'Cleat Cute' adaptation 'Playing the Field' moves forward at Amazon

Amazon MGM develops 'Playing the Field', a queer soccer rom-com led by Sarah Tapscott and top producers

Amazon MGM Studios is expanding its original content slate with Playing the Field, a queer sports romantic comedy series based on Cleat Cute, the bestselling novel by Meryl Wilsner. 

According to Deadline, the project highlights the studio’s continued push toward inclusive and diverse storytelling.

Sarah Tapscott has been tapped as showrunner, writer, and executive producer. She will work alongside executive producers Jeff Wachtel and Jared Berenholz, as well as sports stars Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe under their A Touch More banner. Additional producers include Camille Bernier-Green, Emily Rasenick, and Wilsner.

The series follows four women playing for Crescent City, a fictional professional soccer team in New Orleans, blending sports, romance, and comedy. Central to the story is the evolving relationship between rookie Phoebe Matthews and team captain Grace Henderson, delivering a classic will-they-won’t-they dynamic.

First published in September 2023, Cleat Cute became notable for its queer sports romance narrative. Wilsner is known for writing contemporary romance novels focused on women-loving-women relationships, including Something to Talk About and Mistakes Were Made.

Tapscott brings experience from projects like The Sex Lives of College Girls and The Big Leap, positioning her to lead the adaptation. As demand for LGBTQ-focused content grows, Playing the Field is expected to resonate with both romance and sports audiences on streaming platforms.