Jude Law may be a Tottenham Hotspur supporter, but the acclaimed actor is preparing to step into the world of Liverpool FC for his next major role. Law is set to portray legendary Liverpool manager Bill Shankly in an upcoming television series written by Adolescence creator Jack Thorne.
Liverpool FC announced in 2024 that it was partnering with A24, the production company behind Beef and Margo’s Got Money Troubles, and Box To Box Films, known for producing Drive to Survive, to bring Shankly’s remarkable story to the screen.
The series will follow Shankly’s transformation of Liverpool from a struggling Second Division side into one of English football’s most successful clubs. Under his leadership, Liverpool secured promotion, won three First Division titles, lifted two FA Cups, claimed four Charity Shields and captured the UEFA Cup.
Set against the backdrop of Liverpool during the vibrant 1960s, the drama will explore a defining chapter in the club’s history, as football success unfolded alongside the city’s flourishing music and cultural scene. The series will also examine how Liverpool developed into a global sporting institution with a vast international following.
Tom Werner, Liverpool FC chairman since 2010 and a veteran television producer whose credits include Roseanne, The Cosby Show and Netflix’s recent A Different World reboot, believes the project could have the lasting appeal of The Crown.
Speaking to Deadline, Werner described the series as a story about family and relationships told through the world of football.
Shankly, affectionately known as “Shanks,” took charge of Liverpool in December 1959 and became one of the most influential figures in the club’s history. He also helped establish “You’ll Never Walk Alone” as Liverpool’s iconic anthem. After guiding the club to FA Cup glory in 1974, he stepped down as manager that year. He died in 1981 at the age of 68.
Werner believes Shankly’s legacy extends far beyond trophies and achievements on the pitch.
“Bill Shankly understood that it wasn’t just about finding the best talent on the team. It was about forging a connection with a fan base,” Werner explained.
He added that Liverpool’s unique relationship with its supporters was one of the qualities that made the club so special. Through the series, the producers hope to capture that bond while exploring the wider cultural influences that shaped the city, including the rise of The Beatles.
Shankly’s granddaughter, Karen Gill, author of The Real Bill Shankly, is also involved in the project. Filming is expected to take place in Liverpool, including at Anfield, the club’s historic home.
Werner has also indicated that the story could extend beyond Shankly’s era if the series proves successful. Future episodes could address the Hillsborough disaster of 1989, when 97 Liverpool supporters ultimately lost their lives following the tragedy at the FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at Hillsborough Stadium in Sheffield. More than 750 people were injured.
Thorne, a Liverpool supporter himself, has written the first two episodes of the series. Werner and his team have already begun discussions with potential broadcasters and streaming platforms as they look to secure a home for the project.
For Werner, the emotional connection between Liverpool and its supporters will be central to the drama. He believes that even a single scene capturing thousands of fans singing “You’ll Never Walk Alone” could make a powerful impression on viewers.
The planned series aims to offer more than a conventional football drama, combining the story of an iconic manager with the people, culture and defining moments that helped shape Liverpool FC into the institution it is today.
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