Synopsis

Mid-Life College tells the story of three lifelong friends — Kyle, Dexter, and Tommy — who, now in their late forties and approaching fifty, make the bold choice to enroll in college and become part of the worst Division 3 football team in the nation. What starts as a tipsy notion turns into a funny, chaotic opportunity to relive their youth, pursue glory, and experience the lives they never got to live.

Mid-Life College explores the hilarious and heartfelt clash between youthful dreams and adult reality. Three middle-aged friends, weighed down by regrets, divorce, and family responsibilities, decide to return to college to chase the football glory they never had. Together, they stumble through dorm life, social media culture, and football practices their bodies can barely handle. With a head coach who’s past his prime, an assistant coach eager to take over, and teammates young enough to be their kids, they’re constantly reminded how out of place they are. At its core, Mid-Life College is a comedy about friendship, second chances, and the absurd lengths people go to outrun adulthood — balancing fish-out-of-water humor with the deeper truth that it’s never too late to rewrite your story.

Tone

A single-camera comedy that blends laugh-out-loud physical humor with grounded, emotional storytelling.
It’s the heartfelt optimism of Ted Lasso meets the mid-life hijinks of Old School, set against the modern college backdrop of Blue Mountain State.

Marketability

Concept /Theme

• At its heart, Mid-Life College is about the universal desire for a do-over. It explores themes that resonate with anyone who has ever looked back and wondered, "what if?"

• Second Chances: Is it ever truly too late to chase a dream, even a ridiculous one?

  
  

• Friendship vs. Responsibility: How do lifelong bonds hold up when stretched by adult life, family, and the physical toll of trying to be 20 again?
  
  

• Redefining Masculinity: Moving beyond the "glory days" mentality to find value in who you are now, not who you used to be.
  
  

• Generational Clash: Finding common ground (or hilarious conflict) between the analog world of Gen X and the digital-native world of Gen Z.

Beyond the core cast, the series is designed to feature guest appearances from professional comedians in certain episodes, adding star power and unique comedic voices.
In addition, casting iconic actresses who were household names in their heyday to play the older women Kyle dates creates both a nostalgic hook and a playful twist that amplifies the comedy.

Kyle, a down-and-out bartender, survives on dubious decisions and undeniable charisma. His romantic preferences lean significantly towards older partners — not the "cougar" type, but "alluring 60s" individuals, reminiscent of Bo Derek in her later years. Utilizing his connections, he secures a comfortable RA position (along with a dorm room) from Shui, a tempestuous individual who turns into both a real-life adversary and an unsettling presence in his nightmare-laden visions. On the field, Kyle finds himself at odds with Tanner, a brash young quarterback who quickly establishes himself as his competitor.

Meet the "Freshmen"

Tommy, grappling with a painful divorce and the devastating loss of a once-lucrative job, now finds himself in the unexpected position of being employed at a modest parking garage. Although this job is a far cry from his previous career, it provides him at least some financial stability. Attending college offers him a glimmer of hope and a chance at redemption, as he works towards regaining his independence and self-worth. Yet, the presence of his resentful ex-wife — who he feels “took his life away” during their tumultuous separation — looms ominously over him. Her bitter reminders of their shared past threaten to destabilize him even more, casting a shadow on his every effort to rebuild his life and find a genuine sense of purpose once again.

Dexter, a stay-at-home father, conceals his enrollment from his formidable wife, Rebecca. While he appears satisfied with his suburban family life, it is evident that Rebecca is in charge, and Dexter is aware of the consequences if she uncovers his secret. Their son, Travis, harbors secrets as well: he is also enrolled at the same college, deceiving both parents by claiming he is studying out of state. Father and son navigate their relationship cautiously, each veiling the reality. For Dexter, his goal is apparent — he desires a degree and perhaps a taste of unfulfilled aspirations.

The World of Mid-Life

TANNER STERLING : A 20-year-old superstar quarterback who can't understand why three old guys are in the locker room.

HEAD COACH ADAMS: An old-school, gravel-voiced coach just a few seasons away from retirement.

ASSISTANT COACH SHAW : Ambitious coach wanting to take the reigns. He hates the "old guys" for making a mockery of his program and actively works to get them kicked off the team.

DEFENSIVE COACH SHIRE : Passive coach, just happy to help. When it comes football he knows way too much.

SPECIAL TEAMS COACH BLUE : Has cerebral palsy and comes up with outrageous plays when given the chance for his input.

The Coaches

The Students/Faculty

SHUI (PREVIOUS RESIDENT ADVISOR): Young Asian student. She hates Kyle for taking the RA position from her and plans on making his life hell.

TRAVIS LEWIS : The 18-year-old son of Dexter and Rebecca. Hiding a secret from both parents.

DR. JULIE GRIMES : A board certified Physiologist. She teaches anatomy and physiology. Thinks the guys are losers and is serious about her work.

PROFESSOR DEBBIE TINLEY : Cheerleading Coach and Theatre Arts professor. Extremely nice, and is curious on Tommy's situation.

Family Characters

LIZA LEWIS : The 15-year-old daughter of Dexter and Rebecca. Social butterfly but shares nothing with her family.

DIANE WILCOX : Tommy's Ex-Wife, She took everything from him in their divorce and belittles him in front of his friends.

