Martin Scorsese Opens Up About His Life and Career in New Documentary

Director Rebecca Miller reveals how she got the legendary filmmaker to share his story during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 9:07pm

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An extreme close-up of a lush, velvety red fabric texture, shot in dramatic high-contrast lighting to create a conceptual illustration evoking the glamour and artistry of Martin Scorsese's filmmaking.The rich, textured visual style of this documentary on Martin Scorsese's life and career reflects the cinematic grandeur and personal intimacy at the heart of the legendary filmmaker's work.Los Angeles Today

Acclaimed documentary filmmaker Rebecca Miller has created a new five-part series for Apple TV that offers an intimate look into the life and career of legendary director Martin Scorsese. Miller explains how she convinced the notoriously private Scorsese to open up about his life, and how the COVID-19 pandemic gave him the time and space to reflect deeply on his experiences and relationships with key collaborators like Robert De Niro, Leonardo DiCaprio, and his longtime editor Thelma Schoonmaker.

Why it matters

As one of the most influential and acclaimed filmmakers of his generation, Scorsese has long been a guarded and private figure. This new documentary series provides rare insight into the personal and creative forces that have driven his iconic body of work over the past five decades, shedding light on how his collaborative relationships and personal struggles have shaped his singular cinematic vision.

The details

Documentary filmmaker Rebecca Miller, who is married to one of Scorsese's frequent actors Daniel Day-Lewis, initially had to convince the director to participate in the project. After writing him a letter outlining her approach, Scorsese agreed to meet with Miller, and by the end of their first four-hour interview, he was fully committed to the project. The COVID-19 pandemic then provided an unexpected opportunity, as it freed up Scorsese's normally busy schedule and gave him the time and space to reflect deeply on his life and career. Miller gained new insights into Scorsese's relationships with his 'key collaborators' like De Niro, DiCaprio, and his longtime editor Thelma Schoonmaker, who has been a crucial creative partner throughout his career.

  • In early 2020, Miller cold-called Scorsese's producing partner Margaret Bodde to pitch the documentary idea.
  • Two days after Scorsese agreed to participate, the COVID-19 pandemic struck, which ended up giving him the time to fully engage with the project.
  • The five-part documentary series, titled 'Mr. Scorsese', is set to premiere on Apple TV in 2026.

The players

Martin Scorsese

One of the most influential and acclaimed filmmakers of his generation, known for iconic films like 'Taxi Driver', 'Raging Bull', and 'The Departed'.

Rebecca Miller

An acclaimed documentary filmmaker who is married to actor Daniel Day-Lewis, one of Scorsese's frequent collaborators.

Margaret Bodde

Scorsese's producing partner for his documentary films.

Thelma Schoonmaker

Scorsese's longtime film editor, who has been a crucial creative partner throughout his career.

Robert De Niro

One of Scorsese's 'key collaborators', having starred in many of his most iconic films.

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What they’re saying

“'I cold-called his producing partner in documentaries, Margaret Bodde, and I said: 'Look, this is crazy — I know somebody must be making a big movie about Marty, but if they're not, I'd be really interested.''”

— Rebecca Miller, Documentary Filmmaker

“'He particularly wanted to kind of open himself in a new way for this. He would often say 'Oh, I want to say this in a new way.' He wanted to meet me really right where I was. Our first interview … lasted like four hours. And by the end of it, he was only about 12. And he was basically thinking, 'Uh-oh, this is going to be a longer process than I thought.''”

— Rebecca Miller, Documentary Filmmaker

“'He has an immense appetite and energy and love, deep, deep love for cinema,' she added. 'As Leonardo DiCaprio says, he would do it for free. It is utterly in his blood and his bones.'”

— Rebecca Miller, Documentary Filmmaker

What’s next

The five-part documentary series 'Mr. Scorsese' is set to premiere on Apple TV in 2026.

The takeaway

This new documentary series on Martin Scorsese provides a rare and intimate look into the personal and creative forces that have driven one of the most influential filmmakers of his generation, shedding light on how his collaborative relationships and personal struggles have shaped his singular cinematic vision over the past five decades.