Game. Set. Legacy. Serena Williams is bringing her championship mindset behind the scenes as executive producer for Carrie Soto Is Back, a series adaptation of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s bestselling tennis novel.
Written and executive produced by Amanda Kate Shuman (The Wheel of Time, Berlin Station), Carrie Soto Is Back follows the rise, fall, and defiant return of tennis legend Carrie Soto. Known more for her drive than her likability, Carrie retires on top — the best the sport has ever seen. But six years later, a new powerhouse, Nicki Chan, threatens to take her crown. So at 37, with her father back as coach and an ex-lover named Bowe Huntley complicating things, Carrie picks up the racket for one last swing at greatness.
Joining Serena on the production side are Caroline Currier (via Nine Two Six Productions), author Taylor Jenkins Reid, Brad Mendelsohn (Circle Management + Production), and the teams at Picturestart and Fifth Season.
Netflix is developing the limited series with Fifth Season and Picturestart and while Carrie Soto isn’t directly based on Williams, Reid has been open about how the Williams sisters shaped her view of tennis.
“My incredible respect for the Williams sisters is part of what makes me interested in tennis,” Reid shared when the novel dropped in 2022. “I wouldn’t write a book about tennis without the influence of just the absolute glory that has been their journey — but also specifically Serena’s quest to get as many Grand Slam titles as she has managed to do.”
And now, that influence is coming full circle. With Williams in the EP seat, the series is expected to be loosely inspired by her legendary career and cultural impact. This marks another power move for Serena, who recently executive produced In the Arena: Serena Williams and, alongside Venus, King Richard — the Oscar-winning film centered on their early years in Compton and the man who coached them: their father.
No word yet on casting or release dates, but one thing’s clear — Carrie Soto may be fiction, but she’s stepping onto the court with very real greatness behind her.