Jordan Peele’s New Docuseries Rides into the Forgotten Past of the Black Cowboy
A new wave in Western storytelling is here—and it’s finally telling the truth. From Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter to Pharrell’s rodeo-inspired Louis Vuitton looks, Black artists have been reclaiming the Western narrative. Now, Jordan Peele is saddling up for a documentary that digs into the story America tried to bury.
Peacock has released the first trailer for High Horse: The Black Cowboy, a three-part docuseries from Peele’s Monkeypaw Productions that explores the untold history and erasure of the Black cowboy in American culture.
“If there were no Black cowboys, then America wouldn’t exist,” a voice declares early in the trailer, setting the tone for what Peele calls a reclamation of “the real myth of America.”
Directed by Jason Perez and executive produced by Peele, Win Rosenfeld, Keisha Senter, and Jamal Watson, the docuseries features an impressive lineup of storytellers and cultural icons, including Tina Knowles, Rick Ross, Lori Harvey, Bun B, Pam Grier, Blanco Brown, INK, Glynn Turman, Lynae Vanee, Michael Harriot, and The Compton Cowboys.
The trailer cuts between cinematic reenactments and modern rodeos, where Black riders and cowgirls reclaim the open range. Archival photos flash between interviews and performance footage, all set to a thumping score by Raphael Saadiq—a reminder of the deep roots country and blues share with Black artistry.
“I’m grateful to Monkeypaw for amplifying the powerful voices and long-standing culture of Black Cowboys and Cowgirls through High Horse: The Black Cowboy,” Peele said in a statement. “Their history is inseparable from the story of our country — and this project aims to honor and celebrate their lasting legacy.”
The series arrives during a full-fledged Black Western renaissance. From films like The Harder They Fall and Lawmen: Bass Reeves to the emergence of country artists like Willie Jones and Brittney Spencer, the cultural reins are shifting. Online, line dancing and cowboy fashion are trending again—proof that the movement is both historic and alive.
High Horse: The Black Cowboy rides into that moment, bridging generations through humor, soul, and style. The series premieres exclusively on Peacock on November 20.
