In the high-pressure world of professional football, where hypermasculinity reigns supreme, the idea of a gay footballer has long been an unspoken taboo. But as the world evolves, so too does the landscape of sports media, with series like Armour aiming to rewrite the narrative and give the LGBTQ+ community a much-needed seat at the table.
This isn’t just any sports drama. Armour, a web series centered around a Premier League footballer’s journey through the painful process of coming out, is being guided by one of the few openly gay professional footballers on the planet, Josh Cavallo. Cavallo, who came out publicly in 2021, has been an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ representation in sports and is bringing his unique perspective to the production.
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In an exclusive chat with Attitude, Cavallo shared his enthusiasm for Armour’s mission, calling the project an opportunity to share stories that haven’t been told before. “There’s never been an openly gay footballer actively playing in the English Premier League, and I understand how challenging navigating that environment can be,” he explained. It’s a world where secrecy is not only preferred—it’s almost essential. And yet, Armour dares to question that silence.
A Raw Look at Coming Out
The series, which stars Jordan Luke Gage as Harry Slade, a fictional gay international footballer whose life unravels after his private sexts end up in the tabloids, promises to explore the nuances of being a closeted professional athlete. It’s a timely and necessary exploration, given the tragic story of Justin Fashanu, the first and only openly gay male Premier League player, whose career was marred by backlash and discrimination before his untimely death.
Armour’s premise isn’t just about the explosive moment of coming out; it’s about the years leading up to it, the emotional toll, and the overwhelming weight of keeping a secret. Cavallo sees himself in Harry Slade. “The feeling of living two lives and slowly realizing you can’t keep doing that forever,” he said. Armour aims to be an authentic portrayal of the internal conflict many LGBTQ+ athletes face, emphasizing that coming out is not a singular, dramatic moment—it’s a process, one that unfolds over time.
“I was drawn to the project because it places a gay footballer at the centre for the first time and sends a powerful message to those watching and playing in silence,” Cavallo added. It’s not just about entertainment—it’s about visibility, and for so many young players in the system, it’s about seeing someone who looks like them, who feels like them, and who might one day be them.
Bringing Authenticity to the Table in ‘Armour’
Cavallo’s role in the series goes beyond consultation. While he won’t be appearing on screen, his involvement is crucial in shaping the authenticity of the story. He plans to work closely with Gage, the actor playing Harry Slade, to bring depth to the character. “We’ll talk about my experiences, his character, and the journey Harry takes,” Cavallo said, “I’m excited to help him bring authenticity to the role.”
The series also delves into the complexities of the football industry, where player image and public perception are everything. For Cavallo, the need for authenticity comes from his own journey. He’s lived it—the fear, the pressure, the moments of doubt. And now, through Armour, he’s committed to helping make sure that young athletes see themselves reflected in a way that is both truthful and empowering.
A Powerful Message for Fans and Players
Created by Tim Reynard, Armour is designed not only to entertain but to inspire. “With Armour, we want to tell a story that’s raw, authentic and filled with hope—not just for the queer fans craving an idol, but for the young players coming up the ranks who need a role model,” Reynard said.
Reynard, a Yorkshireman with a lifelong passion for football, was also motivated by his own experience of growing up gay in a world where football didn’t reflect his reality. “I rarely saw myself reflected in it,” he admitted. With Armour, he hopes to change that—for those who grew up like him, and for a new generation of players who might be waiting for a hero to show them it’s possible to be both gay and a footballer.
The series, which will be available on YouTube and consists of 10 episodes, each 10 minutes long, promises to be easily accessible, ensuring that viewers from all walks of life can tune in and see this vital narrative unfold. While filming is set to begin next spring, the release date has yet to be confirmed.
A Call for Change
With sports figures like Cavallo leading the charge, and with projects like Armour on the horizon, the future is looking brighter for LGBTQ+ representation in football. However, the journey is far from over. As Cavallo aptly put it, coming out in football has been a “powerful” experience for him, but it has also shown him how much further the sport—and society—still have to go.
In the meantime, Armour stands as a bold step in the right direction, offering hope, inspiration, and a much-needed narrative shift for anyone who has ever struggled with living in the closet. For Cavallo, this is more than just another TV show—it’s a call to action, a statement that gay footballers, and queer athletes in general, deserve their moment in the spotlight. And hopefully, Armour will be the first of many stories that take us closer to a world where athletes of all sexualities can feel celebrated, rather than silenced.
As Cavallo put it: “I’m excited to help him bring authenticity to the role,” and we, the fans, are equally excited to watch it unfold.
Source: Deadline