Paige Bueckers to star and produce Apple film “Jess and Pearl” after stellar rookie year
TOI GLOBAL DESK | TOI GLOBAL | Oct 30, 2025, 04:17 IST
Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers, fresh off a record-breaking WNBA rookie season, is set to make her acting debut in Apple’s upcoming sports drama Jess and Pearl. The film, created by Scandal writer Zahir McGhee, follows two basketball stars whose friendship is tested by fame and competition. Bueckers will both star in and executive produce the project, marking her first major off-court venture.
The Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers, who is coming off her record-breaking rookie season in the WNBA, is stepping onto the big screen. According to Deadline, Bueckers is set to star and produce the Apple Original film “Jess and Pearl”.
The film's original idea was developed by Zahir McGhee, who is known for his work on the TV series Scandal. The film is produced by Middle Child Pictures, a TV company owned by David Bernard, the producer of The White Lotus, as well as Lindsay Kagawa and Tommy Alter of Wasserman.
The film is a sports drama that revolves around two women basketball players whose friendship is put to the test after fame, competition, and business come between them. The story is similar to the world Bueckers is familiar with, where passion, talent, and fame meet.
Before getting drafted to the Dallas Wings as the No. 1 pick of the 2025 WNBA, Bueckers led the UConn Huskies to their 12th National Championship in the 2025 NCAA Division 1 women's college basketball. She won several accolades in her college career and is one of the most decorated college basketball players. Having spent four active seasons with the Huskies, Bueckers received many awards, including the AP Player of the Year honours and Big East Player of the Year three times.
In her rookie year in the WNBA, the Bueckers averaged 19.2 points, 5.4 assists, and 3.9 rebounds per game. She set the single-game rookie scoring record with 44 points on an outing with the Los Angeles Sparks and is the first player to score 40+ points while shooting 80% from the field. She stands third in the WNBA for most assists and points by a rookie. The 24-year-old guard won the WNBA Rookie of the Month award three times and was also given the Rookie of the Year award following her outstanding rookie campaign.
The film's original idea was developed by Zahir McGhee, who is known for his work on the TV series Scandal. The film is produced by Middle Child Pictures, a TV company owned by David Bernard, the producer of The White Lotus, as well as Lindsay Kagawa and Tommy Alter of Wasserman.
The film is a sports drama that revolves around two women basketball players whose friendship is put to the test after fame, competition, and business come between them. The story is similar to the world Bueckers is familiar with, where passion, talent, and fame meet.
Before getting drafted to the Dallas Wings as the No. 1 pick of the 2025 WNBA, Bueckers led the UConn Huskies to their 12th National Championship in the 2025 NCAA Division 1 women's college basketball. She won several accolades in her college career and is one of the most decorated college basketball players. Having spent four active seasons with the Huskies, Bueckers received many awards, including the AP Player of the Year honours and Big East Player of the Year three times.
In her rookie year in the WNBA, the Bueckers averaged 19.2 points, 5.4 assists, and 3.9 rebounds per game. She set the single-game rookie scoring record with 44 points on an outing with the Los Angeles Sparks and is the first player to score 40+ points while shooting 80% from the field. She stands third in the WNBA for most assists and points by a rookie. The 24-year-old guard won the WNBA Rookie of the Month award three times and was also given the Rookie of the Year award following her outstanding rookie campaign.