Country singer and songwriter Tim McGraw has decided to no longer star in a Netflix upcoming rodeo drama, according to a Deadline article. The article mentions that source close to McGraw said he “needed to undergo back surgery, which would require recovery time.” McGraw has also faced other ailments throughout his life. One of them being his knees, which he had surgery on in August of 2024 ” due to an injury sustained on tour,” according to Deadline. The show announced in May 2024 hasn’t been officially named yet and is written by Brandon Camp (Love and Gelato, Benji). According to Deadline, the role will be too labor-intensive for McGraw, and the physicality required for the drama could possibly injure him further.
The show portrays “the fierce, competitive world of bull riding, the drama follows a megastar champion (McGraw) facing a life-or-death crossroads when confronted by the arrival of a fearless young rider whose very existence challenges his ways and unearths secrets that force him to reckon with his past,” according to Deadline. Camp is also supposed to be co-showrunner with Taylor Elmore (Justified, Limitless).
McGraw was set to star and executive produce the drama in collaboration with Skydance Television. Since McGraw has stepped down, the show can move forward with a recast. According to Deadline and Tasteofcountry, Skydance Television and Netflix declined to answer questions about who would be apart of the recast. It is also unclear on whether McGraw will still executive produce the drama. According to Tasteofcountry, Before this show, McGraw was in Taylor Sheridans (12 strong, Hell or High Water) Yellowstone and, along with their wife Faith Hill, in the film Yellowstone Prequel 1883, which got excellent critic ratings. It is only a matter of time before audiences and fans see how these surgeries will impact him not only on stage but on the screen as well.