Jude Law to star as Liverpool legend Bill Shankly in new TV series—despite supporting Premier League rivals

Jude Law is set to portray legendary Liverpool manager Bill Shankly in a new television drama chronicling the Anfield club's transformation into a global footballing powerhouse.

The casting of the acclaimed British actor comes with an intriguing twist, as the 53-year-old Hollywood star is a dedicated Tottenham Hotspur supporter—a passion inherited from his grandfather, Eric Law.

"It is a story about family and relationships through the prism of a football club. I feel that if we do nothing else in episode one other than show 50,000 people singing You'll Never Walk Alone, I defy anyone not to be moved by that scene," Liverpool chairman Tom Werner told Deadline.

"Bill Shankly understood it wasn't just about finding the best talent for the team. It was about creating a connection with the fans, and the reason Liverpool is so special to me is because the relationship between the club and the supporters is truly unique," the 76-year-old executive added.

The series is being written by celebrated 47-year-old screenwriter Jack Thorne, looking to follow up on the success of his miniseries Adolescence. A lifelong Liverpool supporter, Thorne has already completed the first two episodes, with negotiations currently underway with various broadcasters and streaming networks.

"We have the opportunity, with this series, to celebrate both a magnificent football club and a magnificent city, while being honest about the hardships of the 1960s and 1970s in one of our industrial heartlands," Thorne highlighted.

The project is being developed with the direct involvement of Shankly's granddaughter, Karen Gill, with filming planned across various locations in Liverpool and at Anfield.

Bill Shankly arrived at Liverpool in 1959 and, by his departure in 1974, had built an extraordinary legacy. During his tenure, he guided the Reds to promotion from the Second Division, three First Division titles, two FA Cups, and four Charity Shields. The crowning achievement of his Anfield reign came in 1973 with victory in the UEFA Cup, completing a memorable league and European double. Shankly passed away in 1981 at the age of 68.