Mariska Hargitay chronicles her mom Jayne Mansfield in new doc
Mariska Hargitay chronicles her mom Jayne Mansfield in new doc
Hargitay’s directorial debut is a personal look at love, loss, and legacy.
There’s something about old Hollywood that never really fades. The fame, the tragedy, the carefully crafted image — it all lingers decades later. That’s what makes “My Mom Jayne” so interesting. In this new HBO documentary, Mariska Hargitay steps behind the camera to piece together the life of her mother, Jayne Mansfield — one of the most iconic blonde bombshells of the 1950s. Using home movies, interviews, and a lot of raw honesty, it’s less about the myth and more about the woman behind it. The film premieres Friday, June 27, at 8 p.m. ET on HBO Max.
How to watch ‘My Mom Jayne’
- When: Friday, June 27, 2025 at 8 p.m. ET
- TV: HBO
- Stream: Watch with a subscription to HBO Max.
- From anywhere: Watch with a subscription to a VPN.
Everything you need to know about ‘My Mom Jayne’
What time will the documentary ‘My Mom Jayne’ become available?
“My Mom Jayne” premieres Friday, June 27 at 8 p.m. ET on HBO and will be available to stream on HBO Max at the same time. So, whether you’re watching on cable or streaming, you’ll be able to press play right when it drops.
Why do we recommend HBO Max for watching ‘My Mom Jayne’?
HBO Max is the exclusive streaming home for “My Mom Jayne,” so if you’re planning to watch it when it premieres, that’s the way to go. Subscriptions start at $10 per month with ads, or you can go ad-free for $17 per month. There’s also an Ultimate Ad-Free tier for $21 per month that gives you crisp 4K picture, along with four simultaneous devices instead of two.
Can you watch ‘My Mom Jayne’ for free?
Unfortunately, HBO Max doesn’t offer a free trial right now, so you’ll need a paid subscription to stream “My Mom Jayne.” The cheapest plan is $10 per month with ads, or you can go ad-free for $17 if you want to skip the commercials. Since this is a one-off documentary, a single month should be more than enough to cover it, and then you can decide if HBO Max is worth sticking with.
HBO Max
HBO Max is a subscription video streaming service that gives access to the full HBO library and exclusive Max Originals. There are hubs for content from TLC, HGTV, Food Network, Discovery, TCM, Cartoon Network, Travel Channel, ID, and more. Watch hit series like “The Last of Us,” “House of the Dragon,” “Succession,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” and more. Within HBO Max, B/R Sports allows users to watch live NBA, MLB, NHL, March Madness, and NASCAR events.
About ‘My Mom Jayne’
“My Mom Jayne” is Mariska Hargitay’s way of finally telling her mom’s story on her own terms. Jayne Mansfield was one of the biggest stars of the ’50s and ’60s, but behind all the glamour and headlines was a much more complicated person. Mariska was only three when her mom died in a car accident, so this doc is her digging through old photos, home movies, and family memories to figure out who Jayne really was. It’s raw, emotional, and way more than just a look at a Hollywood icon — it’s a daughter trying to connect with the mom she barely got to know.
Watch the trailer for ‘My Mom Jayne’
What other documentaries can you watch on HBO Max?
If “My Mom Jayne” leaves you wanting more personal stories, hidden truths, and emotional reckonings, HBO Max has a few other standout docs worth adding to your queue. “The Lady and the Dale” dives into the wild true story of Elizabeth Carmichael, a trans entrepreneur who shook up the auto industry in the 1970s with her three-wheeled car — and a lot of secrets. For something more recent, “Enigma” explores the lives of two trans icons, Amanda Lear and April Ashley, through archival footage and personal interviews that highlight fame, identity, and legacy. And “A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness” tells the powerful true story of a Pakistani woman who survived an honor killing and stood up against injustice.
My Mom Jayne
Through deeply personal interviews with her siblings and an examination of the photographs, letters, and belongings left behind, Mariska assembles a new portrait of her mother Jayne Mansfield, an extraordinary and complex woman.