Release date, cast, and plot for CBC’s Neil Peart: No One’s Disciple unveiled
CBC trains its lens on Rush legend Neil Peart in a documentary probing his life, legacy, and a musical influence that still reverberates.
Built from rare archives and fresh onstage moments, Neil Peart: No One’s Disciple puts Peart’s voice and playing front and center while pulling in the people who knew him best. Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson are positioned as the film ’s anchors, reflecting on decades inside Rush with the bandmate who pushed rock drumming into new territory.
The performances
The documentary doesn’t just talk about Peart’s parts — it tries them on for size. A trio of heavyweight drummers step in to play Rush material with Lee and Lifeson, underscoring just how intricate and physical Peart’s arrangements are.
- Chad Smith — Red Hot Chili Peppers
- Stewart Copeland — The Police
- Danny Carey — Tool
What it covers
Rather than a straight career recap, the film traces Peart from his early development to Rush’s arena era and zeroes in on how he fused progressive rock with jazz accents, pop precision, and metal heft. It looks at the discipline behind the drum kit, the spectacle of the band’s live shows, and the ideas in his lyrics — a rare combo that made him both a technical marvel and one of rock’s most thoughtful songwriters.
Who’s behind it
The documentary is directed by Scot McFadyen and Sam Dunn and produced by Banger Films with Elevation Pictures. Republic Pictures has picked up distribution rights outside Canada, setting the stage for releases beyond the CBC broadcast.
Peart died in January 2020 at 67 after a brain cancer diagnosis. The film arrives as a posthumous tribute while Lee and Lifeson are back onstage performing Rush songs with drummer Anika Nilles on their Fifty Something Tour — a timely reminder of how central Peart’s writing and rhythms are to the catalog.
Premieres September 23, 2026 on CBC’s The Passionate Eye.
In Canada, the documentary debuts on CBC as part of The Passionate Eye on September 23, 2026. A U.S. broadcaster or streamer hasn’t been announced; with Republic handling distribution outside Canada, American release details are still to come.