Cristiano Ronaldo is taking his ambitions beyond football, moving into television acting and production with his first series, Day Ones. The Portuguese superstar has confirmed that production on the football-themed drama has officially begun, marking a fresh venture in his expanding business interests outside the sport.
Ronaldo has partnered with acclaimed British filmmaker Matthew Vaughn to develop the project. The pair have jointly established UR•Marv Studios, through which they are bringing the new series to the screen. The 41-year-old footballer will appear as himself, while the cast also includes French football legend Thierry Henry, British actor Damian Lewis and British rapper Dave.
Alongside his acting role, Ronaldo is serving as an executive producer. He announced the start of production in an Instagram post addressed to his 681 million followers, writing: “Exciting news! My first TV show, Day Ones, has just started production. More surprises are coming soon!”
The announcement was accompanied by several photographs, including one featuring Lewis and Dave. The rapper is also part of the series’ cast, bringing together personalities from football, film and music in the same production.
According to Portuguese newspaper A Bola, Paramount+ has approved the project. The series is expected to be among the streaming platform’s major early productions following its merger with production company Skydance. The involvement of Ronaldo, one of the most recognisable figures in world sport, has already drawn considerable attention to the venture.
Entertainment publication Deadline reports that Day Ones will consist of 10 episodes. Its storyline centres on a talented young footballer who fulfils his ambition of playing for English Premier League club Brentford. However, the drama will not focus solely on his sporting achievements or professional rise.
A significant part of the narrative will explore the protagonist’s relationships with the friends who supported him long before fame, wealth and success entered his life. His loyalty to those long-standing companions will remain central to the story, offering a perspective on the personal relationships and values that can become particularly important as a footballer’s career develops.
The original concept for the series was developed by producer Darren Dean. Vaughn is set to direct the first episode, while BAFTA-winning filmmaker Dan Mazer, known for his work on Borat, will take on the role of production director.
Vaughn, whose directing credits include the Kingsman franchise, Stardust and Layer Cake, has expressed considerable enthusiasm about working with Ronaldo. He described Day Ones as the ideal project through which to launch their new company, adding that he felt honoured to regard the Portuguese star as both a friend and a business partner.
The British filmmaker also voiced confidence in Ronaldo’s potential to make a significant impact in the entertainment industry. Having broken numerous records throughout his football career, the forward could, in Vaughn’s view, achieve similar success in film and television.
Ronaldo has also explained why the project holds particular significance for him. Football has been at the centre of his life, but he believes some of the sport’s most compelling stories take place away from the pitch. Through his work as a producer, he is keen to present audiences with a different perspective on the game.
He said he was proud to help bring those stories to television and hoped the series would appeal to a much wider audience than football supporters alone. Working with Vaughn for the first time in the entertainment industry has made the experience particularly exciting, he added. Having someone of Henry’s standing, both as a former footballer and as a person, involved in the project has also made the venture more special.
Ronaldo’s move into television comes as he continues to expand his interests beyond his playing career. Over the years, he has built a global commercial profile through business ventures, endorsements and investments. Day Ones now offers him an opportunity to explore another side of the entertainment industry, combining his personal connection to football with storytelling and television production.
With a 10-episode format, an established British filmmaker at the helm and well-known personalities from different fields among its cast, the series represents an ambitious first project for UR•Marv Studios. For Ronaldo, it is also a chance to introduce himself to audiences in a role that extends well beyond his familiar identity as a football superstar.
