Roku and Lionsgate announced today that a new Roku Original, Swimming with Sharks, will make its debut on The Roku Channel this April. The series was originally set to stream on Quibi.
In Swimming with Sharks, a Hollywood assistant who turns the tables on an abusive boss. Diane Kruger and Kiernan Shipka lead the cast in the scripted drama series about the dark side of the Hollywood studio system.
“Historically, Hollywood has always represented reinvention, rebirth. Starting over. There has never been a better time to embrace that” said showrunner and creator Kathleen 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 Drapers daughter” ever again. We are beyond thrilled for this to premiere on The Roku Channel.”
When Lou Simms (Shipka) starts her internship at Fountain Pictures she seems like a naïve Hollywood newcomer, awestruck by the studio’s notorious CEO, Joyce Holt (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 will have 30-minute episodes that will be streaming for free exclusively on The Roku Channel in the U.S, Canada, and the U.K. In addition to Roku devices, The Roku Channel is available on the webeb, iOS and Android devices, Amazon Fire TV, and select Samsung TVs.