Amazon MGM and Universal Unite for Tennis Drama 'Rally' by Julie Plec and Andre Agassi

A New Scripted Series Takes Center Court

As the latest tennis season wraps up, a new project is making waves in the entertainment industry. Amazon MGM Studios, Universal Television, and Entertainment 360 have joined forces with one of the sport’s most iconic figures to create a scripted series set within the high-stakes world of a competitive tennis academy. This upcoming show, titled Rally, promises to bring the intense and often lonely journey of elite athletes to the screen.

The series will be developed by Julie Plec, who will serve as the showrunner. Andre Agassi, a former world number one and one of the most celebrated tennis players in history, will act as an executive producer. The collaboration also includes Guymon Casady from Entertainment 360, who will take on an executive producer role through his company. Julie Plec will also produce the series through her production banner, My So-Called Company, alongside her partner Emily Cummins. Justin Gimelstob, a former professional tennis player, will also contribute as an executive producer.

The Story Behind the Series

Set at an elite tennis academy, Rally follows a group of ambitious young players as they navigate the challenges of their sport. The show explores how the pursuit of greatness in tennis often requires sacrificing personal connections—relationships that might be the only thing that makes winning meaningful.

Guymon Casady, a lifelong tennis fan, came up with the idea after spending time at various tennis academies with his two sons. His experiences inspired him to create a story that captures both the excitement and the emotional toll of competitive sports. After working with Julie Plec’s production company, My So-Called Company, Plec decided to take on the writing responsibilities for the series.

Casady and Entertainment 360 are no strangers to creating successful sports-themed content. They previously served as executive producers for the Apple TV+ series Stick, which stars Owen Wilson as a former PGA golfer turned caddy. The show was recently renewed for a second season. Additionally, they were involved in producing the acclaimed HBO series Game of Thrones.

The Star Power Behind the Project

Andre Agassi brings a wealth of experience and credibility to the project. As a former world number one, he has won 60 career ATP Tour singles titles, including eight Grand Slam titles. He is one of only five players in tennis history to complete the career Grand Slam and win Olympic singles gold. Agassi is also known for his charisma and entertaining personality, which has made him a beloved figure in the sports world.

His memoir, OPEN, provides a glimpse into his early life, including his time at the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Bradenton, Florida. The book also details his journey from being ranked world number one to falling to number 141, and how he used his commitment to education and the Andre Agassi Foundation for Education to inspire his comeback to the top of the rankings.

The Creative Team

Julie Plec, the showrunner, is under an overall deal at Universal Television. She and Emily Cummins, president of her production company, My So-Called Company, have several projects in development across multiple platforms. Their recent work includes the Prime Video series We Were Liars, based on the best-selling novel by E. Lockhart. The show quickly rose to number one worldwide on Prime Video. Prior to that, they worked on The Girls on the Bus for Max, which was inspired by a chapter in Amy Chozick's bestselling book Chasing Hillary.

Plec is also known for creating the entire Vampire Diaries universe, which spanned over 13 years and more than 300 episodes of television.

Justin Gimelstob, another executive producer, had a successful tennis career, reaching world number 63 in singles and number 18 in doubles. He won 17 titles, including the 1998 Australian Open and French Open Mixed Doubles Championships with Venus Williams. After retiring from professional play, Gimelstob transitioned into various roles in sports, including broadcasting, production, talent representation, and brand management.

Looking Ahead

With such a strong creative team and a compelling storyline, Rally is poised to become a standout addition to the television landscape. The series promises to blend the intensity of competitive tennis with the emotional depth of its characters, offering viewers a unique perspective on the sport and the lives of those who dedicate themselves to it.