When this iconic documentary series set out to examine the legacy of the iconic reality show The Biggest Loser, the production team partnered with Holey & Moley to craft a visual language that could both reference the original programme and support a more critical, reflective narrative.
The three-part series takes an inside look at the making of the hugely popular competition, revisiting the extreme environment contestants experienced behind the scenes. Through interviews with former participants, trainers, producers and health professionals, the documentary explores the intense exercise regimes and strict dieting contestants were pushed through during filming. It also examines allegations of unsafe training practices and emotional pressure, alongside the longer-term consequences many contestants faced once production ended. Ultimately, the series asks a bigger question: was the show truly about health and transformation, or did entertainment and spectacle take precedence?
Our brief was to develop a cohesive graphic identity across the documentary that paid homage to the unmistakable branding of The Biggest Loser, while supporting the more investigative tone of the series. Drawing from the show’s marketing, merchandise and on-screen design, we built a visual style that felt instantly recognisable to audiences who remembered the cultural phenomenon of early-2000s reality television.
Holey & Moley created a full suite of graphics across the three-part series, including the title sequence, timestamps, lower thirds and editorial visualisations. The design leaned into the tactile media culture of the era—photo albums, newspapers, magazines and product merchandising all informed the aesthetic. These elements helped anchor the storytelling in the period when the show first aired, while allowing the documentary to unpack its legacy.
At the same time, the darker themes explored in the series informed the tone of the graphics. As the documentary touches on sensitive issues around body image, diet culture and the ethics of reality television, it was important that the design remained thoughtful and measured throughout.
The series went on to perform strongly on Netflix, reaching an estimated 23 million viewers worldwide and ranking among the most-watched documentary releases of 2025.
For Holey & Moley, the project was an opportunity to combine cultural nostalgia with careful, considered storytelling—an approach we look forward to continuing across future documentary collaborations.
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