Michelle Monaghan to Lead Netflix’s New Minnesota High School Hockey Drama
Netflix is skating into classic sports-drama territory with a new series set against Minnesota’s beloved high school hockey scene — and Michelle Monaghan is stepping into the spotlight as its emotional center.
The eight-episode drama, still awaiting an official title, unfolds in the fictional town of South Dorothy, a place known for producing a conveyor belt of state champions and future NHL stars under its legendary coach, “Sully” Sullivan. But when a devastating bus crash kills several players and Sully himself, the town is left heartbroken — and directionless.
Monaghan, whose credits range from Mission: Impossible III to True Detective and The White Lotus, will star as Harper Sullivan, Sully’s widow. Suddenly thrust into the role of coach, she must guide a shattered group of teenagers while navigating her own grief. What follows is a story about rebuilding — a team, a town, and a sense of hope.
Behind the scenes, Netflix has assembled an impressive creative lineup. The show is created by Nick Naveda, with acclaimed writer-producer Bridget Bedard (Transparent, Ramy, Love Life) serving as showrunner. Trey Edward Shults, known for his emotionally charged filmmaking (Waves, It Comes at Night), will direct the first two episodes. The project is also backed by Shawn Levy’s 21 Laps Entertainment — the same banner behind Stranger Things and All the Light We Cannot See.
Levy called the series “one of the best projects we’ve had the honor to nurture,” praising its mix of gritty sports action and heartfelt character drama. Naveda, meanwhile, described the world of South Dorothy as something he’s been carrying with him “for as long as I can remember.”
Though set in Minnesota, production will begin soon in Vancouver. Netflix has not yet announced a release date, nor has the rest of the cast been revealed.
For Monaghan, the series marks a return to Minnesota storytelling — she previously appeared in the 2005 drama North Country, set on the Iron Range. This time, however, she’s at the center of a story poised to blend small-town spirit, sports resilience, and the kind of emotional underdog journey audiences love to root for.