| Nuclear Family | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Documentary |
| Directed by | Ry Russo-Young |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of episodes | 3 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
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| Producers |
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| Running time | 57 minutes |
| Production companies |
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| Original release | |
| Network | HBO |
| Release | September 26 (2021-09-26) – October 3, 2021 (2021-10-03) |
Nuclear Family is an American documentary miniseries directed and produced by Ry Russo-Young. It follows Russo-Young's mothers as an unexpected lawsuit sends shockwaves throughout their family's lives. It consisted of 3 episodes and premiered on September 26, 2021, on HBO.[1]
Sandra Russo and Robin Young have two children, Ry and Cade, each through a different sperm donor. Initially the relationship with the donors was pleasant, until one of them sued for paternity and visitation rights.
| No. | Title | Directed by | Original air date [2] | U.S. viewers (millions) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Episode 1" | Ry Russo-Young | September 26, 2021 (2021-09-26) | 0.131[3] |
| 2 | "Episode 2" | Ry Russo-Young | October 3, 2021 (2021-10-03) | 0.081[4] |
| 3 | "Episode 3" | Ry Russo-Young | October 10, 2021 (2021-10-10) | 0.062[5] |
Ry Russo-Young had wanted to tell her story of her childhood for many years, and initially wanted to make a narrative film about her experience, but instead decided to make a documentary.[6] She initially decided against making a documentary, feeling it would be a "me-and-my problems movie".[7] Russo-Young had been shooting footage of her family over the course of 15–20 years.[8] Russo-Young and her editors went through footage of her childhood and material documenting the case.[9] Because of Tom Steel's death, Russo-Young interviewed his friends and family, and his former legal team to explore his motivations for the lawsuit.[10]
In August 2021, it was announced Russo-Young would direct a documentary series revolving around her family, with Liz Garbus set to executive produce under her Story Syndicate banner, with HBO set to distribute.[11]
It had its world premiere at the 2021 Telluride Film Festival on September 2, 2021.[12][13]
OnRotten Tomatoes, the series holds an approval rating of 91% based on 11 reviews.[14]OnMetacritic, the series holds a rating of 83 out of 100, based on 6 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".[15]
| Year | Award | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | GLAAD Media Awards | Outstanding Documentary | Nuclear Family | Nominated | [16] |
| 2021 | Peabody Awards | Documentary | Nuclear Family | Nominated | [17] |
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