Jordan Peele is placing a national spotlight on a long-overlooked part of American history with his new Peacock documentary series High Horse: The Black Cowboy. The three-part project, released this week, examines who the first American cowboys truly were and why their stories disappeared from mainstream narrative. The series arrives at a politically charged moment, with Peele and his team emphasizing the urgency of historical accuracy. The documentary explores how Black horsemen shaped U.S. culture and how their legacy continues today.
What High Horse Reveals About Black Cowboy History
The docuseries, directed by Jason Perez and executive produced by Jordan Peele and Monkeypaw Productions, investigates a central historical question: Who erased the Black cowboy from American memory?
The program highlights archival records showing the deep involvement of Black riders in early ranching, rodeo culture, and frontier life. It expands on themes introduced in Peele’s 2022 film Nope, which referenced the under-recognized Black jockey featured in Eadweard Muybridge’s groundbreaking motion photography.
The series also features commentary from Bun B, Glynn Turman, Tina Knowles, Pam Grier, Rick Ross, and R&B producer Raphael Saadiq, who composed original music for the show. Each speaks to personal connections with cowboy culture and the roots of Black Western identity.
Analysts, Artists Weigh In
Bun B, a Houston rap icon and ambassador for the city’s historic rodeo, said the series corrects long-standing misconceptions.
“This is not Black people trying to assimilate,” Bun B said. “Black cowboys have always been here.”
Jordan Peele’s team emphasized the stakes of restoring erased narratives.
“At Monkeypaw, we think erasure is a horror story,” said executive producer Keisha Senter.
“We wanted to answer the question—what happened to the Black cowboy?”
Veteran actor Glynn Turman framed the series as essential education in a turbulent political climate.
“This is a survival tool,” Turman said. “We’re in a moment where institutions are trying to negate the strides we’ve made.”
How the Doc Challenges U.S. Cultural Narratives
The release of High Horse comes as debates around race, history, and representation intensify nationwide. Many analysts view the docuseries as a direct counter to cultural gatekeeping surrounding Western identity.
The project reframes the cowboy archetype—long portrayed as exclusively white in pop culture—and situates Black cowboys at the center of the American story.
It also contextualizes modern Western influence across music, film, and fashion, referencing Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter, Lil Nas X’s Old Town Road, and the mainstream success of Black rodeo communities.
For many viewers, the doc marks a major shift in how the history of the American West is taught, discussed, and understood.
Future Expansions and Cultural Discussions Ahead
Sources indicate that Monkeypaw Productions may develop additional educational programming around Black cowboy history if public interest remains strong.
Peacock will air companion interviews in the coming weeks, and several participating historians are expected to join panel discussions at the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
For Jordan Peele, the doc expands his body of work beyond genre filmmaking into historically driven nonfiction, positioning him as a major voice in cultural storytelling moving forward.
Sources
Associated Press
Peacock Press Materials
Monkeypaw Productions
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Entertainment industry analyst commentary
