MerPeople dives into the enchanting world of underwater performers who have turned their love for mystical sea creatures into real-world careers. From dazzling small-town shows in Florida to the crowning of the King and Queen of the Seas in the Bahamas, this series takes you on a journey of passion and perseverance. This genre-bending portrait of a surprising and luminous subculture fuses Wade's intimate documentary approach with dazzling visuals and a narrative arc that is a testament to the epic power of being oneself. The result is a feast for the eyes and the soul.
Cynthia Wade is an Oscar®-winning documentary director who also directs commercials and fiction films. Her new four-part docuseries “MerPeople,” about the dangerous, beautiful world of underwater performers, debuts worldwide on Netflix on May 23, 2023. Cynthia’s television documentaries include “The Flagmakers” (Disney+, Critics Choice Nominee, Oscar shortlist), “Grit” (PBS/Al Jazeera, Emmy® Nominee), “Mondays at Racine” (HBO, Oscar nominee), “Freeheld” (HBO, Oscar winner, Sundance winner), “Born Sweet” (Sundance winner, Oscar shortlist), “Shelter Dogs” (HBO), “Grist for the Mill” (Cinemax), “Growing Hope Against Hunger” (PBS, Emmy Winner), “Generation Startup” (Netflix), “Living the Legacy” (Sundance Channel). Her fiction short “Sproutland” won 15 awards. She directed three episodes of Apple TV+’s docuseries “Gutsy,” featuring Hillary Clinton and Chelsea Clinton. She is a member of DGA, AMPAS, and is represented by William Morris Endeavor (WME). She has won over 50 film festival awards worldwide. She lives in Los Angeles.
