Amazon sets April 7 premiere date for Hugh Hefner docu-series

March 14 (UPI) -- Amazon says its original docu-series American Playboy: The Hugh Hefner Story will premiere on April 7.

The 10-part program "tells the story of Playboy magazine's charismatic founder, Hugh Hefner, who set out to disrupt the status quo and created one of the most recognizable brands in history," a press release noted. "The docu-series combines archival footage, pulling from thousands of hours from Hefner's personal archives; interviews with notable figures including Jesse Jackson, Gene Simmons and Bill Maher; and cinematic re-enactments."

"At a time when civil rights are more in the news than ever, [Amazon] Prime members will be delighted to learn more about the Playboy brand and its contributions in that area," Amazon's Conrad Riggs said in a statement. "This series will offer the unprecedented, behind-the-scenes story of Hefner's life and his fight to protect and advance essential American rights, including free speech."