Swagger is a sports drama in the Apple TV+ series created by Reggie Rock Bythewood. Loosely inspired by the real-life experiences of NBA player Kevin Durant, the Apple TV+ series explores the world of youth basketball through the players and their families and all the people involved in making the youngster’s dream come true. Swagger stars Solomon Irama, Tessa Ferrer, Quvenzhané Wallis, Shinelle Azoroh, O’Seah Jackson Jr., Caleel Harris, Tristan Wilds, Isaiah Hill, James Bingham, and Ozie Nzeribe. So, if you loved Swagger and all of its drama and a look into the world of sports here are some similar shows you should check out next.
All American (Netflix & Rent on Prime Video)
Inspired by the real-life of pro football player Spencer Paysinger, All American is a sports drama that will show you the story behind the legend just like Swagger did. Created by April Blair, The CW drama follows the story of a rising high school football player from South L.A., who gets scouted to play for Beverly Hill High School. As he makes the move on his coach’s advice Spencer and his family struggle to adjust to the Beverly Hills life. All American stars Daniel Ezra in the lead role with Bre-Z, Greta Onieogou, Samantha Logan, Michael Evans Behling, Cody Christian, Kariman Westbrook, Monét Mazur, Taye Diggs, and Chelsea Tavares starring in supporting roles.
All American: Homecoming (Netflix & Rent on Prime Video)
All American: Homecoming is a spin-off series of the popular All American sports drama and it fits in the same genre. Created by Nkechi Okoro Carroll, The CW series follows the story of Simone Hicks, as she leaves her boyfriend and Los Angeles and moves to Atlanta to attend Bringston University to become a pro tennis player. All American: Homecoming also follows the story of Damon Sims, a fellow student with a dream to play baseball for the university. All American: Homecoming stars Geffri Maya in the lead role with Peyton Alex Smith, Kelly Jenrette, Cory Hardrict, Sylvester Powell, Camille Hyde, Mitchell Edwards, Netta Walker, and Rhole Ivy King starring in supporting roles.
Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty (Max & Prime Video Add-On)
Just like Swagger Max’s Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty shows us the birth of a legend. Created by Max Borenstein and Jim Hecht, the sports drama series is based on the book Showtime: Magic, Kareem, Riley, and the Los Angeles Lakers Dynasty of the 1980s by Jeff Pearlman and it follows a dramatized version of the personal and professional life of the team members of Lakers in the 80s. Winning Time was sadly canceled after its second season but the its no reason not to watch the first two seasons that are out there because they are brilliant. Winning Time stars John C. Riley, Quincy Isaiah, Jason Clarke, Adrien Brody, Gaby Hoffmann, Tracy Letts, Jason Segel, Julianne Nicholson, and Hadley Robinson.
Ballers (Netflix, Max & Prime Video Add-On)
Ballers is Entourage but instead of Hollywood stars, it’s about football players. Created by Steve Levinson, the sports comedy series follows the story of Former NFL player Spencer Strasmore, who now works as a financial manager for younger NFL players in Miami, Florida. Ballers stars Dwayne Johnson in the lead role with Serinda Swan, John David Washington, Arielle Kebbel, Omar Benson Miller, Jazmyn Simon, Rob Corddry, London Brown, and Catherine Haena Kim starring in supporting roles.
Friday Night Lights (Prime Video, Netflix & Hulu)
Friday Night Lights is simply one of the best and most popular sports dramas in the history of television. Based on a non-fiction 1990 book titled Friday Night Lights: A Town, a Team, and a Dream by H.G. Bissinger and adapted for television by Peter Berg, the sports drama series is set in the fictional town of Dillion in rural West Texas that leaves and breathes football follows the story of a new coach of the high school football team as he handles all the drama and challenges that come with the job. Friday Night Light stars Kyle Chandler in the lead role with Taylor Kitsch, Connie Britton, Zach Gilford, Aimee Teegarden, Jesse Plemons, Minka Kelly, Gaius Charles, Scott Porter, and Adrianne Palicki starring in supporting roles.
Haikyuu!! (Crunchyroll & Prime Video Add-On)
While Haikyu!! is not a live-action series it does embody everything that sports fans love in a story. Based on a Weekly Shonen Jump manga series by Haruichi Furudate, the sports and slice-of-life anime series follows the story of Hinata, who is a bit short which matters a lot in his life as it becomes a constant hurdle in the way of his dream of being the best volleyball player. When he joins a once-popular high school volleyball team and teams up with his rival and also best friend he starts to overcome some of the challenges that life has put in his way.
Bel-Air (Peacock & Rent on Prime Video)
Based on one of the most iconic sitcoms of all time The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air by Andy and Susan Borowitz, the Peacock original series simply titled Bel-Air is a dramatized version of the sitcom. Developed by Morgan Cooper, Malcolm Spellman, TJ Brady, and Rasheed Newson, Bel-Air follows the story of Will Smith as he moves from the streets of West Philadelphia to the rich society of Bel-Air. The Peacock series stars Jabari Banks in the lead role with Coco Jones, Akira Akbar, Adrian Holmes, Cassandra Freeman, Tatyana Ali, Olly Sholotan, Jazlyn Martin, Jimmy Akingbola, and Simone Joy Jones starring in supporting roles.