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'Everything is a completely open book': Unique Netflix docu exposes relationship between Barry Hearn and son Eddie

Originally posted on Dartsnews.com | Last updated Aug 20, 2025 11:35 AM ET

Netflix has released an exciting trailer for the highly anticipated Matchroom documentary series "Matchroom: The Greatest Showmen. In it, some of the biggest names from the British promotional giant's stable shine in the world of darts, snooker and boxing.

The project, an idea of the sports promoter founded by Barry Hearn in 1982, came about after Matchroom signed a multimillion-dollar deal with streaming giant Netflix last year. The result: a fly-on-the-wall series in which both 77-year-old founder Barry and his 46-year-old successor and son Eddie Hearn were followed by cameras for a year. The docu gives us a unique insight into their world.

Filming is now complete and producers are working on editing hundreds of hours of footage. Starting Sept. 17, the series will be available worldwide, both on television and mobile devices.

The trailer features some absolute superstars. Snooker legend Ronnie O'Sullivan, darts sensation Luke Littler, boxing champion Anthony Joshua and Irish crowd favorite Katie Taylor are all featured. The images give a taste of the unique insight into the relationship between Barry and Eddie Hearn, who is at the center of the series.

"This looks classy."

Reactions from fans were wildly enthusiastic. Comments appeared on social media such as, "Will be a really good watch this. "Will see the good and the bad from sports!" and "I can't wait." While Barry Hearn took to X to show his excitement. "I think this captures the amazing world we live and work in. Enjoy."

Whereas many sports documentaries avoid sensitive topics, Barry emphasizes that Netflix leaves no aspect unsaid. Speaking with SunSport last year, he said, “Everything is a completely open book. It’s going to be fun. But I’m frightened to have a bath, mate! Because I get up and go, ‘f------, who put this microphone on me?’ The title is ‘Matchroom: The Greatest Showmen’. It’s going to go out to 500 million homes. They are spending millions and millions.

“The team that are doing it are the ones who did Drive to Survive, so they have a hard act to follow. But they are very excited about it. He continued: “You try to distance yourself from it. It’s a good story. We had Succession, which was almost a take-off of the Murdoch empire.

“Well, we are not at that level but it is a similar theme of an old geezer that starts off something, brings up kids in a different world to what he came from. It’s not a power struggle but there are definitely different influences throughout. But the company has grown bigger and bigger, it’s a global one rather than a British one. There are a lot of good stories.”

Featuring stars from boxing, darts and snooker, "Matchroom: The Greatest Showmen" promises a behind-the-scenes look at a sports empire that appeals to millions of fans worldwide.