Darius Rucker’s ‘They Called Me Hootie’ documentary sets November 16 premiere

Promotional artwork: ABC News Studios/Hulu, ©2026 American Broadcasting Companies, Inc., via MusicRow.

Darius Rucker will revisit his years with Hootie & the Blowfish and his move into country music in Darius Rucker: They Called Me Hootie, a feature-length documentary premiering November 16, 2026. ABC News Studios announced the date and released a trailer on November 9. U.S. viewers can watch on Hulu or through Hulu on Disney+ with a bundle subscription. Disney+ will carry the film in select international markets.

According to the studio, Rucker discusses his struggles with drugs and alcohol, the breakdown of his marriage and experiences in which he came close to death. The filmmakers follow his life from childhood in Charleston, South Carolina, through the band’s success and his country career. They combine interviews with family, friends and collaborators with footage from the road and recording studio, plus archival tape from Hootie & the Blowfish’s early years.

That studio footage includes Rucker working on a forthcoming album, although the documentary announcement does not give an album release date. The trailer offers a preview of the film’s account of his career, including the band’s commercial success and the skepticism he faced when pursuing country music. In his announcement statement, Rucker credited his family, touring family and collaborators with supporting the choices he made along the way.

Brad Paisley and Lady A contribute their accounts, alongside producer Frank Rogers and former manager Doc McGhee. Rucker’s Hootie & the Blowfish bandmates Jim “Soni” Sonefeld, Mark Bryan and Dean Felber also participate, as does actor Woody Harrelson. Rucker said the documentary gives him a chance to reflect on the people and experiences that shaped him and “share a side of my story that people may not know.”

Jason Bergh directed the documentary and serves as an executive producer. Good Morning America co-anchor Robin Roberts also executive produced, and ITV America Nashville produced the film for ABC News Studios. Its country-music chapters cover the career Rucker began with his first country album in 2008. He joined the Grand Ole Opry in 2012 and earned the 2014 Grammy for Best Solo Country Performance for “Wagon Wheel.”

Sources: ABC News Studios: Darius Rucker: They Called Me Hootie premieres Monday, Nov. 16 | MusicRow: Darius Rucker: They Called Me Hootie Documentary To Premiere Nov. 16 | MusicRow public publication metadata for the November 9 report | Documentary trailer linked in ABC News Studios' release | MusicRow documentary artwork attachment metadata
Image: Promotional artwork: ABC News Studios/Hulu, ©2026 American Broadcasting Companies, Inc., via MusicRow.