Johnny Football: Untamed
Netflix Greenlights Gritty Drama Series Based on the Rise and Fall of Johnny Manziel
In a bold new move blending documentary intensity with dramatic flair, Netflix has officially greenlit Johnny Football: Untamed, a multi-million dollar limited series chronicling the exhilarating, chaotic, and often destructive journey of Texas A&M legend Johnny Manziel. The series, slated for a 2026 premiere, promises to be an unflinching deep dive into the life of one of college football’s most electrifying—and polarizing—figures.
Touted as a spiritual successor to Netflix’s The Last Dance and Quarterback, Untamed will pull back the curtain on the myth and man behind “Johnny Football,” exploring the whirlwind of fame, ego, talent, addiction, and redemption. The series is a hybrid dramatization, blending archival footage, interviews, and a raw, scripted narrative starring rising actor Austin Abrams (from Euphoria) as Manziel.
Executive produced by Emmy-winning documentarian Greg Whiteley (Cheer, Last Chance U) and directed by Cary Fukunaga (True Detective), the series will span six hour-long episodes, each anchored in a pivotal chapter of Manziel’s life. From the glimmering Friday night lights of Kerrville, Texas, to the deafening roar of Kyle Field, the early episodes will chart his meteoric rise—capturing the moment a redshirt freshman redefined what a quarterback could be in the SEC.
Episode 3, tentatively titled The Heisman Curse, centers on Manziel’s 2012 Heisman win—a moment of national triumph that paradoxically marks the beginning of his unraveling. Audiences will see behind the scenes: the late-night partying, the autograph scandal that shook the NCAA, and the behind-closed-doors pressure from NFL scouts. The show doesn’t flinch in portraying Manziel’s fall from grace with the Cleveland Browns, his brief CFL stint, or his struggles with bipolar disorder and substance abuse.
“Johnny is more than a cautionary tale,” says Fukunaga. “He’s a symbol of America’s love affair with raw talent—and how we often destroy the very people we idolize.”
Manziel himself is listed as a consulting producer and has publicly endorsed the show, stating on social media: “This isn’t a redemption arc. This is my story—flaws, fire, and all.” Sources close to the production confirm that Manziel sat for over 20 hours of interviews and offered personal texts, voicemails, and journal entries to help shape the narrative.
The show is expected to feature cameos from high-profile coaches and former teammates, including Kevin Sumlin and Mike Evans, though roles are being cast carefully to avoid sensationalism. There are also rumors of an episode set entirely during Manziel’s lost weekend in Las Vegas—recreated from surveillance footage, witness accounts, and Manziel’s own hazy memories.
With production already underway in Texas and Ohio, Johnny Football: Untamed is shaping up to be one of Netflix’s most provocative sports dramas to date. It’s not just a story about football. It’s about fame, pressure, mental health, and the question at the heart of it all: what happens when a kid becomes a legend before he becomes a man?
