‘Playing the Field’: Everything We Know About the ‘Cleat Cute’ TV Adaptation
What To Know
- Meryl Wilsner’s Cleat Cute adaptation was announced in 2024.
- The 2023 novel follows rivals-turned-lovers on the US Women’s National Soccer Team.
- It landed a streaming service and showrunner in April 2026.
If you’ve found yourself wishing for a sapphic version of Heated Rivalry, you’re in luck. Author Meryl Wilsner’s Cleat Cute is making its way to the small screen! But instead of hockey, you can expect a rivals-to-lovers romance set in the world of professional women’s soccer. In 2024, WNBA star Sue Bird and former U.S. Women’s Soccer captain Megan Rapinoe announced that they would develop Wilsner’s novel into a TV show, but no streamer was attached… until now!
Amazon MGM Studios has scored the adaptation, according to Deadline. It’s also found a showrunner and given the series a new name: Playing the Field. “Having spent most of our lives on teams, we want to celebrate the ways in which relationships, both romantic and platonic, are organically created through sports,” said Bird and Rapinoe, who have been dating since 2016, back in 2024. “Cleat Cute will not shy away from the messiness, occasional frustration, and undeniable beauty that come with loving the game and the players within it.”
Based on the official plot description that came with the announcement, it sounds like Playing the Field will retain the couple’s original vision. So, when will the lesbian romance actually arrive on Prime Video? Who’s making it? Swooon has all the latest updates about Playing the Field’s release date and more.
What is Cleat Cute about?
Wilsner’s 2023 novel revolves around two characters on the U.S. Women’s National Team, so it’s fitting that Rapinoe is involved. On one hand, we have Grace Henderson, the 26-year-old captain, who is benched with an injury. And then there’s 22-year-old Phoebe Matthews, who takes her place, and she’s the “sunshine” to Grace’s “grumpy.” They unexpectedly become friends-with-benefits, though Grace still considers Phoebe her rival. Phoebe, on the other hand, has always idolized the team’s captain. She’s head-over-heels after their first kiss.
Phoebe’s under the impression that they’re dating, while Grace worries that she’s catching feelings. The two spend the book working toward the World Cup, with Grace on the mend after her injury and trying to find a way they can play together rather than replace each other.
According to Deadline, Playing the Field will have a broader scope and is described as an ensemble comedy. The show will follow “the sexy, messy, and exciting lives of four female players on Crescent City, a professional New Orleans women’s soccer team.” Rest assured, it’ll be anchored by Phoebe and Grace’s relationship.
Who is making Cleat Cute?
Sarah Tapscott will helm the series as showrunner, executive producer, and writer. She currently co-executive produces Mindy Kaling‘s upcoming series Not Suitable For Work, and she held the same position on The Sex Lives of College Girls and The Big Leap. She’s also worked on New Girl, Single Parents, and Life in Pieces.
The rest of the executive producing team includes Wilsner, as well as Bird and Rapinoe for their production company, A Touch More. Jeff Wachtel and Jared Berenholz for Future Shack Entertainment, and Camille Bernier-Green and Emily Rasenick are also attached.
So far, A Touch More has made ESPN’s 30 for 30 podcast Pink Card and A Touch More: The Podcast with Vox Media, which Bird and Rapinoe host. In 2025, the company launched the Unstoppable: Stories of Strength short film series on YouTube. Playing the Field will be its first foray into scripted and TV content.
“Sports is a universal language and breeding ground for world-class storytelling,” said Wachtel, per Deadline. As women’s sports captivate audiences around the globe, we’re proud to partner with two of the most iconic athletes of our time, Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird, to bring Meryl Wilsner’s delightful world to life in a bold, sexy, and fun ensemble show.”
Who is in the Cleat Cute cast?
Though the adaptation is in development, it hasn’t reached the casting stage yet. If you’ve already read the book, let us know your dream actors for Grace and Phoebe in the comments section at the end of the page!
When does Cleat Cute come out?
For two years, a network wasn’t officially attached to the project, but the ball is finally rolling in April 2026. There’s no release date yet, but Swooon is keeping an eye out for any Playing the Field-related updates. Make sure to check this page again for any developments!
Cleat Cute, TBA, Prime Video
