educational series was originally a National Geographic Channel exclusive before heading over to the Disney streamer, and given that show’s success it’s no wonder they want to try again. This time with NatGeo series The Right Stuff.
Deadline reports that NatGeo series The Right Stuff, about the early days of NASA’s space program and the astronauts of Mercury 7, will instead be a Disney+ exclusive. The series is produced by Leonardo Dicaprio and has Mark Lafferty (Halt & Catch Fire) as showrunner. Tom Wolfe’s bestselling book serves as the basis.
The 8-episode period drama stars Patrick J. Adams as John Glenn and Jake McDorman as Alan Shepard, both accomplished test pilots who became instant celebrities as America tuned in to follow the space race with Russia.
“This true story of scientific innovation and human perseverance could not be more timely,” said Courteney Monroe, president, National Geographic Global Television Networks. “National Geographic’s The Right Stuff is an aspirational story about exploration, ambition, determination and resilience and reminds us that human beings can achieve the extraordinary when united by a common purpose. This series provides a compelling behind-the-scenes look at the flawed, but heroic Mercury 7 astronauts and we are thrilled that it has found its perfect home on Disney+.”
The Right Stuff will debut this fall, but you can check out a behind-the-scenes look below.
