The success of Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney's Welcome to Wrexham has sparked a wave of celebrity football documentaries, with three new series attempting to replicate the formula. The original show, which follows the Hollywood duo's takeover of Wrexham AFC, has earned eight Primetime Emmy nominations and widespread acclaim, particularly in the United States.
Amazon's Built in Birmingham: Brady and the Blues features NFL legend Tom Brady attempting to revive Birmingham City. The five-part series shows Brady questioning the work ethic of former manager Wayne Rooney, who proved a disastrous appointment. Critics have described the show as unsatisfying, despite its use of Peaky Blinders clips, with Brady's American know-it-all attitude failing to endear him to viewers.
FX's Necaxa, an official spinoff produced by Reynolds and McElhenney, focuses on Mexican club Necaxa and stars Eva Longoria. The series is entirely in Spanish, highlighting Longoria's efforts to reconnect with her Mexican heritage. While it may appeal to fans of Liga MX, it lacks the charm of the original.
The standout among the imitators is ESPN+'s Running of the Wolves, which follows Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos as co-owners of Italian third-division side Campobasso FC. Consuelos, who grew up in Italy and speaks fluent Italian, brings genuine passion to the project, frequently travelling to Italy for meetings and fan engagement. The series captures the authentic spirit of club ownership, making it the most compelling of the new offerings.
