"HEAVY HITTERS," the highly anticipated baseball series from Gemelli Films and director Candice (Candy) Cain and which is set to revolutionize baseball in the entertainment world, has just named its soon-to-be All-Star cast.
Unlike anything seen before, "HEAVY HITTERS" promises to blur the lines between reality and fiction, with a majority of the cast composed of actual baseball players who are also professional actors and who will not only act but also perform their own batting and fielding throughout the series.
Casting Director for the series Donna McKenna had her hands full with over 60,000 prospects nationwide submitting for roles and vying for the coveted uniforms. “Ultimately, the project was carefully cast with players and actors bringing a life and passion to the diamond that can only be described as otherworldly,” said Ms. McKenna.
The starting line-up of Gemelli’s All-Star HEAVY HITTERS cast is as follows: Andrew Larkin, who will be portray Brendan Crane; River Perkins will be stepping into the cleats of Derek Prescott; Taryn Kelly, who will be known behind the plate as Charlie Tucker; Aidan Dyson who is stepping up to the plate as Frank de la Cruz; Ethan Jones who is taking on the role of Erik Robinson; Mark Keegan who accepted the role of Ryan Stevens; Karsun Barrett, who is batting as Daryl “DJ” Green; Travis Doughty who is putting on the uniform of Brendan Savage; Matthew Drinkwater will be playing Andy Gilroy and taking the field with his actual identical twin brother John Drinkwater playing his twin brother Ken Gilroy in the series.
Also joining this groundbreaking project are Adam Huss (General Hospital) and Jason Frederick (A Jar Full of Christmas), two names that are already generating waves in the world of movies and television. Huss, known for his powerful duality and charismatic presence, and Frederick, a defensive powerhouse with a knack for dramatic flair, are set to continue their legacy in both baseball and film.
“The inclusion of all these baseball players as actual actors in "HEAVY HITTERS" signifies a bold new direction for sports entertainment, where the raw talent of athletes meets the compelling storytelling of Hollywood. As we decided on the case, name by name, the sense of history in the making was palpable. These athletes are set to redefine how we see baseball, not just as a sport, but as a rich connection of human stories, triumphs, and dreams,” said Candce Cain, the creator of "HEAVY HITTERS. Cain added “From the start, I envisioned a series that would showcase the grit, passion, and authenticity of baseball and I’m now enjoying the process of seeing my vision come to life. And, unlike any traditional sports dramas, this series will feature real games, real plays, and real stakes, with each actor-athlete bringing their A-game to the diamond. I fully expect and have dreamed of the result being a thrilling blend of competitive sports and captivating drama, with stars being born right before our eyes.”
Gemelli Films is an independent production company based in Brookhaven, New York. Since November of 2015, Gemelli Films has produced twenty-one feature films, three half-hour series and one short-form series.