Imagine your favorite “enemies-to-lovers” romance, but set on the pitch, around the rush of the World Cup, and woven into the lives of queer women athletes who crave more than just victory. That’s the world Meryl Wilsner builds in Cleat Cute, and now it’s stepping off the pages and into production as a TV adaptation!
Wilsner is a Michigan-born contemporary romance author whose work centers on queer women finding love, passion, and empowerment. Their books include Something to Talk About, Mistakes Were Made, Cleat Cute, and, more recently, My Best Friend’s Honeymoon.
With a voice described as “happy endings for queer folks who love women,” the author blends humor, heart, and heat in a way that makes everything feel personal and alive.
In Cleat Cute, the high-stakes arena of professional women’s soccer frames a love story that moves fast, hits hard, and keeps things playful. Sports romance is still a niche genre, especially when it comes to queer protagonists, and this book caught attention—not just for its heat, but for how genuinely it portrays friendship, rivalry, ambition, and identity.
When news broke that a Cleat Cute TV series adaptation was in development, the reaction wasn’t just “finally”—it was “yes, this one deserves it.”
On April 17, 2024, it was announced that WNBA legend Sue Bird and soccer icon Megan Rapinoe had acquired the rights to adapt the book for the screen. With athletes at the helm, there’s every reason to believe this series will lean into authenticity—both on and off the field.
That authenticity matters because Cleat Cute isn’t just another rom-com; it’s a story that champions queer sports culture, rivalry turned into respect, and the beauty of working together instead of competing alone. The TV version promises to bring that world to life, putting the uniforms, the field, the locker room, and the emotional stakes in front of a broader audience.
What will be the Plot of the Cleat Cute TV Series?
The heart of Cleat Cute lies in two women: veteran national-team star Grace Henderson and rising rookie Phoebe Matthews.
Grace has had the spotlight for years; Phoebe is the rookie who comes out of nowhere and challenges both Grace’s place and her identity. Their relationship begins in rivalry, evolves into attraction, and gets complicated by fame, injury, competition, and each other.
On screen, expect the adaptation to lean not just into the romance between the two leads, but into the wider world they inhabit: the professional sports setting, locker-room alliances, public expectations, and the internal pressure both women face.
It’s the kind of story where love is real, but so are ambition and the fear of losing your place.
In converting from book to show, the series has the opportunity to give space to supporting characters and to the dynamics of a team, a sport, and a queer community within that world.
If you haven’t yet read the book, here’s the official synopsis so you know exactly what to expect from the book and the upcoming TV adaptation:
Grace Henderson has been a star of the US Women’s National Team for ten years, even though she’s only 26. But when she’s sidelined with an injury, a bold new upstart, Phoebe Matthews, takes her spot. Phoebe is everything Grace isn’t—a gregarious jokester who plays with a joy that Grace lost somewhere along the way.
The last thing Grace expects is to become friends with benefits with this class clown she sees as her rival.
Phoebe Matthews has always admired Grace’s skill and was star-struck to be training alongside her idol. But she quickly finds herself looking at Grace as more than a mere teammate. After one daring kiss, she’s hooked. Grace is everything she has been waiting to find.
As the World Cup approaches and Grace works her way back from injury, the women decide to find a way to play together instead of vying for the same position. Except, when they are off the field, Grace is worried she’s catching feelings, while Phoebe thinks they are dating.
As the tension between them grows, will both players realize they care more about their relationship than making the roster?
Casting & Production Updates:
In April 2024, the rights for Meryl Wilsner’s “Cleat Cute” were officially acquired by A Touch More, the production company of Sue Bird & Megan Rapinoe, in partnership with Future Shack Entertainment.
Meryl Wilsner will serve as one of the executive producers to ensure that the elements that made her book such a huge success are retained in the TV version as well.
There is no publicly announced network, streaming partner, cast, or release date yet. The project is still in early development, but the involvement of professional athletes-turned-producers and a book with strong fan momentum make this a series to look forward to.
Cleat Cute TV Series Release Date:
As of now, there is no confirmed release date for the Cleat Cute TV series. With rights acquired in 2024 and production seemingly still in development, a realistic window for release would likely be 2026 or later.
However, that’s not an official estimate because a lot goes into adapting a book into a TV series, and if some issues arise, the release might get pushed back several years. Hopefully, that won’t be the case.
Therefore, it’s best to wait for an official announcement from either the author or the production company.
Should You Read the Book Instead?
If you enjoy romance with real emotion, vivid settings, and queer representation at the center, then you should absolutely read Cleat Cute, as it is a great book to get into this genre.
The novel provides you with full access to the characters’ inner worlds—things a TV show may streamline or condense. Once you’ve established that foundation, watching the adaptation becomes even richer: you’ll bring context, spot adaptation choices, and have a deeper connection to the story as it unfolds on screen.
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