Dwayne Johnson’s Hit Series Is Now Climbing The Netflix Charts
Swapping out wrestling rings and action-packed movie sets for the high-stakes world of sports management, Dwayne Johnson flexes his acting muscles (alongside those other very real muscles) in HBO’s acclaimed series, Ballers.
Originally lighting up HBO with its sizzling drama and sports-centric thrills, the show has now found a new home on Netflix, ready to tackle and entertain a whole new roster of binge-watchers.
Dive into the often tumultuous world of professional football, with Johnson’s character navigating not just touchdown passes, but also the intricate dance of player politics, money moves, and personal scores. Ready to huddle up with The Rock for a play? Netflix is your field now!
Dwayne Johnson’s Ballers was originally on HBO but has made its way to Netflix where it is a hit
Ballers is a dynamic exploration of the glamorous yet volatile world of professional football, not from the perspective of the games themselves, but the off-field drama – the deals, dilemmas, and the personal demons players and their managers wrestle with. This isn’t just a show about sports; it’s a deep dive into the choices, ambitions, and repercussions in the lives of those associated with the National Football League.
Spanning five tantalizing seasons from 2015 to 2019, the series predominantly revolves around Spencer Strasmore, an ex-NFL player turned financial manager. Played with charm and depth by Dwayne Johnson, Strasmore grapples with his past mistakes, current financial struggles, and the demanding world of managing the finances and public image of current NFL players.
The glitz and glamour of Miami serve as the backdrop, providing the perfect setting for a series filled with fast cars, big yachts, larger-than-life parties, and even bigger egos.
In Ballers, Dwayne Johnson is joined by Rob Corddry and John David Washington
Among the ensemble cast, notable co-stars include Rob Corddry as Joe Krutel, a financial advisor and Spencer’s business partner; John David Washington (in an early role) as Ricky Jerret, a competitive player with a tumultuous personal life; and Omar Benson Miller as Charles Greane, a former player navigating the challenges of retirement and a new career.
The series, the whole, received positive reviews from critics, sitting at 81 percent on Rotten Tomatoes throughout its run. While it wasn’t one of the award darling series, it had a fanbase that was drawn in by the flash and kept tight because the stories worked over the long term. That’s no easy feat when it comes to sports series, but Dwayne Johnson and Ballers definitely pulled that off.
Throughout its run, Ballers boasted an array of guest appearances, often featuring real-life athletes and sports personalities to lend an authentic touch to its storytelling. From players like Terrell Suggs and Antonio Brown to sports commentators and analysts, the show brilliantly blurred the lines between fiction and reality, offering audiences a voyeuristic peek into the lives of their sports heroes.
Of course, a big part of that is Dwayne Johnson’s utterly magnetic presence on both the big and small screen. He’s been able to bring the blockbusters over the years and even the misses (like Black Adam) didn’t suffer from not going big. If anything, that one went just too big with too little to back it up.
Dwayne Johnson Has A Number Of Big Budget Productions Coming
But for Dwayne Johnson to essentially carry a television series over a five-season span is a testament to the story but also the dude himself. And he has a number of new, big budget, projects in the works coming down the pike.
There will be a number of sequels and franchise additions with San Andreas 2, Fast X: Part 2, Red Notice 2, Jungle Cruise 2, and a Moana live-action remake.
Plus, there’s The King, Big Trouble in Little China, Doc Savage, and Red One which are all at various stages of development.
In essence, Ballers is not just for football aficionados but for anyone who enjoys tales of ambition, camaraderie, betrayal, and redemption, all set in the sun-soaked playground of Miami. With Dwayne Johsnon leading the charge, this series ensures that every episode is a touchdown.
