Italian
Liverpool FC, one of the best known and most successful soccer clubs in the world and current leaders of the English Premier League, is getting the TV drama treatment from A24, with Jack Thorne (“Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” “His Dark Materials”) attached to write.
The series, being produced in association with sports content studio Box to Box, behind the hit Netflix series “Formula 1: Drive to Survive,” will chart the rise of the club under its legendary manager Bill Shankly in the 1960s, a pivotal period in Liverpool FC’s history set against the backdrop of the city’s booming local music scene.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest soccer managers of the modern game, Shankly was Liverpool boss from 1959 to 1974, taking the Reds from the old second division to three League One titles, two FA Cups and a UEFA Cup. His successors, Bob Paisley and Joe Fagan, were able to build on the winning culture he created, winning seven league titles and four European Cups in the 10 seasons after Shankly retired.
“I’m excited to be telling this incredible story and it’s an honour to be working alongside A24 and Liverpool Football Club,” said Thorne. “Our goal is to focus not just on the club, but on the city itself—because, and this is one thing Bill Shankly made sure, the club belongs to the city and the city belongs to the club. We have a chance with this show to celebrate both a magnificent football club and a magnificent city, whilst being honest about the struggles of the 1960s and 1970s in one of our industrial heartlands. We hope to honour the fans, to the city, and the legacy of Liverpool FC in bringing its story to life.”
Popular on Variety The series will be filmed in Liverpool and Anfield and comes with the support of both the club and Karen Gill, Shankly’s granddaughter.
“I think it’s a wonderful way to share the story of my grandad’s time at LFC,” said Gill. “Anybody who knows anything about the club knows what it meant to Bill Shankly. This is going to be a must watch for all Liverpool fans and it’s a privilege to have the chance now to showcase his story to the wider world. I’m looking forward to seeing how this project unfolds and being a part of it.”
