Jude Law is set to play legendary former Liverpool manager Bill Shankly in a new TV series. Written by Jack Thorne, the acclaimed writer behind Adolescence, the show will focus on Shankly's success at Anfield, where he transformed Liverpool into a global footballing powerhouse.
Shankly's Legacy at Anfield
Liverpool chairman Tom Werner believes the series could become like The Crown and follow the club beyond Shankly's reign in further seasons. Under the Scot, who passed away in 1981, Liverpool were promoted from the old Second Division and went on to win three First Division titles, two FA Cups, four Charity Shields and one UEFA Cup during his 15-year reign on Merseyside.
Werner told Deadline, which broke the news of Law's casting: "It's a story about family and relationships through the lens of a football club. My feeling is, if you do nothing more in that first episode than show 50,000 people singing You'll Never Walk Alone, I defy anyone who won't be moved by that one scene."
Cast and Production Details
Law, a BAFTA winner and two-time Oscar nominee, supports one of Liverpool's Premier League rivals, Tottenham. The 53-year-old is also a fan of cricket.
Shankly's granddaughter, Karen Gill, is involved alongside production company Box To Box Films. Filming will take place in Liverpool and at Anfield, giving the series an authentic feel.
Gill commented: "I think it's a wonderful way to share the story of my grandad's time at LFC. Anybody who knows anything about the club knows what it meant to Bill Shankly. This is going to be a must watch for all Liverpool fans and it's a privilege to have the chance now to showcase his story to the wider world. I'm looking forward to seeing how this project unfolds and being a part of it."
Honouring the City and the Club
Thorne added: "I'm excited to be telling this incredible story and it's an honour to be working alongside A24 and Liverpool Football Club. Our goal is to focus not just on the club, but on the city itself - because, and this is one thing Bill Shankly made sure, the club belongs to the city and the city belongs to the club. We have a chance with this show to celebrate both a magnificent football club and a magnificent city, whilst being honest about the struggles of the 1960s and 1970s in one of our industrial heartlands. We hope to honour the fans, to the city, and the legacy of Liverpool FC in bringing its story to life."