REBECCA LEWIS : Dexter's Wife, a no nonsense district attorney. She makes the money and wears the pants.

Season 1 Summary

Season One follows three middle-aged freshmen — Kyle, Dexter, and Tommy — as they dive head-first into college life, determined to revive the football dreams they never got to chase. What begins as a wild mid-life stunt becomes a real shot at redemption as the guys juggle academics, athletics, and absolute chaos.

Kyle and Tommy enroll in hilariously inappropriate classes before discovering a genuine desire to earn meaningful degrees. Kyle’s life spirals as he battles dorm rival Shui — who eventually kicks him out — and a growing QB rivalry with Tanner, which reaches a breaking point after Kyle sleeps with Tanner’s mom. Tanner transfers to a rival school just to take Kyle down on the field. Meanwhile, Kyle develops a hopeless crush on his anatomy professor, Julie, who slowly starts to see there’s more to him than immaturity and beard dye.

Dexter tries to balance school, football, and the lies he’s told his wife, Rebecca — especially when he learns their son is secretly enrolled at the same school with a pregnant girlfriend. Father and son form an unlikely alliance to keep their shared secret, but everything collapses when Rebecca finds out… right before the first game. A surprising moment of family unity follows when she decides to support them both.

Tommy gains newfound confidence, becomes interested in the Theatre Arts Professor Debbie who is also the cheerleading coach. He clashes with his unpredictable ex-wife, who threatens to ruin everything he has going for him. His socially awkward roommate becomes an unexpected ally, and together they recruit more players — including a 50-year-old kicker — just to keep the team alive.

Football-wise? The Stallions are terrible. Practice is brutal, Coach Shaw wants the old guys gone, and after a celebratory ice-water dump accidentally kills the dementia-riddled head coach, Shaw takes over and doubles down on trying to replace them — even bringing in younger “doppelgängers” to take their spots. But every setback brings them closer together — from jail cells to pep rallies with a fill-in squad of Kyle’s ex-girlfriends posing as cheerleaders.

Everything builds to the season finale: their first real game. Rather they win or lose... either way for the first time in years, these guys feel like winners. They’ve earned their jerseys, found their purpose, and proved to themselves — and everyone watching — that it’s never too late to chase the life you want.

Season One ends with hope, renewed identity, and a promise: next season, they’re playing the whole schedule.

Comparables

Beyond Season 1

Season 2: They're no longer the new guys, but they're far from respected. They have to deal with becoming minor campus celebrities, navigating new relationships, and the academic reality that they might actually fail out of school.

Future Seasons: Can they lead the team to a championship? What happens when their bodies truly start to give out? Do they graduate? The series explores the long-term consequences of hitting the reset button on your life.

Why Now?

In a world obsessed with reinvention, Mid-Life College flips the script. It’s not about becoming someone new—it’s about finally becoming who you were too scared, broke, or busy to be. It’s a love letter to friendship, foolishness, and the kind of dreams that only get louder with age.

Production

Matthew S. Dykes, or as we like to call him, “the guy who makes the magic happen”, is an accomplished and award-winning television and documentary producer, director, and editor with over 20 years of experience in video production. He’s worn more hats than a Hollywood costume department—serving as a nationally syndicated radio host, spokesperson, National Media Director, and National Sales and Marketing Director in both television and radio. With 1,500+ projects produced, Matt has mastered the art of storytelling, whether it’s through broadcast TV, documentaries, web series, or creative brand content. His ability to turn ideas into cinematic gold has earned him eight Telly Awards, two Emmy nominations, and the opportunity to work on multiple Emmy-winning projects (yes, he’s got the receipts). Known for his strong decision-making skills, hands-on approach, and uncanny ability to juggle creativity with logistics, Matt keeps the production process smooth, strategic, and just the right amount of fun. At Epic Filmworks, he leads with a passion for creating impactful, visually stunning, and results-driven video content that helps brands tell their story in unforgettable ways.

As a veteran of the comedy stage with a nearly three-decade career, Carl Rimi transitioned his creative drive into independent filmmaking in 2013. Leveraging his experience in captivating audiences, he moved from performing at comedy clubs and on cruise ships to writing, acting, and producing films. This shift led him to found Drimi Pictures in 2019, where he focuses on developing high-quality, high-concept, low-budget films with mass appeal. His directorial debut was the psychological horror-thriller iPossessed, which he also wrote and starred in.
Rimi has proven to be a versatile actor, appearing in numerous independent features and TV shows. In addition to his recent work on iPossessed, his acting credits include the independent Christian film Bonk, for which he was nominated for a Best Actor award in 2014, and the independent horror film W.D.E.D Dead in the Morning. His diverse body of work in the film industry, combined with his extensive background in comedy, showcases a passionate storyteller dedicated to creating entertaining and original content.

Creators Statement

The idea for Mid-Life College comes from my own life and lifelong love of football. I played from the time I was eight through high school — quarterback, receiver, tight end, defensive back — a good player on a bad team who never got the chance to play in college. That decision became one of my biggest regrets.

After high school, life took a turn. I built a career as a stand-up comedian, and in 2013, I became a filmmaker. But that “what if” never left me — the dream I didn’t chase, the version of myself I never got to see play out. Mid-Life College is my way of revisiting that dream through comedy. It’s a story about friendship, second chances, and how it’s never too late to chase the life you thought you missed.