Paramount+ orders Damian Lewis, Cristiano Ronaldo football comedy

Paramount+ has greenlit a 10-part sports comedy from Cristiano Ronaldo and Matthew Vaughn’s label UR-Marv Studios, with Damian Lewis set to star.

Day 1s tracks the life of a young footballer playing for Premier League side Brentford FC and is being directed by Kingsman’s Vaughn.

Dan Mazer (Borat) is showrunner, Darren Dein created the idea, and fellow footballer Thierry Henry is attached as an exec producer.

Dein’s banner DoubleD Sports is also producing in association with Archery Pictures, while Ronaldo, Entourage’s Doug Ellin and Kris Thykier are among EPs.

Day 1s marks the first TV project for UR-Marv Studios, which was founded by Ronaldo and Vaughn last year as a joint venture between the duo. 

Vaughn said: “We couldn’t be more pleased to be working with Casey [Bloys], Sarah [Aubrey], Amy [Gravitt] 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.”

Ronaldo added: “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. That’s what makes Day 1s special. As a producer, I’m proud to help bring a different side of the game to life, through a story that I believe can connect with audiences far beyond football.”

Henry continued: “This is a project with real heart and I’m excited for audiences to see it. It’s also a welcome change to finally be on the same team as Cristiano after so many battles on the pitch.”