Heartfelt Netflix Documentary Follows Steele and Will Ferrell on a Cross-Country Trip
Harper Steele, co-star of the Emmy-nominated Netflix documentary Will & Harper, will be honored Tuesday night by the city of West Hollywood for her advocacy and work to uplift the transgender community.
The documentary, directed by Josh Greenbaum, follows Steele and longtime friend Will Ferrell on a cross-country road trip after Steele shared her gender transition with him. The two met in 1995 at Saturday Night Live, when Steele joined the writing staff the same week Ferrell was hired as a cast member. Steele went on to become the show’s head writer, while Ferrell emerged as one of its breakout stars.
Will & Harper earned five Emmy nominations this year, tying for the most of any nonfiction program, including Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special, directing, cinematography, and picture editing. Actress Kristin Wiig, a friend of Steele and Ferrell, also received a nomination for co-writing and performing the film’s signature song, “Will and Harper Go West,” alongside Greenbaum and Sean Douglas.
In the film, Ferrell proposes a road trip so the two can reconnect, reminisce, and visit the offbeat spots Steele enjoyed before her transition, from dive bars to roadside attractions. The journey mixes humor with emotional reflection, often over Steele’s favored snacks of Pringles and Natural Light beer.
West Hollywood officials said Tuesday’s proclamation will also recognize the documentary’s role in humanizing trans identity at a time when it remains a contentious political issue.
Steele, who grew up in Iowa City and earned an English degree from the University of Iowa, transitioned years after leaving SNL, telling friends in 2022. She and Ferrell began filming their trip soon after.
