Images provided by Paramount
Paramount+ is getting ready to lace up its boots for ‘Day 1s’, a new 10-part comedy series set in the world of Premier League football, with Damian Lewis (Homeland, Billions) set to star and executive produce. And if that wasn’t enough, the team behind the cameras includes football legends Cristiano Ronaldo and Thierry Henry, alongside Kingsman director Matthew Vaughn. That’s quite the starting line-up!
The series follows a gifted young footballer who achieves his dream of playing in the Premier League when he signs for Brentford FC. However, he’s not making the journey alone, bringing with him the friends who stood by him long before the money, fame and success. They’re his “Day 1s”, and the comedy will explore what happens when their world is suddenly turned upside down by life at the top of English football.
The project comes from UR-MARV Studios, the joint-venture production company founded by Ronaldo and Vaughn, alongside Darren Dein’s DoubleD Sports, in association with Archery Pictures. It’s an intriguing combination of Hollywood filmmaking and genuine footballing pedigree, with two of the sport’s biggest names helping bring the story to television.
Vaughn, whose directing credits include Kick-Ass, X-Men: First Class and Kingsman: The Secret Service, has already directed the pilot episode. Oscar and Emmy-nominated, BAFTA-winning Dan Mazer (Borat, I Give It a Year) will serve as showrunner.
For Ronaldo, the project is another major step into the entertainment industry, and one which allows him to explore the side of football that fans don’t necessarily see on match days.
“I’ve spent my entire life in football, and I know that some of the most powerful stories happen away from the pitch. Football is about dreams, ambition, loyalty, sacrifice and the people who believe in you from day one,” said Ronaldo.
Vaughn is equally enthusiastic about launching the partnership into television, commenting: “We couldn’t be more pleased to be working with Casey, Sarah, Amy and the team at Paramount+ on a show that Darren conceived and pitched to me. It’s the perfect project for Cristiano and I to start our company with – and to say he is a friend and a partner is a true honour. I’m sure the man who has broken every record in football will soon be doing the same in film and TV.”
Meanwhile, former Arsenal and France striker Thierry Henry is also joining the production as an executive producer, and seems particularly pleased about one unusual change to his footballing career.
“It’s also a welcome change to finally be on the same team as Cristiano after so many battles on the pitch,” joked Henry.
As for Damian Lewis, the Emmy-winning actor is no stranger to playing characters navigating high-pressure environments, having spent years dealing with espionage and political intrigue in ‘Homeland’ and the cut-throat world of finance in ‘Billions’. This time, however, he’ll be swapping those worlds for the beautiful game.
“Day 1s is a show about friendship and football. I’m excited to be in the starting line-up. Can’t wait for kick-off,” said Lewis.
The executive producing team also includes Doug Ellin, Dan Mazer and Kris Thykier (Hijack, Is This Thing On?, Mobland), alongside Vaughn, Dein, Ronaldo, Henry and Lewis.
There is certainly plenty of potential here. Football has already proved fertile ground for television comedy, most notably with ‘Ted Lasso’, but ‘Day 1s’ looks to be approaching things from a different angle. Rather than focusing on the manager or the club itself, the premise puts the spotlight on a young player’s inner circle, exploring how friendship and loyalty survive when someone suddenly finds themselves earning Premier League money and living in the public eye.
And with Ronaldo and Henry involved behind the scenes, it’ll be interesting to see how much of the reality of professional football makes its way into the comedy. Neither football legend has been confirmed for an on-screen appearance, but their experience of life at the highest level should give the production plenty of material to work with.
‘Day 1s’ has been ordered by Paramount+, with a premiere date yet to be announced.
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