The Roku Channel has released the official Swimming with Sharks trailer and key art, which previews the series premiering on the service on April 15. All six of the 30-minute episodes will debut on that day.
The news was announced today, along with the Swimming with Sharks trailer debut, just hours before the series premiere screening event at the SXSW festival in Austin. You can watch the trailer using the player below.
The drama, led by Kiernan Shipka and Diane Kruger and from creator/showrunner Kathleen Robertson, is about the dark side of the Hollywood studio system and an assistant who turns the tables on an abusive boss.
Filled with psychological twists and turns, Roku says the series’ gripping storylines paired with powerhouse performances will leave audiences on the edge of their seat.
Donald Sutherland, Thomas Dekker, Finn Jones, Erika Alexander, Ross Butler, and Gerardo Celasco round out the cast. The series was created in partnership with Lionsgate Television.
Swimming with Sharks is written by showrunner Kathleen Robertson and directed by Tucker Gates. Chris Cowles, Liz Destro, Stephen Israel, Jay Cohen, and Dana Brunetti served as executive producers.
“Historically, Hollywood has always represented reinvention, rebirth. Starting over. There has never been a better time to embrace that,” said Robertson. “My goal was to subvert this story and come at it from a place of both wonder and corruption, through the eyes of two complex female perspectives.
“Their performances are quite extraordinary. Nobody will ever see Kiernan Shipka as ‘Don Draper’s daughter’ ever again. We are beyond thrilled for this to premiere on The Roku Channel.”
When Lou Simms (Kiernan Shipka) starts her internship at Fountain Pictures, she seems like a naïve Hollywood newcomer, awestruck by the studio’s notorious CEO, Joyce Holt (Diane Kruger).
In truth, Lou has done extensive research on Joyce, and landing this internship was no happy accident. As Lou’s obsession grows, she will do anything to get close to her idol.
“Hollywood can be as cutthroat as it is glamorous,” said Colin Davis, Roku’s Head of Original Scripted Programming.
“Swimming with Sharks does not hold back in showcasing the complex, ego-driven, and ambition-fueled pursuits in one’s attempts to ‘make it’ in a town riddled with more broken dreams than success stories. Kathleen and the talented teams behind and in front of the camera have delivered!”
“We’re excited to bring Swimming with Sharks to television audiences,” said Lionsgate Television Group Senior Vice President Jocelyn Sabo. “It has the perfect ingredients for a platform-defining premium series – a gripping story, an incredible cast, and the ability to connect with viewers. We are delighted to work with Roku once again on another amazing Roku Original.”
The series is a reimagining of the 1994 movie written and directed by George Huang. That movie starred Kevin Spacey, Frank Whaley, and Michelle Forbes.
Mirko Parlevliet has been reporting on the entertainment industry since 1998 and founded Vital Thrills in 2018 to cover the latest news on streaming, movies, TV, and video games.