Starting 5 is an American television documentary series developed for Netflix. It stars National Basketball Association (NBA) players Jimmy Butler, Anthony Edwards, LeBron James, Domantas Sabonis, and Jayson Tatum. Released on October 9, 2024, the series is produced by James' production company Uninterrupted, as well as Omaha Productions and Higher Ground Productions. James' business partner and friend Maverick Carter serves as an executive producer on the series, as does Omaha's Peyton Manning and Higher Ground's Barack and Michelle Obama.[1][2][3]
| Starting 5 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genre | |
| Starring | |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers | |
| Production companies | |
| Original release | |
| Network | Netflix |
| Release | October 9, 2024 |
Development and release
editThe series is produced by Uninterrupted, a media production company founded by LeBron James and Maverick Carter. Omaha Productions and Higher Ground Productions also helped produce Starting 5. Executive producers for the series include Carter, Jamal Henderson, Philip Byron, and Randy Mims (through Uninterrupted); Barack and Michelle Obama, Vinnie Malhotra, and Ethan Lewis (through Higher Ground); and Peyton Manning, Jamie Horowitz, and Sam Pepper (through Omaha).[4] The series was developed for Netflix, which has worked with Uninterrupted and Omaha before on similar sports documentary series such as The Redeem Team and Quarterback.[5] Higher Ground, while having worked with Netflix before, will have Starting 5 be its first sports-related programming to stream on the service.[5]
Susan Ansman, Trishtan Williams, and Peter J. Scalettar serve as directors on the series, with the latter also being the series' showrunner.[5][6]
Set during the 2023–24 NBA season, the series consists of ten 45-minute episodes.[5][7] James, playing for the Los Angeles Lakers, is one of the five players followed throughout the series.[8] The other players followed throughout the series are Jimmy Butler of the Miami Heat, Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Domantas Sabonis of the Sacramento Kings, and Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics.[5]
It was released on October 9, 2024.[7]
References
edit- ^ Zee, Michaela (August 28, 2024). "'Starting 5': LeBron James, Jayson Tatum and Jimmy Butler Among NBA Players Featured in Obamas-Produced Sports Series". Variety. Retrieved August 28, 2024.
- ^ Weprin, Alex (August 28, 2024). "LeBron James, Jayson Tatum, Anthony Edwards to Star in Netflix NBA Docuseries 'Starting 5'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 28, 2024.
- ^ Goldbart, Max (August 28, 2024). "Netflix Confirms Basketball Series From LeBron James, Peyton Manning & The Obamas; Sets October Premiere Date". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 28, 2024.
- ^ "New Netflix sports series 'Starting 5' follows Jimmy Butler, Anthony Edwards, LeBron James, Domantas Sabonis and Jayson Tatum during 2023-24 season". National Basketball Association. August 28, 2024. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e Hudspeth, Christopher (August 28, 2024). "Starting 5 Follows the NBA Season Through the Eyes of Its Biggest Players". Tudum. Netflix. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
- ^ Leib, Mason (August 28, 2024). "New Obama-produced series 'Starting 5' follows LeBron James, other NBA stars throughout season". Good Morning America. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
- ^ a b McDonald, Carrie (August 28, 2024). "LeBron James, Anthony Edwards among NBA stars in 'Starting 5' Netflix series". USA Today. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
- ^ Kreps, Daniel (August 28, 2024). "LeBron James, Jimmy Butler to Feature in Netflix's NBA Docuseries 'Starting 5'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 30, 2024.