Netflix’s Thai Cave Rescue Drama Revealed

Netflix will premiere its take on the daring true-life cave rescue of trapped Thai soccer players on September 22, seven weeks after Prime Video releases its version, Thirteen Lives.

While It will be the fourth depiction of the 2018 event that transfixed the world, Netflix claims it will be “the most authentic and expansive retelling”.

Here’s the media release:

Inspired by the incredible news that captivated the world, Thai Cave Rescue: Limited Series tells the untold stories of the Thai youth soccer team and their coach who got trapped in one of the most dangerous cave systems on Earth and the extraordinary efforts by their families, the people of Thailand, and volunteers from all over the world as they work together to fight against both nature and time to save the team.

The series is a Thai-international production, created by veteran Hollywood screenwriters, produced by the team behind Crazy Rich Asians, directed by Baz Poonpiriya & Kevin Tancharoen.

Created by Michael Russell Gunn (Billions, Designated Survivor) and Dana Ledoux Miller (Designated Survivor, Narcos), the six-episode limited series is directed by Baz Poonpiriya (One for the Road, Bad Genius) and Kevin Tancharoen (The Brothers Sun, The Book of Boba Fett, Warrior) and showcases a dramatized retelling of the astonishing rescue that gripped the world in 2018.

Both directors also serve as executive producers alongside Jon M. Chu (In the Heights, Crazy Rich Asians, G.I. Joe: Retaliation) for Electric Somewhere; John Penotti (Crazy Rich Asians) for SK Global Entertainment; John Logan Pierson (Spenser Confidential, Patriots Day, Dare Me); Lance Johnson (Troop Zero, The Equalizer); and Tim Coddington (Mulan, Crazy Rich Asians, Marco Polo).

Thai Cave Rescue stars an expansive Thai cast led by Papangkorn “Beam” Lerkchaleampote as Coach Eak, Thaneth “Ek” Warakulnukroh as Chiang Rai governor Narongsak Osottanakorn, and Urassaya “Yaya” Sperbund and Manatsanun “Donut” Phanlerdwongsakul  as Kelly and Pim — fictional representatives of the real-world hydraulic engineers and park rangers that made the incredible rescue possible. Supakorn “Tok” Kitsuwan also joins the cast as former Navy SEAL diver Saman “Ja Sam” Gunan, while Bloom Varinplays army doctor Colonel Bhak Loharjun.

Further underlining the focus on authenticity is the casting of the 12 Wild Boars, who are played by local boys Pratya “Tiger” Patong, Songpol “Pangpon” Kantawong, Chakkapat “Junior” Sisat, Thanawut “Bank” Chetuku, Teeraphat “Gun”‘ Somkaew, Thanaphong “Pluem” Kanthawong, Thanapat “Utha” Phungpumkaew, Aphisit “Fluke” Yookham, Watcharaphol “Kim” Puangsawan, Thapanot “Nam-Ning” Huttapasu, Apisit “Chit” Saengchan, and Rattaphoom “Fluke” Nakeesathid. Filming took place at the homes of the real boys and Tham Luang itself.

As with the real mission, Thai Cave Rescue has assembled a cast of international actors to portray key contributors in this rescue, including Nicholas Bell as Vern Unsworth, Nicholas Farnell as John Volanthen, Christopher Stollery as Rick Stanton, Rodger Corser as Dr. Richard “Harry” Harris, and Damon Herriman as Dr. Craig Challen.

Experience the most authentic and expansive retelling yet of the Wild Boars’ story in the limited series Thai Cave Rescue, coming to Netflix on September 22.