Brazilian actor and martial artist Cauã Reymond used a Deadline Studio appearance at SXSW London to discuss his new Globo soccer drama The Playoffs, while admitting he is not especially passionate about football itself. Reymond and director Bruno Safadi spoke about the series, which opens with a world premiere at the festival and explores the hidden, high-pressure side of professional soccer beyond the pitch.
The story follows Maurício, played by Reymond, a retired player who tries to reinvent himself as a football agent while navigating intense rivalries, family conflict and the lingering consequences of past failures. Reymond said he approached the role like a detective, drawing on research with former players, coaches and PR professionals to understand the “backstage” world of the sport. He said he wanted the series to examine subjects such as prostitution around football, homosexuality, scandals involving players and the difficulties athletes face after retirement. He emphasized that the series is fictional, even if it is inspired by real events.
Safadi said he was drawn to the challenge of filming soccer realistically. He noted that convincing football scenes are hard to stage in drama, so the production used a mix of documentary-style footage, crowd shots and close-ups to create authenticity. He also said he was surprised by how well the cast could perform as athletes on screen.
The conversation also touched on Brazil’s prospects at the upcoming World Cup. Reymond deferred to Safadi for an opinion, and the director said Brazil’s current form makes victory seem difficult, though history shows surprises are possible. He pointed to Brazil’s 1994 triumph after a period of poor form as evidence that anything can happen in a World Cup.
Both Reymond and Safadi were pleased to launch the series at SXSW London, saying the event reflects the growing international interest in Brazilian storytelling. They suggested that Brazilian film and television are enjoying a wider moment, alongside projects such as Oscar-nominated The Secret Agent. Safadi argued that streaming has helped blur the old divide between cinema and television, with talent now moving more freely between both industries.
Reymond said global audiences are increasingly comfortable watching subtitled content and expressed confidence that there is growing curiosity about Brazilian work. The pair framed The Playoffs as part of a larger wave of Brazilian productions reaching international viewers, with the series aiming to show the off-field realities that shape the sport as much as the action on the field.
