Today, Prime Video released the official trailer and key art for the upcoming four-part docuseries The Tragically Hip: No Dress Rehearsal, an intimate and unvarnished look at the extraordinary 40-year journey of one of Canada’s most beloved rock bands.
Directed by Mike Downie, the four-part series chronicles the triumphs, trials, and deep bonds of brotherhood that defined The Tragically Hip’s rise from basement shows to arena rock legends. The docuseries will have its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival before screening at film festivals nationwide. The Prime Video launch date will be shared at a later date.
“We’re thrilled to premiere the incredible story of The Tragically Hip at this year’s TIFF. It will be a powerful and memorable event,” said Mike Downie. “This project is a labor of love, with personal and unseen footage from the band’s 40-year history. We set out to understand what held the band together, what pushed them apart, and how they captured the hearts and minds of so many fans both in Canada and around the world.”
“The Tragically Hip’s music continues to be the soundtrack for generations of Canadians,” said Shaun Alperin, head of content at Prime Video, Canada. “This docuseries offers fans an unprecedented window into the band’s iconic career and the deep kinship they forged with an entire nation through their poetic lyrics and electrifying performances — from director Mike Downie who was there for every moment.”
The Tragically Hip: No Dress Rehearsal is a love story between a band and the country they call home. With never-before-seen personal and archival footage, the Canadian rock’n’roll legends share the story of their unique, complicated, and wildly successful musical brotherhood.
Forty years of hits and misses, friendship and frustration, triumph and tragedy, the docuseries features unseen performances, unreleased music, and unprecedented access to The Hip.
From their hometown of Kingston, ON, Rob Baker, Gord Downie, Johnny Fay, Paul Langlois, and Gord Sinclair skyrocketed to fame as The Tragically Hip with their signature blend of rock anthems and poetic lyricism.
Over their storied career, the band released 14 studio albums, 9 of which hit #1 in Canada, won 17 Juno Awards, was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, and received a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame. Their 2016 cross-Canada tour, undertaken after Downie’s terminal cancer diagnosis, was a cultural phenomenon watched by millions.
The Tragically Hip: No Dress Rehearsal is produced by Courage Films with support from Ontario Creates and the Government of Canada. The docuseries is directed and produced by Mike Downie and executive produced by Jake Gold.
Watch the trailer here and scroll down to view the full key art.
Mirko Parlevliet has been reporting on the entertainment industry since 1998 and founded Vital Thrills to provide the latest news on streaming, movies, and TV shows. He previously created the websites ComingSoon, SuperHeroHype, and ShockTillYouDrop.