[03/11/26 - 07:04 AM] "#SKYKING," the Gripping New Documentary Set to Make Its World Premiere at SXSW 2026, Premieres on Hulu April 14 The feature-length documentary tells the story of Richard "Beebo" Russell, who captured the world's attention when he stole a commercial plane and took off on a flight that would come to embody the dreams and despair of the American working class, while offering a look at the US mental health crisis.
[via press release from ABC]
'#SKYKING,' THE GRIPPING NEW DOCUMENTARY SET TO MAKE ITS WORLD PREMIERE AT SXSW 2026, PREMIERES ON HULU APRIL 14
The Feature-Length Documentary Tells the Story of Richard 'Beebo' Russell, Who Captured the World's Attention When He Stole a Commercial Plane and Took Off On a Flight That Would Come To Embody the Dreams and Despair of the American Working Class, While Offering a Look at the US Mental Health Crisis
'#SKYKING' Is Directed and Produced by Emmy(R)-Winner Patricia E. Gillespie and Produced by FIFTH SEASON for ABC News Studios
"#SKYKING," a feature-length documentary thriller from director Emmy-winner Patricia E. Gillespie ("The Fire That Took Her"), will premiere Tuesday, April 14, on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ for bundle subscribers in the U.S. following its world premiere on March 12 at SXSW 2026 in Austin, Texas.
#SKYKING tells the story of 28-year-old Horizon Air ground service agent Richard "Beebo" Russell, who, to the shock of all who knew him, clocked into work wearing a shirt that said "the sky's no limit," stole a 33-million-dollar plane, and took off into the skies of the Pacific Northwest, embarking on a 70-minute white-knuckle flight. The documentary ultimately offers a look into the U.S. mental health crisis.
This marks the first time many of Beebo's family members have decided to speak publicly about his story. The film includes never-before-heard air traffic control audio from the harrowing flight and an exclusive interview with Colleen, the now-retired ATC supervisor, who managed the situation on that fateful day in 2018. Additional exclusive interviews include Beebo's childhood best friend, Chris, and his Horizon Air coworker Andreas.
#SKYKING is produced by FIFTH SEASON and its newly formed nonscripted and documentary production company, Quite Contrary Pictures, for ABC News Studios. Directed by Patricia E. Gillespie, who also serves as producer alongside Christopher G. Cowen. Mary Lisio serves as executive producer. Claire Weinraub is executive producer, and David Sloan is senior executive producer for ABC News Studios.
About ABC News Studios
ABC News Studios is inspired by ABC News' trusted reporting and is an award-winning, premium news and documentary original production house and commissioning partner of series and specials. ABC News Studios champions untold and authentic stories driving the cultural zeitgeist, spanning true crime, investigations, pop culture and news-adjacent stories. ABC News Studios' original titles include critically acclaimed documentaries "Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields," "BRATS," "The Lady Bird Diaries," Emmy(R)-winning "Patrice: The Movie," "Barbara Walters Tell Me Everything" and most recently "Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery - The Untold Story." Other popular docuseries, documentaries and specials include "Scamanda," "The Fox Hollow Murders: Playground of a Serial Killer," "Betrayal: Under His Eye," "Death in Apartment 603: What Happened to Ellen Greenberg?," "Mr. and Mrs. Murder" and "Trophy Wife: Murder on Safari" and "Emma and Bruce Willis: The Unexpected Journey - A Diane Sawyer Special."
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