North Dakota and Montana residents living near the Bakken oil fields are the subject of a new television series.

Beginning late next month, the Smithsonian Channel will air a docu-series following people affected by the Bakken oil boom, the channel announced Wednesday.

The series, "Boomtowners," chronicles the lives of several families and residents who either came to the area for work or have watched it change since the region exploded. The six hourlong episodes depict the struggles the region has faced since the 2010 oil boom.

The first episode will be available for free on April 19 on the channel's website, Roku, Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV. The series begins airing April 26.

Anne Millerbernd is a University of Minnesota student on assignment for the Star Tribune.

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