Netflix has commissioned two new history documentary projects, deepening its investment in the genre as the United States marks its 250th anniversary. The streamer has greenlit a four-part World War II docuseries narrated by actor Josh Brolin, and is expanding its established Turning Point strand with a feature-length documentary examining the legacy of the 11 September attacks.

World War II: Behind Enemy Lines comes from 72 Films, the producer behind the Emmy-winning World War II: From the Frontlines, and will premiere this winter, charting the 101st Airborne's campaign in Europe from D-Day to V-Day using colourised and previously unseen archival footage. The second project, Turning Point: Generation 9/11, is directed by Brian Knappenberger and premieres on 2 September, exploring how the attacks shaped a generation through the stories of bereaved children, journalists and young Afghans and Marines. Both follow Netflix's recent history offerings, including the Tom Hanks-produced series The American Experiment and its America 250th Collection, with documentary VP Adam Del Deo saying audiences are "hungry for storytelling that takes history further".