Emilia Jones and Alessandro Nivola Sign On for Netflix’s New Women’s Soccer Series ‘The 99’ers’
Emilia Jones and Alessandro Nivola Join Netflix’s ‘The 99’ers’
Emilia Jones and Alessandro Nivola are set to join Zoey Deutch and Emily Bader in the upcoming Netflix drama The 99’ers, directed by Nicole Kassell. The film explores the pivotal role of the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team during the 1999 World Cup.
Jones will portray Julie Foudy, a key member of the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team for 17 years who played as a midfielder and served as both co-captain and captain. Nivola will take on the role of Tony DiCicco, the team’s head coach from 1994 to 1999, under whose leadership the team achieved global fame by winning the World Cup in 1999.
Deutch is set to play Marla Messing, the pioneering soccer executive who oversaw the successful 1999 World Cup, while Bader will portray renowned forward Mia Hamm.
The 99’ers is based on Jeré Longman’s 2000 book, The Girls of Summer: The U.S. Women’s Soccer Team and How It Changed the World. The film will chronicle the team’s dramatic victory against China in the World Cup final, a match that captivated millions and changed the landscape of women’s sports.
The screenplay was crafted by Katie Lovejoy, Dana Stevens, and Peter Hedges, with initial writing contributions from Jill Mazursky and Jamee Decio. Liza Chasin is producing for 3Dot Productions, alongside Hayley Stool and Ross Greenburg. Marla Messing, Jill Mazursky, and Krista Smith will serve as executive producers.
Recently, Jones has garnered praise for her performance in the HBO crime drama Task. She will also be seen next in A24’s biopic Tony, focused on Anthony Bourdain. Nivola is currently featured as Calvin Klein in FX’s Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette and has appeared in Brady Corbet’s The Brutalist and Pedro Almodóvar’s The Room Next Door.
This film promises to highlight a significant chapter in sports history, celebrating the achievements and contributions of the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team.
