Netflix’s Beckham is a four-part docuseries about David Beckham’s rise from a young player in Stockport to a global football star. Directed by Fisher Stevens, it draws on never-before-seen footage to trace Beckham’s career from his early days at Manchester United through his years with the England national team and later clubs.
The show is built around Beckham himself, who appears as the central subject alongside his wife Victoria Beckham. Other key figures appear across the four episodes:
- Alex Ferguson
- Gary Neville
- Rio Ferdinand
- Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
- Roy Keane
- Paul Scholes
- Éric Cantona
- Steve Bruce
- Phil Neville
- Paul Ince
Trailer, via Netflix.
The Early Days in Stockport
The series opens with Beckham’s youth in the town of Stockport. It shows his family life and his first matches, setting up the contrast between his quiet start and the fame that followed.
Manchester United Years
Manchester United dominates much of the middle portion of the series. The show leans heavily on footage from that period, covering Beckham’s time under Alex Ferguson and his battles with Roy Keane.
The England National Team
The documentary also covers Beckham’s service with the England national team. That stretch includes his performances for his country during a period of heavy media attention.
Later Clubs and Global Stardom
The final episodes move through Beckham’s time with Real Madrid and LA Galaxy. They trace how he became a global icon beyond football.
The Footage
What sets Beckham apart is the access to unseen material. The series draws on footage that has not appeared in other documentaries, giving viewers a fresh look at familiar events.
Where It Falls Short
Some viewers may find the middle stretch heavy on Manchester United content at the expense of other parts of Beckham’s career. The pacing slows in places, and the series relies on familiar talking heads rather than new interviews.
The show is at its best when it focuses on the footage itself. The unseen material carries the weight of the story.
Beckham succeeds as a portrait of a man whose career changed the shape of football. It is not a perfect series, but the footage it offers makes it worth watching for anyone who wants to see the early days of one of the sport’s biggest names.
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