British boyband Take That are set to share an intimate look at their rise to fame in a new Netflix docuseries, with a recently released trailer revealing the highs, lows and pressures of life in the spotlight. The trailer released by Netflix sees the band recount their experience as a pop sensation “in their own words”, alongside a range of archive, never-before-seen footage and personal material.
Titled Take That, the series promises to take fans back to the group’s early days in Manchester to their over night success in the 1990s, the turbulence of their split, and the drama and success of their eventual comeback.
Formed in 1989, the band originally consisted of Gary Barlow, Howard Donald, Mark Owen, Jason Orange and Robbie Williams. They quickly became one of the UK’s biggest pop sensations, earning a devoted fanbase and topping charts with hits like Never Forget, Back For Good and Babe.
The trailer offers a glimpse into the intense pressures the group faced at the height of their fame, showing busy crowds, manic concerts and the glamour of winning a Brit Award in 1994.
In the trailer the three remaining members, Barlow, Owen and Donald, can be heard giving new interviews. Donald, 57, reflects on the impact of their success, saying: “The more successful we became, the bigger the audience is.”
Yet with that success came strain. As the trailer continues showing clips of crowds at the band’s concerts and footage of them winning their first Brit Award, with Owen, 53, admitting: “But it was also the beginning of the end for us as a band.”
Barlow, 54, speaks openly about the personal toll of being the band’s singer-songwriter. Describing the role as “an unbelievable amount of pressure,” he adds: “We’re a business now. A money-making machine for a lot of people.”
Netflix describes the series as a “deeply personal and definitive story of Take That” and halfway through the trailer text on the screen says: “Exclusive unseen footage. Told in their own words. The music you know. The story you don’t.”
The docuseries not only revisits Take That’s early chart topping hits but also shines a light on their later successes with their singles including Shine and Greatest Day.
Following the band’s reunion in 2005, with the four remaining members following Robbie Williams’ departure – Take That continued to release music and tour even after Jason Orange left in 2014.
Barlow, Owen and Donald have continued to release music, including albums III and 2017’s Wonderland. The trio will head out on tour around the UK and Ireland this summer before the band release their 10th studio album.
Take That will be available to watch on Netflix from January 27.
