Dear... (2020)

An inventive Apple TV+ documentary series reimagining biography through heartfelt letters written to society's most iconic and transformative figures.

Dear... - Series Information

  • Original Title: Dear...
  • First Air Year: 2020
  • Last Air Year: 2023
  • Created by: R. J. Cutler
  • Type: TV Series
  • Genres: Documentary
  • Content Rating (US): TV-MA
  • Number of Seasons: 2
  • Number of Episodes: 20
  • Status: Returning Series
  • Original Language: English
  • Spoken Languages: English
  • First Air Date: June 5, 2020 (United States - TV-MA), June 5, 2020 (Canada - 14+), June 5, 2020 (United Kingdom - 15), June 5, 2020 (Germany - 12), June 5, 2020 (France - 10), June 5, 2020 (India - A), June 5, 2020 (New Zealand - M), June 5, 2020 (Australia - M), June 5, 2020 (Brazil - 16), June 5, 2020 (Mexico - C), June 5, 2020 (Italy - T), June 5, 2020 (Spain - 12), June 5, 2020 (South Korea - 12)
  • Networks: Apple TV
  • Alternative Titles: Dear (2020) (US), יקירי... (IL)
  • Production Companies: Matador Content, Cutler Productions
  • Production Countries: United States of America

Dear... - Plot

An inventive and cinematic approach to biographies of the most iconic figures in society today by using letters written by those whose lives have been changed through their work.

Dear... - Trailer

Watch the official trailer and get a first look at this remarkable documentary series:

Profiles of society's most iconic figures and the lives of those they've inspired.

Where to Watch Dear...

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Dear... - Cast & Crew

Creator(s)

  • R. J. Cutler

Main Cast

  • Spike Lee
  • Lin-Manuel Miranda
  • Stevie Wonder
  • Oprah Winfrey
  • Gloria Steinem
  • Jane Goodall
  • Aly Raisman
  • Yara Shahidi
  • Misty Copeland
  • Viola Davis

Executive Producers

  • R. J. Cutler
  • Todd Lubin
  • Jay Peterson
  • Jane Cha Cutler
  • Lyle Gamm

Dear... - FAQs

What is the unique format of Dear...?

Dear... takes a distinctive approach to biography by framing each episode around letters written to an iconic figure by someone whose life that person profoundly changed. Rather than a conventional profile, viewers experience the subject's impact through deeply personal, often emotional testimony from real people they've inspired.

Who are some of the iconic figures featured in Dear...?

The series features an extraordinary roster of cultural icons including Oprah Winfrey, Stevie Wonder, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Spike Lee, Gloria Steinem, Jane Goodall, Misty Copeland, Viola Davis, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Jane Fonda, Billy Porter, Ava DuVernay, Sandra Oh, and Aly Raisman, among others across its two seasons.

Where can you stream Dear...?

Dear... is available to stream on Apple TV+. You can also access it through the Apple TV Amazon Channel if you subscribe via Amazon. For a full breakdown of viewing options available in your region, JustWatch is a helpful resource.

Is Dear... based on real letters and real people?

Absolutely. Every letter featured in Dear... is written by a real person reflecting genuine, lived experience of being influenced by the episode's subject. The series is entirely non-fiction, grounding each cinematic portrait in authentic human connection rather than dramatization or reconstruction.

How was Dear... received by critics?

Dear... earned strong critical praise for its inventive format and emotional resonance. Critics highlighted the series' ability to reframe biography through the eyes of those inspired rather than the subjects themselves, calling it a refreshing and moving alternative to traditional documentary storytelling. Its cinematic quality and intimate tone were widely praised.

Who created Dear... and what is their background?

Dear... was created by R. J. Cutler, an acclaimed documentary filmmaker known for works such as The War Room and The September Issue. Cutler's background in immersive, character-driven non-fiction filmmaking is evident throughout the series, lending each episode a cinematic depth rarely seen in television documentary formats.

How many seasons and episodes does Dear... have?

Dear... has two seasons, each containing 10 episodes, for a total of 20 episodes. Each episode focuses on a single iconic figure, making every installment a self-contained portrait. The series premiered on June 5, 2020, on Apple TV+, with Season 2 expanding the roster of celebrated subjects.

What shows are similar to Dear... for fans of the series?

If Dear... resonated with you, consider exploring American Masters, a long-running PBS series profiling cultural legends, or Arnold, a compelling Netflix documentary portrait. History 101 and The Movies offer similarly accessible, well-crafted non-fiction storytelling, while American Experience delivers deeper historical biography for viewers hungry for more.

More About Dear...

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