Plot Synopsis

Directed and executive produced by W. Kamau Bell, WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT COSBY is a four-part documentary that explores Bill Cosby's descent from "America's Dad" to alleged sexual predator. Comedians, journalists and Cosby survivors have a candid, first-of-its-kind conversation about the man, his career and his crimes, providing background for the complex story of Cosby's life and work, weighing his actions against his indisputable global influence. Through archival footage, Cosby reveals who he may have been all along -- the antithesis of the principled, public figure who became a hero, not only to African American people but to all people. The four-parter sheds new light on Cosby's cultural contributions and impact at the height of his disgrace -- accused of rape, drug-facilitated sexual assault, sexual battery and other misconduct by more than 60 women as far back as nearly 60 years. Bell, who grew up idolizing Cosby, unpacks how Cosby's desire for power, which propelled his professional success, could be the same driving force that motivated his alleged crimes against women. WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT COSBY peels back complex layers, portraying the genius performer, philanthropist and role model, contrasted by the accused sexual predator that now defines him. It offers viewers the chance to reconsider Cosby's mark in a society where rape culture, toxic masculinity, capitalism and white supremacy are shaping how we re-evaluate sex, power and agency.

WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT COSBY screened at the Sundance Film Festival on January 22, 2022 ahead of its Showtime premiere on Sunday, January 30 at 10pm ET/PT. All episodes were available across all Showtime streaming and VOD platforms on January 30. A new episode debuts on Showtime each Sunday at 10pm through February 20:

Part 1 (Sunday, January 30, 2022 at 10pm on Showtime): In the 1960s Cosby is collecting accolades for his comedy, breaking barriers for Black stunt performers and finding his own ways of participating in the nation's sexual liberation and civil rights movement. All the while, he allegedly begins exploiting his power. How do we reconcile everything we knew and loved about Bill Cosby with what we now know?

Part 2 (Sunday, February 6, 2022 at 10pm on Showtime): "Hey, hey, hey" it's the 1970s and Bill Cosby's on a circuitous path to becoming an on-screen educator and moral authority -- a man we thought we could trust. Whether he's telling kids to say "no" to drugs or allegedly offering pills to young women, Cosby proves himself relentless, and his ambition propels him to new levels of acclaim with 1983's stand-up special "Himself".

Part 3 (Sunday, February 13, 2022 at 10pm on Showtime): Cosby strikes gold with THE COSBY SHOW, a genre-defining family sitcom and monument to Black excellence. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, he parlays our affection for his characters into even more affection for him and leverages his growing power inside the entertainment industry to allegedly commit and conceal a multitude of sins. As the beloved sitcom comes to an end, Cosby's persona warps from America's Dad into America's Angry Grandpa.

Part 4 (Sunday, February 20, 2022 at 10pm on Showtime): After spending the early aughts perched on the high horse of respectability politics, Cosby falls down to Earth. Hannibal Burress tells a joke in Philadelphia, a chorus of survivors speak out, and a culture is ready to listen. There are two trials, a conviction, incarceration, appeal -- and in 2021 -- an overturned verdict. Now, we must debate what to do with the art we loved and the larger systemic problems Cosby's story lays bare.