Michelle Monaghan – Picture Credit: John Russo / Netflix
Netflix is working on a new heartfelt sports ensemble drama currently titled “Untitled hockey series” from writer Nick Naveda (Words on Bathroom Walls, My Lovely Wife in the Psych Ward) and showrunner Bridget Bedard (Love Life, Ramy, Transparent). The eight-episode series hails from 21 Laps Entertainment, the production company behind some of Netflix’s biggest movies and series, including Stranger Things, The Adam Project, and All the Light We Cannot See.
Set in the small, working-class town of South Dorothy, Minnesota, the series centers on a high school hockey program with a storied history of producing state championships and NHL stars. But when a devastating bus crash takes the lives of several players and their legendary coach, “Sully” Sullivan, the community turns to his widow, Harper Sullivan, played by True Detective and The White Lotus star Michelle Monaghan, to lead a new team of “battered and broken” young men. What follows is an emotional and uplifting story about loss, resilience, and the healing power of teamwork.
Behind the camera, Bedard serves as showrunner and executive producer, while Naveda will create and executive produce the series. They’re joined by Stranger Things and The Perfect Couple producer Shawn Levy, along with Dan Levine (Arrival, Shadow and Bone) and Robert Atwood (Monarch: Legacy of Monsters) for 21 Laps. Waves and It Comes at Night director Trey Edward Shults will direct the first two episodes and executive produce, with The Perfect Couple’s Moera Ainai producing.
Untitled Hockey Drama Series Creative Team – Pictured: Nick Naveda, Shawn Levy, Bridget Bedard, Robert Atwood, Trey Edward Shults and Dan Levin
As mentioned, this hockey series marks the latest project in Netflix’s ongoing collaboration with 21 Laps, which works with Netflix on a first-look deal, which has been behind some of the streamer’s most successful titles, including Stranger Things — one of Netflix’s biggest shows ever — and The Adam Project, ranked among the platform’s top five most-watched films. On their development series slate right now includes The Moon Represents My Heart, a Chestnut Springs adaptation, The Forgotten Realms, and Yasuke.
Nick Naveda shared his excitement about bringing the story to life, in a statement released today saying, “I’ve carried South Dorothy and its people in my heart for as long as I can remember. To finally bring that world to life with my Grizzly family at 21 Laps and Netflix is nothing short of a dream come true.”
Shawn Levy added, “This show has long been a 21 Laps favorite and one of the best pieces we’ve had the privilege of developing and supporting. With its visceral sports backdrop and a story grounded in deep humanity, we cannot wait to bring it to a global audience.”
Production on the series, with the working title The Sticks, is set to begin in Vancouver on January 9th, 2026, and run through to early May 2026, according to production sources.
