Last year, Variety reported that Netflix had officially greenlit the show titled “Famous Last Words,” which aims to showcase the final significant interview with renowned cultural figures, only to be aired posthumously. Now, Netflix has unveiled the inaugural episode featuring Dr. Jane Goodall, a revered chimpanzee specialist and conservationist.
Goodall passed away on Wednesday in Los Angeles at the age of 91. Following her death, Netflix released the first episode of “Famous Last Words,” showcasing a conversation held earlier this year with Goodall.
According to Netflix, “This episode presents a unique opportunity to witness Goodall’s profound reflections on her life’s work, emphasizing her role in bridging humanity and the natural world. Throughout the conversation, she shared personal anecdotes that have never been disclosed previously. The discussion is both candid and revealing, and knowing it would be released only after her passing, Goodall spoke poignantly about her own mortality.”
“Famous Last Words” employs a closed-door recording format, ensuring a measure of privacy during the discussion. The conversation is filmed using remotely-operated cameras. At the conclusion of each interview, participants, including Goodall, are invited to convey their final thoughts to the camera, sharing their last messages with the world. This footage remains confidential until the individual’s death.
Produced by Brad Falchuk through his Teley-Vision label, which has a multi-year partnership with Netflix, the show also involves Banijay Entertainment’s BSNA and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, which will serve as the custodian of the program’s archives.
Falchuk remarked, “Jane Goodall embodied fearlessness in every endeavor. Her deep love for humanity and the natural world was unmistakable during our dialogue. It was evident that she approached her final journey with the same bravery, hope, humor, and joy that characterized her entire life. She stood as one of the greatest and most cherished advocates of good.”
In addition to Falchuk, the executive production team includes Mikkel Bondesen, David Goldberg, and showrunner David Friedman.
“Famous Last Words” is inspired by the acclaimed Danish television format “Det Sidste Ord,” known for its sensitive portrayal of contemporary figures (including artists, athletes, entertainers, business leaders, and politicians) as they reflect on their lives. Created by Mikael Bertelsen, this format is hosted in Denmark by Bertelsen himself.
