Social media star-turned-actor Andrew “King Bach” Bachelor is sprinting back into the spotlight, this time as legendary U.S. sprinter Carl Lewis. Bachelor has officially joined the cast of Hate the Player: The Ben Johnson Story, a satirical miniseries heading to Paramount+ and GameTV in Canada.
The six-episode series centers on the infamous doping scandal that rocked the 1988 Seoul Olympics, where Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson won gold in the 100-meter final, only to be stripped of his medal after testing positive for steroids. Shamier Anderson (John Wick 4, Invasion) will portray Johnson, while Bachelor steps into the track shoes of Carl Lewis, Johnson’s biggest rival and an American icon.
“Carl Lewis was a hero of mine,” he shared in a statement. “Not just because of his dominance, but because he excelled in multiple events, just like I did. The rivalry between Ben Johnson and Carl Lewis is one of the most iconic in sports history. To be a part of bringing that story to life is an incredible honor and a full-circle moment for me,”
Bachelor ran track at Florida State University, and his father was an athlete in Jamaica, so he brings his own experiences to the role.
Known for his comedic chops on platforms like Vine and YouTube, Bachelor has been steadily building his acting résumé with roles in The Babysitter: Killer Queen, Coffee & Kareem, and Netflix’s Holidate. But Hate the Player is one of his most high-profile and dramatic roles to date.
The series is created by The Office alum Anthony Q. Farrell, who also serves as showrunner and executive producer. It also stars Mark McKinney (Kids in the Hall), Karen Robinson (Schitt’s Creek), Ennis Esmer (Blindspot), Kristian Bruun (Orphan Black), Emma Hunter, and Dewshane Williams, among others.
Producers describe the series as Johnson’s “definitely-not-biased” retelling of his rise and fall, taking a sharply satirical approach to what has been dubbed “The Dirtiest Race in History.”
With Ben Johnson’s participation, the series will peel back the layers of scandal and media frenzy.
Hate the Player: The Ben Johnson Story is expected to premiere in 2026.
Photo Credit: DepositPhotos.com
