Jude Law to play Liverpool legend Bill Shankly in A24 series from Jack Thorne
Representative image: WikiImages / Pixabay
Jude Law has been cast as Liverpool manager Bill Shankly in an A24 series written by Adolescence co-creator Jack Thorne, reports said on October 16, 2026; no date or platform yet.
What Happened
Jude Law has been cast as Bill Shankly, the manager who turned Liverpool Football Club into champions of England, in a television series from the studio A24 written by Jack Thorne, the writer behind the drama Adolescence, according to reports published on Friday, October 16, 2026. The casting was first reported by the trade publication Deadline. Thorne has written the first two episodes, and the production company Box To Box Films is working with A24. Liverpool FC is involved in the project. No broadcaster, streaming platform or release date has been announced.
Key Facts
- Jude Law will play Bill Shankly, the former Liverpool FC manager.
- The series is written by Jack Thorne, who has written the first two episodes.
- A24 is producing with Box To Box Films; the project has been in development since late 2024.
- The story follows Shankly's rise with Liverpool from the Second Division to champions of England.
- It also aims to portray 1960s Liverpool, including the city's music and art scene and the club's culture.
- Liverpool FC is involved, as is Karen Gill, Shankly's granddaughter and author of the book The Real Bill Shankly.
- No premiere date or platform has been announced.
Why It Matters
The project brings together a well-known actor, the writer of Adolescence and an established studio. Putting Law in the lead signals that the producers see this as a major drama rather than a niche sports story.
Liverpool FC's supporters give the subject a ready audience, and reports describe Shankly as a club legend. The series' focus on 1960s Liverpool, with its music and art scene, suggests it will reach beyond football into a broader portrait of a city at a time of cultural change.
The involvement of the club and of Shankly's granddaughter matters for authenticity. It suggests access to the club's history and the family's perspective, which can make a biographical drama more accurate and more acceptable to fans who care deeply about how their heroes are shown. Thorne has said that a scene of tens of thousands of people singing You'll Never Walk Alone would be enough to move viewers.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Lead | Jude Law as Bill Shankly |
| Writer | Jack Thorne |
| Producers | A24, Box To Box Films |
| Story | Shankly's rise with Liverpool, 1960s Liverpool |
| Release | Not announced |
Impact
Short-term: The casting adds a high-profile football title to the list of prestige dramas in development. Fans can expect more casting news before filming begins.
Long-term: If successful, the series could encourage more drama built on football history and real club figures, and bring Shankly's story to younger viewers who know Liverpool only from its recent years.
Who is affected: Liverpool FC and its supporters worldwide, fans of Jude Law and Jack Thorne's work, A24 and Box To Box Films, and viewers interested in sport and British social history.
Key Takeaway
Jude Law will play Bill Shankly in an A24 series written by Jack Thorne about Liverpool's rise and the city in the 1960s, with the club involved but no release date yet.
Questions and Answers
Who will Jude Law play in the new A24 series?
Jude Law will play Bill Shankly, the Liverpool FC manager who led the club from the Second Division to the league title.
Who is writing the Bill Shankly series?
Jack Thorne, the writer behind Adolescence, is writing it and has completed the first two episodes.
When will the Bill Shankly series be released?
No release date, broadcaster or streaming platform has been announced yet.
Is Liverpool FC involved in the series?
Yes. Liverpool FC is involved, along with Shankly's granddaughter Karen Gill, author of The Real Bill Shankly.
Disclaimer: Prepared by the Peepals newsroom from publicly available sources with AI assistance. Information is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication and may change. Images may be representative. Not professional advice. Report an error via our contact page.
Sourced and fact-checked by the Peepals Global Editorial Team
Reported, fact-checked and published by the Peepals Global Editorial Team.
