How two Hollywood stars are reviving the world's third-oldest football club

Countries & Cities · Published 12 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In 2021, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney completed a £2 million takeover of Wrexham A.F.C. once facing a threat to its very existence. Now, their documentary series captures a high-stakes journey from the fifth tier of English football toward the upper echelons of the league system.

The documentary series, which premiered on FX on August 24, 2022, follows the attempts of actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney to revive Wrexham A.F.C. Established in 1864, this club ranks as the world's third-oldest professional association football team. Before the takeover, the club was managed by the Wrexham Supporter's Trust, a fan-operated company, and was struggling with mismanagement that had previously led to a winding-up order in 2011. The production was inspired by the series Sunderland 'Til I Die. Additionally, Humphrey Ker joined the venture to assist with inside operations.

The takeover, completed in February 2021, saw the duo invest £2 million into the club. The series highlights the complexities of ownership, including the duo's lack of prior experience in sports management and their struggles with the Welsh language. While the show is often irreverent and critical of the co-chairmen, it also explores deeply emotive human stories, ranging from mental health and bereavement to disability and cancer. The show's style is occasionally critical of the owners for their mistakes. It also features the club's women's team from the second season onwards.

Since the takeover, the club's performance has seen a significant upward trajectory. After finishing 20th in the 2019–20 National League, the team rose to 8th place by the 2020–21 season. Following a second-place finish in the 2021–22 season, the club secured promotion to EFL League Two in 2022–23. By the 2024–25 season, the team achieved promotion to the EFL Championship, following a back-to-back promotion to EFL League One during the 2023–24 season. The team's ascent began after they finished 20th in the National League. This momentum eventually led to their successful climb through the divisions.

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