Lamorne Morris, Abby Elliott Be part of Heidi Gardner Film Swimming Lesson

A dramedy function starring Heidi Gardner and William H. Macy is on the point of make a splash because it provides to its solid.

Lamorne Morris (Spider-Noir, Fargo), Abby Elliott (The Bear, SNL), Michael Strassner (The Baltimorons) and Joey Bicicchi (Rudderless) have joined the solid of The Swimming Lesson, The Hollywood Reporter has realized. THR beforehand broke the information that Gardner and Macy will star in writer-director Casey Twenter’s indie movie that’s set to start manufacturing subsequent month in Gardner’s hometown of Kansas City.

The Swimming Lesson facilities on Tay (Gardner), a single mom who leaves behind her sophisticated life in Los Angeles to return to her childhood dwelling. She winds up embroiled in a custody battle over son Albee, an autistic baby who’s obsessive about the ocean however petrified of swimming. Macy co-stars as Leonard, Tay’s foul-mouthed father whose blunt nature can generally disguise the truth that he stays loyal to his daughter and grandson.

Morris will play charming swim teacher Caleb, whereas Elliott takes on the function of Vickie, the brand new spouse of Tay’s ex. Additionally, Strassner performs Tay’s longtime good friend Reiger, and Bicicchi portrays Albee’s newly sober father Steve.

Newcomer Hudson Escudero makes his function debut as Albee. The manufacturing prioritized casting an younger autistic performer within the function to embody the character with lived expertise.

Twenter marks his solo directorial function debut with the mission that he co-wrote with Jeff Robison. Twenter and Robison beforehand co-wrote the 2014 drama Rudderless, which was Macy’s directorial debut and landed distribution after premiering at Sundance.

“From top to bottom, this is a murderers’ row of talent,” says Twenter. “This is a deeply personal story, and I’m beyond grateful that these actors have chosen to tell it alongside me. Their excitement for the material has been energizing from the start, and it has only strengthened my own belief in what we’re making.”

The Swimming Lesson’s producers embody Dan Koetting for KP’s Remain and Robison for Kindling Productions, together with Jen Greenstreet and Mandi Kearns for Just Like You Films. Also becoming a member of the manufacturing workforce is Unified Pictures’ Keith Kjarval, whose different forthcoming initiatives embody The Beast with Samuel L. Jackson and The Smack with Casey Affleck. Mark Williams serves as director of images, and Mateo Messina is composing the music. Spark Casting’s Stefanie Seifer and Hailey Giles are dealing with casting.

Morris is represented by CAA, Entertainment 360 and The Lede Company. Elliott is repped by Paradigm Talent Agency and OPE Partners. Strassner is repped by Paradigm Talent Agency and Stride Management. Bicicchi is repped by Luber Roklin Entertainment. Escudero is repped by The Osbrink Agency, Rebel Creative Group and Campbell Agency.