Rob McElhenney stars in a new Ancestry.com ad linking Welcome to Wrexham season 5, premiering May 14 on FX, as Ryan Reynolds jokes about his ancestor.
- April 27, 2026
AceShowbiz - Despite popular belief popularized by the film Deadpool 2, Ryan Reynolds is not the only co-owner of Wrexham AFC capable of journeying through time. His business partner, Rob McElhenney, takes center stage alone in a fresh advertisement that cleverly ties the hit series Welcome to Wrexham with the genealogy platform Ancestry.com. This new ad arrives just ahead of the highly anticipated fifth season of Welcome to Wrexham, which is set to premiere on FX on May 14.
In this amusing commercial, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney are shown at the Wrexham Training Academy, where they admire the club’s kits—but notably, not the kids. During the spot, Ryan Reynolds promotes Ancestry.com, a genealogy website that enables users to build detailed family trees. He reveals he has traced his ancestry back to a long-ago forebear named Innocent George, a discovery he finds quite humorous.
The ad then shifts focus to Rob McElhenney, who briefly imagines himself as Innocent George. He appears in period costume complete with a powdered wig and a churchwarden pipe, contemplating his future descendant who he describes as "a profound ****." The fantasy quickly snaps back to reality when he is humorously scolded for daydreaming without Ryan Reynolds present.
For viewers intrigued by their own heritage, the ad directs them to visit Ancestry.com/wrexham, where they can explore their lineage and even purchase a limited edition bundle. This bundle includes a Wrexham-branded DNA testing kit and a Wrexham supporters’ scarf, combining fandom with personal discovery.
This campaign marks an entertaining extension of the partnership between the football club and the genealogy platform, leveraging the popularity of Welcome to Wrexham ahead of its new season. It cleverly uses humor and historical imagination to engage fans and viewers, all while tying back to the theme of exploring one’s roots.
The upcoming fifth season of Welcome to Wrexham promises to continue chronicling the unique journey of the club under the ownership of Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. This ad serves as a playful reminder of their shared ambition and connection to the community, even if Rob McElhenney takes a solo trip back in time for once.
While Welcome to Wrexham has captivated audiences with its blend of sports, culture, and personal storytelling, this new advertisement adds a fresh, historical twist. It highlights the owners’ personalities and their willingness to engage fans in creative ways beyond the football pitch.
As anticipation builds for the new season, this Ancestry.com campaign demonstrates how Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds are pushing the boundaries of traditional sports marketing. By connecting the club’s past with fans’ personal histories, they create a multifaceted experience that resonates on both emotional and entertaining levels.
Fans of the series and the football club alike will find this spot a witty addition to the ongoing narrative surrounding Wrexham AFC’s revival. It offers a glimpse into the owners’ camaraderie and playful dynamic, which has been a key element of the show’s charm and success.
Ultimately, this collaboration between Welcome to Wrexham and Ancestry.com not only promotes the upcoming season but also invites viewers to explore their own stories—bridging the gap between past and present in a manner that is both meaningful and amusing.
By blending historical fantasy with modern genealogy technology, the ad encapsulates the spirit of discovery that underpins both the series and the owners’ journey with Wrexham AFC. It is a creative approach that enhances fan engagement while celebrating the richness of personal and communal heritage.
With the new season premiering soon, this campaign sets the stage for continued excitement and connection, ensuring that both longtime supporters and new audiences have something to look forward to.
In summary, the new Wrexham ad starring Rob McElhenney alone offers a clever, humorous look at time travel and ancestry, linking it seamlessly to the football club’s evolving story. Fans can expect more engaging content as Welcome to Wrexham returns to screens on May 14.