Jude Law’s next role is a Liverpool legend: Actor to play Bill Shankly in new series. Here's what we know

Jude Law is taking on his next big role in the football world as he steps into the boots of legendary manager Bill Shankly who is credited with turning Liverpool FC into one of the most successful clubs in Europe. The upcoming series, written by Adolescence creator Jack Thorne, will revisit a defining era in the club’s history, when Shankly helped turn a struggling Second Division side into a dominant force. Backed by A24 and Box To Box Films, the project will bring Liverpool’s remarkable rise and Shankly’s legacy to the screen.

Jude Law to play Liverpool FC legend Bill Shankly

The Black Rabbit star will portray Shankly in a series from Jack Thorne, the writer behind Adolescence. Liverpool FC announced in 2024 that it was collaborating with A24, the production company behind Beef and Margo’s Got Money Troubles, and Box To Box Films, known for Drive To Survive, on the project.

According to Deadline, the drama will follow Shankly’s rise at Liverpool, charting how he helped the club return to the top flight before leading it to multiple domestic and European honours. The story will unfold against the backdrop of 1960s Liverpool, a period marked by a flourishing music scene and wider cultural change.


The series will also trace the club’s transformation from a struggling team into a global sporting institution with more than 400 million followers worldwide.

How Bill Shankly transformed Liverpool FC

Shankly, a Scottish footballer and manager, took charge of Liverpool in 1959 while the club was languishing in the Second Division. Liverpool had spent five seasons outside the top flight and had recently suffered an FA Cup defeat to non-league Worcester City.

Before joining Liverpool, Shankly had managed Carlisle United, Grimsby Town, Workington and Huddersfield Town. His playing career began at Carlisle United, while his time at Preston North End established him as a full Scotland international. Known as a hardworking and disciplined right half, he carried those principles into management, as per information on National Football Museum.

When he arrived at Liverpool, Shankly believed the team lacked sufficient talent and that both the stadium and training facilities needed significant improvement. His close working relationships with backroom staff, including Bob Paisley, Joe Fagan and Rueben Bennett, would become an important part of the club’s subsequent success.

The training methods and signings that have driven Liverpool’s revival

Shankly began to remake Liverpool with a hard training regime, focused on fitness, keeping the ball and teamwork. His methods included competitive five-a-side games and a training exercise known as the “sweat box”, in which players completed intense two-minute passing drills inside a confined space to improve their fitness and ball control.

He also made important decisions in the transfer market. Despite reported tensions with Liverpool’s board over his plans for the club, Shankly brought in players such as Ron Yeats and Ian St John. Meanwhile, emerging talents including Gerry Byrne and Roger Hunt helped strengthen the team.

The results soon followed. Liverpool returned to the First Division for the 1962-63 season and won the league title in 1964. The following year, Shankly guided the club to its first FA Cup triumph. Roger Hunt described the side as “the fittest team in the country”, reflecting the impact of Shankly’s emphasis on conditioning and preparation. His work also helped younger players develop into international footballers.

The trophies that defined Shankly’s Liverpool era

Under Shankly, Liverpool won three First Division league titles, two FA Cups, four Charity Shields and the UEFA Cup. The 1973 UEFA Cup triumph was particularly significant, making Liverpool the first English club to win both the domestic league title and a European trophy in the same season.

The team lifted the FA Cup for a second time in 1974. Shankly then surprised the football world by announcing his retirement shortly afterwards, bringing an influential chapter in Liverpool’s history to a close. His legacy remains closely associated with the club’s rise to prominence, making his story the centrepiece of the upcoming drama.

Jude Law’s notable films and television roles

Law rose to international prominence with his performance in Anthony Minghella’s The Talented Mr. Ripley, released in 1999. The role earned him a BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role and an Academy Award nomination in the same category.

He went on to star in Steven Spielberg’s A.I. Artificial Intelligence, released in 2001, Sam Mendes’ Road to Perdition and Minghella’s Cold Mountain, which brought him further Academy Award and BAFTA nominations. His filmography also includes Closer, The Holiday, Contagion, Hugo, Side Effects, The Grand Budapest Hotel among others.

Law is also known for playing Dr Watson in Sherlock Holmes, and Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, young Albus Dumbledore in Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald and Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore, and Yon-Rogg in Captain Marvel. His television credits include Star Wars: Skeleton Crew in 2024. Alongside screen acting, Law has appeared in West End and Broadway productions, including Les Parents terribles in 1994, Hamlet in 2010 and Anna Christie in 2011. These performances earned him two Tony Award nominations. In 2007, he received the Honorary César.