Duffy, the once-ubiquitous voice behind the late-2000s soul-pop revival, is stepping back into public view with a new feature-length documentary for Disney+, marking the first time she will tell her story on camera.
The Hulu Original film will trace Duffy’s life from her rapid ascent with 2008’s Rockferry and its breakout hit “Mercy” to her abrupt disappearance from the spotlight — and the traumatic experience that led to it. The as-yet-untitled project will be directed by filmmaker Gill Callan and has no release date at the moment.
For years, Duffy’s absence was one of pop’s more puzzling vanishings. Then in 2020, she revealed that she had been drugged, kidnapped and sexually assaulted, an ordeal that left her withdrawn from both the industry and public life for nearly a decade. The new documentary promises “unprecedented access” to the singer as she recounts that period, alongside interviews with family, friends and collaborators.
At the time of Rockferry’s release, Duffy was one of the defining voices of her moment, thanks to a retro-leaning sound that cut through a pop landscape dominated by maximalism. The artist has not performed live in more than 15 years and hasn’t released an album since 2010’s Endlessly.
“Duffy’s life has been shaped by success and fame, but equally by pain, defiance and an irrepressible sense of self,” says Callan. “I’m drawn to the tension between vulnerability and confidence in her story and how a person can be deeply affected by their experiences, yet still find a powerful, expressive voice that is unmistakably hers.”
Adds Disney+ VP, Unscripted Sean Doyle, “Fifteen years ago, Duffy was one of the most famous singers in the world. Her voice was distinctly recognizable and powerful. ‘Mercy’ and ‘Warwick Avenue’ from her debut album led to 3 BRIT Awards, a Grammy and Duffy being at the peak of her career. And then she disappeared. This film will give Duffy the chance to tell her story in her own words.”
Click here to read SPIN’s 2008 Duffy cover story.
