Paramount+ has officially greenlit a new comedy series titled Day 1s, which will be set against the backdrop of the English Premier League. The project marks a significant step into sports entertainment for the streamer, bringing together high-profile talent from both the acting and football worlds to tell a story centered on friendship and ambition.
The series will star Damian Lewis, who is known for his role in the drama series Billions. The creative team behind the show includes Matthew Vaughn, who directed the pilot episode. Vaughn is well known for directing the Kingsman franchise. Dan Mazer, the writer behind the Borat films, has been appointed as the showrunner for the project.
This production represents the first project for UR-MARV Studios, a joint venture recently launched by Matthew Vaughn and soccer legend Cristiano Ronaldo. The series is also being produced in association with DoubleD Sports, which is led by Darren Dein, and Archery Pictures. The involvement of these entities suggests a strong focus on authenticity within the footballing world.
Matthew Vaughn expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration in a statement released regarding the pickup. He noted that he could not be more pleased to work with the Paramount+ team, specifically naming Casey Bloys, Sarah Aubrey, and Amy Gravitt. Vaughn described the project as the perfect start for his new company and honored his partnership with Ronaldo, predicting that the football record-holder would soon make a similar impact in film and television.
The narrative of Day 1s follows a gifted young footballer who realizes his dream of playing in the Premier League by signing with Brentford FC. The character brings along his close friends who have supported him long before he achieved wealth and fame. These friends are referred to in the show's logline as his Day 1s. Brentford is a real club based in West London that currently sits in eighth place in the 2026-27 season standings.
Cristiano Ronaldo, who serves as an executive producer, shared his perspective on the project's themes. He stated that his entire life has been spent in football and that the most powerful stories often occur away from the pitch. Ronaldo emphasized that the sport is defined by dreams, ambition, loyalty, and sacrifice. He expressed pride in helping to bring a different side of the game to life, believing the story will resonate with audiences beyond just football fans.
Ronaldo also highlighted the special nature of working with his partner and friend Matthew Vaughn. He noted that having Thierry Henry on board as another executive producer makes the experience even more meaningful. Henry, a former professional player, described the project as having real heart and expressed excitement for audiences to see it. He also jokingly referred to it as a welcome change to be on the same team as Ronaldo after their many battles on the pitch.
Damian Lewis added his own remarks, describing Day 1s as a show about friendship and football. He expressed his excitement to be part of the starting lineup and looked forward to the start of the production. The full list of executive producers for the series includes Vaughn, Dein, Ronaldo, Henry, Mazer, Lewis, Doug Ellin, and Kris Thykier.
The key figures in the project are represented by various talent agencies. Matthew Vaughn is represented by WME and Johnson Shapiro, while Dan Mazer is with CAA LBI Entertainment and the Davis Law Group. Damian Lewis is represented by Markham, Froggatt & Irwin and Range Media Partners. Thierry Henry is associated with DoubleD Sports, and Kris Thykier is represented by Del Shaw.
