Since its inception 33 years ago, the Premier League has seen over 5,000 players, but not one footballer has ever felt safe to ‘come out’ as queer. ARMOUR, a short-form scripted drama from DeCantillon Films, intends to address this issue in the world’s first episodic drama to put a gay Premier League player centre stage and send a true message of hope. Pro-footballer and gay activist Josh Cavallo is on board as the show’s ambassador and consultant.
To be shot in Yorkshire and Hampshire, the series stars Jordan Luke Gage and Alexandra Burke. Gage has recently been seen in indie Alchemy of the Word, and as a series regular in Sky series Royal Kill List. His previous television credits also include Cucumber (Channel 4) and Cilla (ITV). Burke is a multi-platinum-selling recording artist who has featured as a guest judge of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK. She received a BIFA nomination for the BFI/BBC Film feature Pretty Red Dress and won a National Film Award for her performance in Paramount+’s Curfew.
Told across 10 x 10-minute episodes on YouTube, the Yorkshire-set LGBTQ+ series will follow Fountains Athletic F.C. rising star Harry Slade (Jordan Luke Gage), whose world is turned upside down after a risky hook-up with another man leads to his nudes and sexts falling into the hands of a tabloid. He must make a decision: risk being outed by the press, or control the narrative and tell the world on his own terms. The series aims to inspire, provoke and entertain, while blazing a trail for conversations we still urgently need to have.
Created by Yorkshire native Tim Reynard, his debut feature Upon the Edge was nominated for Best Film and Director at a BIFA-qualifying festival. He is currently studying at the National Film and Television School. ARMOUR is inspired by Reynard’s own experiences growing up as a closeted gay man with an obsession for football.
Tim Reynard, Showrunner, Lead Writer, Producer says: “As a Yorkshireman, football has always been in my blood. Growing up as a closeted gay man with an obsession for the game, I rarely saw myself reflected in it. With ARMOUR, we want to tell a story that’s raw, authentic and filled with hope - not just for the queer fans craving an idol, but the young players coming up the ranks who need a role model”.
The series is backed by professional gay footballer Josh Cavallo, who made global headlines as the first top-flight male player to ‘come out’ while still playing. He says, "Coming out as a footballer showed me how powerful visibility can be, but it also reminded me how far we still have to go. I’m thrilled to be consulting on the production of ARMOUR, helping to make sure the story feels as real and grounded as possible - both in the script and with the actors”.
Josh Cavallo adds, "With a gay showrunner leading the project, there’s a real authenticity driving it, and the fact it will be free to watch on YouTube makes it accessible to young players everywhere. There are so few role models and authentic stories to look to, and this project has the potential to change that. It feels like the right time, and the right way, to bring a story of hope and authenticity to football."
With the series being shot on location, Chris Hordley, Film Office Manager at Screen Yorkshire, said, “We’re delighted that ARMOUR will be set and filmed in Yorkshire. Our world-class crew, versatile locations and strong production support make the region one of the UK’s most sought-after filming destinations, the perfect home for the ARMOUR story.”
Additional filming takes place at Farnborough International Studios. Rachel Morrison, Head of Studios, says: “We’re delighted to be collaborating with the DeCantillon Films team on their upcoming content series, ARMOUR. We’re committed to championing fresh ideas and supporting innovative projects. By working closely with our partners and local supplier ecosystem, we help productions maximise the opportunities of filming with us during the pilot stage, offering tailored, hands-on support every step of the way. By leveraging our expansive campus and its diverse filming locations, alongside strong connections throughout the local area, we ensure the creative vision is met whilst maintaining a solid foundation at the studios. It’s a pleasure to be working with the ARMOUR team on this project, and we’re excited to see their vision come to life.”
Casting is by Sophie Pearson, whose credits include season three of Netflix’s Top Boy and Taika Waititi’s feature JoJo Rabbit. Alongside Gage and Burke, the regular cast includes Aedan Duckworth (Hollyoaks), Kate James (Past Life), Alex Britt (Black Mirror) and Will FitzGerald (Upon the Edge). Guest stars include actor Theo Walker (Light of My Life) who recently shot to fame through TikTok. Theo recently starred as leading role Sergey Serebrennikov in the LGBTQ+ play Firebird at the King’s Head Theatre.
The writing team includes Hannah Kumari, who co-developed the character of Lorna Evans (portrayed by Alexandra Burke), who becomes the first Black female permanent manager of a men’s club. Kumari's acclaimed play, ENG-ER-LAND, directed by Rikki Beadle-Blair, explores race, identity and football culture; she also wrote the Sky Arts-funded short Devi.
Stephen Gallacher, who directed McDonald & Dodds for ITV, serves as lead director. He worked as 2nd Unit Director on World Productions’ sports limited series for Amazon Prime Video, Fifteen-Love. As well as directing several multi-award winning short films including Harold & Mary, Blackpool and The Stork. Gallacher’s mentor is BAFTA-winning director Peter Hoar, originally through the Directors UK Inspire programme.
Executive producers include William Prince of Level Six Films. William was Operations and Finance Director at Fifth Season-backed Motive Pictures, working on projects including The Woman in the Wall (BBC/Showtime), One Night (Paramount+), Get Millie Black (Channel 4/HBO), and Young Sherlock (Amazon). He subsequently joined Little Island Productions as their COO and Executive Producer on Wheel of Time (Amazon/Sony), before setting up his own label, Level Six Films.
