Damian Lewis to Star in Paramount+ Soccer Comedy ‘Day 1s,’ Matthew Vaughn Directing

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Paramount+ is teaming with a couple of soccer legends in its latest series pickup.

The streamer has greenlit a comedy called Day 1s set in the world of the English Premier League. Damian Lewis (Billions) will star in the series, which also counts soccer greats Cristiano Ronaldo and Thierry Henry among its executive producers. Matthew Vaughn (the Kingsman franchise) directed the pilot episode, and Dan Mazer (Borat) will serve as showrunner.

Day 1s is the first production for UR-MARV Studios, a joint venture Vaughn and Ronaldo recently launched. DoubleD Sports, led by Darren Dein, also produces in association with Archery Pictures.

“We couldn’t be more pleased to be working with Casey [Bloys], Sarah [Aubrey], Amy [Gravitt] and the team at Paramount+ on a show that Darren conceived and pitched to me,” Vaughn said in a statement. “It’s the perfect project for Cristiano and I to start our company with — and to say he is a friend and a partner is a true honor. I’m sure the man who has broken every record in football will soon be doing the same in film and TV.”

Day 1s will follow “a gifted young footballer who achieves his dream of playing in the Premier League when he signs for Brentford FC, bringing along his friends who stood by him long before the money, fame and success — his Day 1s,” the show’s logline reads. Brentford is a real club in the Premier League, based in West London and currently eighth in the 2026-27 season.

“I’ve spent my entire life in football, and I know that some of the most powerful stories happen away from the pitch,” said Ronaldo. “Football is about dreams, ambition, loyalty, sacrifice and the people who believe in you from day one. That’s what makes Day 1s special. As a producer, I’m proud to help bring a different side of the game to life, through a story that I believe can connect with audiences far beyond football. To take this first journey in the industry alongside my partner and friend Matthew Vaughn and having a superb former player and a great person like Thierry Henry on board makes this all even more special.”

Vaughn, Dein, Ronaldo, Henry, Mazer and Lewis are executive producing the series with Doug Ellin (Entoruage) and Kris Thykier.

“I’m thrilled to be joining Day 1s as an executive producer and to be working with Paramount+, Matthew Vaughn, Damian Lewis and such an incredible cast and crew,” said Henry. “This is a project with real heart and I’m excited for audiences to see it. It’s also a welcome change to finally be on the same team as Cristiano after so many battles on the pitch.”

Added Lewis, “Day 1s is a show about friendship and football. I’m excited to be in the starting line-up. Can’t wait for kick-off.”

Vaughn is repped by WME and Johnson Shapiro. Mazer is with CAA LBI Entertainment and Davis Law Group. Lewis is repped by Markham, Froggatt & Irwin and Range Media Partners. Henry is with DoubleD Sports. Thykier is repped by Del Shaw.