Cristiano Ronaldo Begins Production on First TV Show ‘Day 1s,’ a Football Drama Starring Damian Lewis

admin · November 12, 2026 · 6 min read

Film camera and director's chair on a floodlit football stadium set at dusk, illustrating production of Cristiano Ronaldo's first TV show Day 1s.

Cristiano Ronaldo has started production on his first television series, a scripted football drama called Day 1s, the 41-year-old announced on Instagram on November 11. The Al Nassr forward will serve as an executive producer on the show and is reported to appear in it as himself, teaming up with British filmmaker Matthew Vaughn and a cast led by Damian Lewis.

Ronaldo shared a photograph of himself with Vaughn alongside the announcement, writing: “Exciting news! Production of my first TV show, Day 1s, has just started. More to come!” The post, shared with his 681 million Instagram followers, also included photos of rapper Dave and Band of Brothers star Damian Lewis.

What Is Day 1s About?

Day 1s is a British football drama set in the high-stakes world of player representation. It follows Stanley Dalton, a fictional football agent played by Damian Lewis, as he tries to make his name in the business of the modern game. The series explores the power struggles, negotiations, and relationships behind an elite agency.

The concept was developed by Darren Dein, a real-life football agent who represents former Arsenal and France forward Thierry Henry and serves as an executive producer on the series. Henry is reported to appear in the show, and filming has reportedly been taking place in London, including at The Hive Stadium, home of Barnet, according to The Sun.

Entertainment industry outlet Deadline first reported the project. No broadcaster or release date has been announced yet, and further details about the format and distribution are still to come.

The Team Behind the Show

The series is the flagship production of UR•Marv, the independent studio Ronaldo and Vaughn launched in April 2025. Vaughn, best known for the Kingsman films as well as Layer Cake and Kick-Ass, is producing the series alongside Ronaldo.

Ronaldo’s role goes beyond financing. As executive producer, he is involved in shaping the project, and reports say he will appear on screen playing himself, a move that would put one of the most famous athletes in the world inside a fictional version of the sport he has dominated for two decades.

Lewis, known for Homeland and Band of Brothers, takes the leading role as Dalton. The cast also brings together figures from football and music: Henry, one of the most decorated strikers of his generation, and Dave, the British rapper pictured in Ronaldo’s announcement.

A New Chapter After International Retirement

The announcement comes about a week after Ronaldo retired from international football on November 5, ending a 23-year career with Portugal that began with his first cap in 2003. He leaves the national team as the all-time leading scorer and the most-capped player in men’s international soccer, with 146 goals in 234 appearances.

Ronaldo continues to play club football for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, but the television project signals a broader move into entertainment and media. UR•Marv is his latest business venture beyond the pitch, following years of brand deals, hotels, and other commercial interests.

Why This Matters

Ronaldo’s move into scripted television is a notable step for an athlete whose fame has mostly been built on the field and on social media. With 681 million Instagram followers, he can promote a project to an audience larger than most television networks reach — and Day 1s gives him a producer’s credit on a drama about the business side of the sport he knows best.

The project also tests whether a football drama built around the agent’s world, rather than the players on the pitch, can find an audience. Sports dramas have had mixed fortunes on television, but the combination of Vaughn’s track record, Lewis in the lead role, and Ronaldo’s global profile gives the series a high-profile launch.

It is the latest screen project to draw headlines this week after Johnny Depp’s ‘Ebenezer’ debuted at 51% on Rotten Tomatoes, and it joins a busy slate of entertainment news that includes the Pixar’s Gatto trailer, which features Mark Ruffalo voicing a cat mobster in Venice.

Latest Developments

Production is now underway, according to Ronaldo’s announcement, though the scale of what has been filmed so far is not yet clear. Reports differ on timing: Ronaldo said production “has just started,” while other reports say filming began in London over the past few months. No broadcaster, streaming partner, or release window has been confirmed, and Ronaldo has promised more information soon.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Cristiano Ronaldo’s TV show called?

The show is called Day 1s. It is a scripted British football drama about a fictional agent, Stanley Dalton, played by Damian Lewis.

Who stars in Day 1s?

Damian Lewis leads the cast as agent Stanley Dalton. Cristiano Ronaldo is an executive producer and is reported to appear as himself, while Thierry Henry is also reported to appear. Rapper Dave was pictured in Ronaldo’s announcement post.

When will Day 1s be released?

No release date has been announced. Production has started, but no broadcaster or streaming partner has been confirmed yet.

What is UR•Marv?

UR•Marv is the independent production company Ronaldo founded with director Matthew Vaughn in April 2025. Day 1s is the studio’s first television series.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s first step into television is officially underway. With production on Day 1s now rolling, a cast led by Damian Lewis, and the backing of Matthew Vaughn’s studio, the football drama is one of the most closely watched new series in development — even before a broadcaster or release date is announced.

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