Former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his longtime chief of staff, Katie Telford, have entered the entertainment industry by establishing a new media and entertainment production company named Hope & Hard Work. The company’s name is inspired by a slogan used by Trudeau and the Liberal Party during his nine-year prime ministership, which concluded in 2025.
Hope & Hard Work will focus on creating a variety of content, including scripted and unscripted productions such as documentaries, docuseries, television series, and feature films. Several projects are already in progress, with one notable endeavor being the development of a television adaptation of Perry Chafe’s popular novel, “Closer by the Sea,” set in Newfoundland. Additionally, Toronto author Uzma Jalaluddin’s mystery novel, “Detective Aunty,” is being adapted for television, with Trudeau and Telford taking on executive producer roles.
Trudeau and Telford emphasize that their lineup is diverse and carefully curated to provide audience-driven storytelling that resonates both in Canada and internationally. They believe in the transformative power of storytelling to foster empathy and understanding, bridging divides in today’s world and encouraging viewers to see the world from different perspectives.
Following his resignation in January 2025, Trudeau, 54, has been engaging in public speaking engagements globally, including at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. He has been accompanied by his girlfriend, pop star Katy Perry, whom he began dating post-resignation. Trudeau’s foray into the entertainment industry mirrors that of former U.S. President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama, who founded Higher Ground production company in 2018. Similarly, in 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, launched Archewell Productions after stepping back from their royal duties.