Will & Harper is a heartfelt documentary that chronicles the 30-year friendship between comedian Will Ferrell and writer Harper Steele, following her recent journey of coming out as a trans woman. The two first bonded on the set of Saturday Night Live, where Steele wrote many of Ferrell’s sketches, some of which she humorously notes were “too good” to air. Their friendship blossomed off-screen as well, with Steele eventually becoming the head writer at SNL and Ferrell becoming one of its standout stars.
Beyond SNL, Steele and Ferrell continued to collaborate on projects such as Ferrell’s telenovela-inspired Casa de mi Padre and Lifetime’s A Deadly Adoption. But it wasn’t just work that kept them connected—they often spent time outside of work, going to Lakers games and surprising each other at dive bars in costume. However, when Steele came out as transgender three years ago, both friends were uncertain about how this might affect their dynamic.
Ferrell proposed a unique way to reconnect: a cross-country road trip, which would allow Steele to experience the country she loves, this time as her authentic self, while giving them both a chance to navigate the new dimensions of their friendship. Directed by Josh Greenbaum, Will & Harper captures this journey, blending humor and heartfelt moments as the pair visit places like cowboy bars and basketball games.
For Steele, the trip was more than just a road trip—it was a reintroduction to America. “I didn’t want to only come out in big cities like New York or LA,” she shares in the documentary. “I love this whole country, and I wanted to feel safe everywhere in it. And I thought, ‘Who better to help me with that than Will Ferrell?’” The film, which premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival and was picked up by Netflix, follows this emotional and personal journey.
Director Josh Greenbaum’s vision for the film focuses on the blend of humor and vulnerability that defines Steele and Ferrell’s relationship. “Laughter is the shortest distance between two people,” Greenbaum says, emphasizing how comedy can bridge even the most delicate conversations. With 200 hours of footage, the film captures both light-hearted moments and genuine reflection, as the pair navigate everything from gender identity to the quirks of friendship.
The documentary features appearances from SNL alums like Kristen Wiig, Seth Meyers, and Molly Shannon, and even includes a fun original theme song by Wiig. But at its heart, Will & Harper is about two friends relearning each other, and in the process, deepening their bond. The trip ends with a touching moment when Steele shows Ferrell her secret home in California—a place she once saw as a retreat but now views as a symbol of her growth toward living openly.
Through humor, personal reflection, and moments of genuine connection, Will & Harper explores friendship, allyship, and the power of being seen as your true self.