As Actor & producer: All you need to know about Cristiano Ronaldo's first TV series

Cristiano Ronaldo serves as executive producer of 'Day 1s' through UR•Marv and is also expected to make his scripted acting debut.

Cristiano Ronaldo has spent much of his career building a global profile beyond football, but his latest project takes that ambition into a different industry. A new scripted series, developed with one of Britain's best-known film directors and featuring several familiar names from sport and entertainment, is now moving from development into production, with Ronaldo himself taking on a role behind the scenes.

Ronaldo announces production of Day 1s

Cristiano Ronaldo has announced that production has begun on Day 1s, his first scripted television series, revealing the news in an Instagram post on Wednesday, November 11. The 41-year-old shared photographs from the London production, including one showing him alongside British filmmaker Matthew Vaughn, with whom he established the independent production company UR•Marv.“Exciting news! Production of my first TV show, Day 1s, has just started,” Ronaldo wrote. “More to come!”

The announcement has brought renewed attention to a project that had been in development for several months. Ronaldo is serving as an executive producer through UR•Marv, the studio he co-founded with Vaughn, whose directing credits include the Kingsman and Kick-Ass franchises. He is also expected to appear on screen, marking his scripted acting debut after years of fronting advertising campaigns, documentaries and commercial ventures built around the CR7 brand.Ronaldo described the project as an important step beyond his playing career when the venture was first announced. “This is an exciting chapter for me, as I look ahead to new ventures,” he said.Vaughn has also explained the thinking behind their partnership. Speaking to ESPN when the studio was launched, he said: “Cristiano has created stories on the pitch that I could never have written, and I look forward to creating inspiring movies with him.”

The two are also reportedly developing a separate film, Stuntnuts, about stunt performers, which is expected to star Chris Hemsworth and include a cameo from Matt Damon. Day 1s, however, is their first major television drama project.

Thierry Henry, Damian Lewis and Dave join the cast

Ronaldo is not the only football figure involved in the series. Former Arsenal and France striker Thierry Henry has also confirmed his participation, sharing photographs from the production on his own social media account.

One image showed Henry seated at a desk alongside Damian Lewis, with his football shirt displayed on the wall behind them.

Lewis, known for his roles in Homeland and Billions, leads the drama as Stanley Dalton, a fictional elite football agent at the centre of the story. Another production photograph showed the actor seated behind a desk, prompting jokes from fans familiar with his portrayal of billionaire Bobby Axelrod in Billions, including speculation about whether the character had turned his attention to buying a football club.British rapper Dave is also among the names attached to the production. Photographs shared from the set showed him sitting with Lewis, with a framed CR7 shirt visible behind them. Dave has previously worked as an actor, notably playing the villain Modie in the British crime drama Top Boy. The cast also includes newcomer Carlotta Banat.Filming has reportedly taken place at Barnet FC's stadium in north-west London, where Henry was photographed during production.

The non-league ground has provided one of the locations for a series that appears to draw heavily on the working environment of professional football. One of the images released from the project showed a reporter inside a club dressing room, with players seated on the benches.

Hollywood star Damian Lewis and football icon Thierry Henry lead the cast of Cristiano Ronaldo's Day 1s, with filming now underway/ Credit: Click News and Media via The Sun

The involvement of Henry, who represented Arsenal and Barcelona during a distinguished playing career, gives the production a prominent football presence beyond Ronaldo.

The pair were rivals during their Premier League careers, but are now collaborating on a fictional account of the industry surrounding the sport.

A football agent at the centre of the drama

Rather than following Ronaldo or Henry as versions of themselves, Day 1s is built around the fictional Stanley Dalton, played by Lewis. The series was created by football agent Darren Dein, who is also an executive producer and represents Henry.The story is expected to explore the business and relationships behind modern British football, with the work of an influential agent providing its central narrative.

That gives the drama a different starting point from a conventional football series focused primarily on players, matches or dressing-room relationships.

Damian Lewis attends the world premiere of "Pressure" at AMC Lincoln Square on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

According to a television industry source quoted by The Sun, the project could attract substantial interest from streaming platforms because of the people involved and the subject matter.“It's likely to spark a bidding war between the streamers,” the source said.

“The sheer calibre of figures behind it, not to mention the cast, means it's a prestige project, albeit a surprising one for Ronaldo as he crosses into making dramas.”The source also pointed to the international interest in British football following the World Cup, particularly in the United States, where programmes such as Ted Lasso have helped introduce the sport and its culture to a wider audience.“But this isn't a sitcom. It's definitely a drama, with some comedic elements, and has some serious names backing it,” the source added.The production is therefore aiming for a different tone from the lighter football comedy that has found an audience in recent years. Its focus on agents and the business of the game could give it access to a part of professional football that is rarely explored in scripted television.

Ronaldo's next chapter away from Portugal

The announcement comes during a significant period in Ronaldo's career. On November 5, he released a five-minute video message confirming his retirement from international football, bringing an end to a Portugal career that had lasted 23 years.He leaves as the country's record appearance-maker and leading goalscorer, with 234 caps and 146 goals. Ronaldo captained Portugal to its first European Championship title at Euro 2016 and also helped the national team win the UEFA Nations League in 2019 and 2025.His decision followed a reported deterioration in his relationship with Portugal manager Jorge Jesus. Ronaldo reportedly walked out of the national team's training camp without permission in late September and subsequently served a 30-day suspension.

His retirement announcement came shortly before Portugal were due to name their squad for the upcoming Nations League fixtures.

FILE - Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo prepares to kick a penalty during a round of sixteen match between Portugal and Slovenia at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Frankfurt, Germany. AP/PTI(AP11_05_2026_000316A)

Although he has ended his international career, Ronaldo remains an active player at Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia. He is currently reported to have scored 985 career goals, leaving him 15 short of the 1,000-goal milestone he has been pursuing. Stepping away from international football also removes the demands of travelling for Portugal, allowing him to concentrate on his club commitments as he approaches that target.

The television project gives him another avenue to develop his interests outside the pitch while continuing his playing career. His involvement extends beyond lending his name to a production: through UR•Marv, he is taking on an executive role in the creation of scripted entertainment, with a potential acting appearance adding another dimension to the venture.For now, Ronaldo's announcement confirms that Day 1s has moved into production, with its cast and creative team assembled. A broadcaster or streaming platform, release date and further details about his own role have yet to be announced.