Everything we know about Netflix's 'Senna'

Motorsports titles are all the rage at the minute, with Michael Mann’s drama Ferrari and Neill Blomkamp’s Gran Turismo, two biographical dramas providing more insight into the world of high-octane racing, finding success his year. Netflix is also getting in on the action, with the ambitious six-part biopic series Senna, following the life of the late Formula One winner, Ayrton Senna, on the horizon. 

Notably, Senna is one of only three Formula One drivers from Brazil to win the World Championship and secured 41 Grand Prix wins and 65 pole positions in his time. The latter remained the world record until 2006. Tragically, Senna’s life was cut short at age 34 in 1994 when he suffered an accident leading the San Marino Grand Prix for Williams. 

Netflix’s Senna is directed by Vicente Amorim, who worked on titles such as Dirty Hearts, Good and Yakuza Princess in the past. It was first announced in 2020, and since then, fans have eagerly awaited updates about the show. 

See everything we know so far below.

What is Senna about?

The official synopsis for the series reads: “Senna will reveal the personality and personal relationships of the three-time F1 champion, showing the trajectory of his triumphs, disappointments, joys and sorrows. It begins in the early days of Ayrton’s motorsport career, when he moves to England to compete in the Ford Formula, concluding with the tragic accident in Imola, Italy, during the San Marino Grand Prix.”

Per Netflix’s site, Tudum, the series will consist of six episodes. 

Senna cast

In March this year, it was announced that Gabriel Leone, known for his work in titles such as Dark Days and Dom, will be playing the legendary Ayrton Senna. Elsewhere in the cast are Charlie Hamblett as Martin Brundle, Alice Wegmann as Liliane Vasconcellos Souza, Senna’s first wife and Camila Márdila as Viviane Senna, his sister.

Elsewhere in the expansive cast, Kaya Scodelario, Tom McKay, Joe Hurst, Matt Mella, Steven Mackintosh, Robert Irons and Hugo Bonemer will feature. “Gabriel Leone has Senna’s charisma, intensity, and gentleness,” Amorim explains. “We were thrilled with how he brought Ayrton to life at his screen test.

“He has the ability to faithfully portray Ayrton’s unique personality, especially the Ayrton that we as a family knew, off the track,” Viviane Senna adds.

When is Senna released?

Whilst Netflix hasn’t yet announced an official release date for Senna, in late September, the Vice President of Content at Netflix Brazil, Elizabetta Zenatti, confirmed the series is coming to the streamer in 2024.