EXCLUSIVE: Production is underway in Los Angeles on Swole Mate, a new scripted comedy series created by Baron Schwarz and Ryan Nichols, with Stephanie Sanditz (Perfect Addiction) tapped to serve as showrunner and director for the series, and executive producer. The series has unveiled its ensemble cast, led by Adam Hagenbuch (High Potential, Fuller House), Mike O’Hearn (Magazine Dreams), Breeda Wool (Mr. Mercedes, National Treasure), George Basil (Crashing, Barbie), and Rusty Joiner (These Stones, Silver Lake).
Photo: Johnny Lavallee
Also joining the cast are Baron Schwarz (Hank and Willow, Westworld), Mayling Ng (Wonder Woman, Scorpion King), Jason Scott Jenkins (Miracle Workers, Future Man), Phil LaMarr (Watchmen, Pulp Fiction), Justin Dray (Mythic Quest, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia), and Daniele Gaither (The Thundermans, Key & Peele).
Described as “The Bachelor meets Pumping Iron meets Physical,” Swole Mate follows ten gym bros competing for the title of top bodybuilder’s workout partner. The scripted comedy satirizes the hyper-performative world of fitness influencers and reality dating culture while exploring themes of ego, identity, and connection—with a healthy dose of heart and absurdity.
Sanditz has been involved on all sides of the camera, and stepping into the role of showrunner and director marks a natural, long-time-coming evolution in her career. She made her mark with Perfect Addiction, which debuted as Amazon’s #1 global film and was named one of The New York Times’ “Top 5 Action Movies to Stream.” Her upcoming slate includes civil-war petticoat solider bio-pic, My Last Skirt; feminist Viking epic, Heathen, with Catherine Hardwicke attached to direct, and Hell Wood, with Carsten Lorenz (Independence Day).
She previously sold Pyramid to FX with Rob McElhenney EPing, and The High Life to ABC Signature. Sanditz is developing a personal series with Happy Accidents (EPs of Ginny & Georgia) and preparing her feature directorial debut, Legends Only.
The series is produced by Derrick Gordon (The Last Dispensation of St. James), Erick Michael Kochmer (The Death of Snow White), Nate Lipp (Cinesthesia Factory), and Joanna Colbert (Hollywoodland), alongside Sanditz, Schwarz, and Nichols. Casting is by Rich Mento, CSA.
Sanditz is repped by Brillstein Entertainment Partners and Myman Greenspan Fox Rosenberg Mobasser Younger & Light. Hagenbuch is repped by Innovative Artists and Authentic Talent and Literary Management. Wool is repped by Innovative Artists, Bold Management & Production, and Jackoway Austen Tyerman Wertheimer Mandelbaum Morris Berstein Trattner Auerbach Hynick Jaime LeVine Sample & Klein. Joiner is repped by JBS and CAA.
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