Surprise new job for Cristiano Ronaldo as ex-Man Utd ace agrees to star in huge Netflix-style drama about UK football

LEGENDARY striker Cristiano Ronaldo is to produce and star in a major drama series about British football. Filming has already begun on the show, called Day 1s. Cristiano Ronaldo is to produce and star in a major drama series about British football Credit: Getty Actor Damian Lewis at Barnet playing fictional agent Credit: Click News and Media Ex-Manchester United ace Ronaldo, 41, will appear and executive produce — while a TV insider revealed his former Arsenal rival Thierry Henry, 48, will also feature. They said: “It’s likely to spark a bidding war between the streamers. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! “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.” It will tell the fictional tale of a top football agent called Stanley Dalton, played by Homeland and Billions star Damian Lewis, 55. It is based on a concept devised by another of the show’s executive producers, real-life agent Darren Dein, 52, who represents Henry. The insider added: “After the World Cup, there’s a renewed international interest, particularly in the States, in British football. “It’s one that’s been growing for some time with shows like Ted Lasso. But this isn’t a sitcom. “It’s definitely a drama, with some comedic elements, and has some serious names backing it.” Most read in Sport Former Arsenal rival Thierry Henry, 48, will also feature Credit: Click News and Media CR7 played two stints at Manchester United from 2003–2009 and 2021–2022 Credit: Marc Aspland – The Times The show will be made by the new UR•Marv Studios, which Ronaldo runs with top director Matthew Vaughn, and will also star British rapper Dave and newcomer Carlotta Banat. Henry was recently pictured at work on the first day of filming at the football ground of Barnet FC, in North West London. Vaughn, who directed films including Kingsman and Kick-Ass, formed UR•Marv earlier this year, with the mission statement of disrupting the “conventional” movie-making market. At the time, 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.” Ronaldo said: “This is an exciting chapter for me, as I look ahead to new ventures.” The ace, who has more than one billion social media followers, scored three goals for Portugal at the World Cup and still captains Saudi side Al-Nassr. Comment now