Step aside, baseball—cricket is about to steal the spotlight in Strikers, a fresh half-hour comedy series starring former Queer Eye fave Bobby Berk and creator-actor Dana Abraham.
Because why limit ourselves to interior design when there’s an entire sports world out there ripe for a rainbow-hued makeover?
Here’s the pitch: Amar Farooqi (played by Abraham) is a former MLB pitcher whose devastating injury derails his career.
But as fate (and maybe a little comedic magic) would have it, he’s lured back to his South Asian roots via an unlikely second chance—coaching a struggling cricket team, the Steel City Strikers.
Insert meddling steel-company heir AJ Joshi (Shaun Majumder) and his publicist niece Maya (Nazanin Mandi), who desperately need someone to revitalize their flailing squad.
Enter Amar. Sure, the guy’s got an arm, but can he deliver on a spin bowler or a wicked googly? And how will it all come together without a charismatic manager who can rally the troops?
Cue Mickey, portrayed by none other than the stylish, upbeat Bobby Berk.
Fans of Queer Eye know Berk can tackle just about any challenge with a can-do grin (and maybe a sledgehammer or two).
Strikers will see him trading home design for comedic spin in the manager’s seat—guiding Amar, AJ, and Maya toward triumphant sports glory.
Think last-chance Hollywood vibes meets a celebratory tribute to cricket’s cultural resonance. Comedy gold, darlings.
On the Home Front: A Note About Bobby Berk’s Personal Life
For those curious about his off-screen world: Bobby has been married to his longtime partner, Dewey, since the early 2010s.
+Related: Jeremiah Brent Replaces Bobby Berk in the Queer Eye Family
Often offering us glimpses of their relationship on Instagram, Bobby has shared that he and Dewey love low-key nights in and spending time with their close circle of friends.
Outside of filming, Bobby continues to oversee his flourishing design brand and remains an advocate for LGBTQ+ visibility—both on television and beyond.
A Personal Journey for Dana Abraham
For Dana Abraham, Strikers marks more than just a series gig.
It’s a personal journey that taps into his South Asian heritage.
Having grown up in Canada, he admits he lost touch with his roots along the way.
Strikers lets him re-explore that cultural tapestry, bridging the gap between assimilation and tradition, all under the umbrella of a feel-good sports romp.
Expect heart, hijinks, and plenty of comedic collisions between baseball’s big-swing swagger and cricket’s refined, centuries-old traditions.
Getting Ready to Bowl Us Over
Production for Strikers is set to begin in summer 2025, aiming for release ahead of cricket’s Olympic debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Games—just in time to ride the wave of “cricket mania” that could sweep the States.
In an ambitious (and fabulous) move, Red Hill Creative will independently produce the first season, ensuring they keep creative control and highlight the show’s unifying themes of collaboration, culture, and identity.
With laughs, heart, and a cast ready to push boundaries, Strikers could be the comedic underdog story we didn’t know we needed.
Expect the synergy of a family sports flick—plus a dash of that Queer Eye magic—to deliver a new kind of comedic sports drama that celebrates what happens when mismatched players rally around something bigger than themselves.
Now that’s what we call a grand slam—or, given the context, a perfect boundary hit. Game on!
+Related: Tan France Denies He Had Bobby Berk Fired From Queer Eye