Netflix’s ‘The Sticks’ adds 'NCIS' star as hockey drama unveils cast and first-look images
Netflix has pulled back the curtain on its upcoming hockey drama, now officially titled ‘The Sticks.’ The streamer announced new cast additions and shared behind-the-scenes images featuring Michelle Monaghan and the show’s young players. The eight-episode series comes from creator and executive producer Nick Naveda, showrunner Bridget Bedard, and Shawn Levy’s 21 Laps.
The new series regulars include Scott Bakula as Coach Brody Hansen, Logan Marshall-Green as Coach Sully, and Alex MacIsaac as Emma Boone. Bakula, known for ‘Quantum Leap,’ ‘NCIS: New Orleans,’ and ‘Only Murders in the Building,' is returning to television roughly two years after his last major TV role as a regular ended in 2024. Marshall-Green is also part of CBS’ ‘Marshals,’ while MacIsaac, who guest stars in Netflix’s upcoming ‘Hollywood Arts,’ will play Emma Boone.
Netflix has also confirmed Bryan Greenberg as Cliff Barnes, Chelsea Field as Alice Hansen, and Patrick Gallagher as Principal Montgomery. Alison Araya will play Joan Garcia, Aman Smardon will appear as Kai Becker, Krista Bridges has been cast as Frankie Ryder, and Ben Cotton will play Mr. Marchbanks. They join a wider ensemble led by Monaghan as Coach Harper Sullivan. Netflix’s official logline reads, “After tragedy shatters a small Minnesota hockey town, a grieving wife steps behind the bench of the team her husband built, guiding a found family of wounded young athletes through a season of loss, love, and rivalry that will decide whether South Dorothy has anything left to believe in, and who will lead it into its next chapter.”
The first-look images show Monaghan’s Harper with the players of South Dorothy. Emilie Bierre plays Riley Sullivan, while Shai Chase appears as Henry Sullivan. The team also includes Josh Macqueen as Rhett Nelson, Costa D’Angelo as Owen Boone, Carter Shimp as Austin Ryder, Ethan Holder as Cooper Cunningham, and Isaac Arellanes as Manny Rodriguez. Chloe Avakian, Caleb Baumann, River Codack, Angus Albinati, and Callum Orchison round out the previously announced young cast.
Naveda told Netflix’s Tudum, “The Sticks is about a lot of things. Hockey, family, love, loss, class, and coming of age. But above all, it’s a story about community and the importance of taking care of one another. Seeing this terrific cast of actors bring their characters to life with such curiosity, empathy, and tenderness has been incredibly moving to watch, and I can’t wait for the world to meet the people of South Dorothy.”
Trey Edward Shults will direct the first two episodes and also serve as an executive producer. Naveda and Bedard are executive producers alongside Levy, Dan Levine, and Robert Atwood for 21 Laps. Moera Ainai serves as a producer. Netflix has not announced a premiere date for ‘The Sticks.’ TV Insider reports that the series is expected to arrive in 2027, but the streamer has only said that release information will be shared later.
