Docu-series 'I Love You, You Hate Me' shows the dark side of iconic 90s kids character Barney the Dinosaur

He was a beloved childhood figure in the 90s. In fact, we can all probably still resight the show’s theme song.

But it turns out there was a darker story going on behind the scenes for Barney the Dinosaur, according to the new documentary titled I Love You, You Hate Me.

Out October 12 on American streaming service Peacock, the new two-part doco takes a deep dive into the bizarre rumours and furious backlash over the purple children’s TV show character.

Peacock says the limited series is an insight into “the human need to hate” a character that was meant to promote kindness.

"From Barney-bashing to frat parties to homicidal video games, something in American society broke into a million pieces, and it’s never been put together again … or is this just who we were all along?”

In the trailer, Bob West - who originally donned the green and purple dinosaur costume - explains that the hate against Barney got so bad that there were even death threats against his family.

"They were violent and explicit, death and dismemberment of my family,” he says in the clip. “They were gonna come and find me, and they were going to kill me.”

Created by Sheryl Leach, Barney and Friends first debuted in 1992 and ran for almost two decades before being taken off the air.

Several celebrities made their start on the show, including Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato, Debby Ryan, and Never Have I Ever actor Jaren Lewison.

It is not yet known if the docu-series will be available to watch in New Zealand, but it definitely looks like it will be a gripping story. Watch the trailer for yourself above.