JoAnna Garcia Swisher Launches Production Banner THP Entertainment

Posted on March 19, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

JoAnna Garcia Swisher is hoping to bring more joy to the world…

The 44-year-old half-Cuban and part-Spanish American actress, producer, television host and entrepreneur is expanding her lifestyle platform The Happy Place with the launch of her production banner THP Entertainment, which she will co-run alongside longtime business partner and co-founder, Kate Gordon.

Garcia Swisher is known for her roles on Netflix’s Sweet Magnolias, ABC’s Once Upon a Time and Reba McEntire’s eponymous comedy series for the CW. Gordon is an entrepreneur with extensive experience in talent management, sports/media production, digital content creation and e-commerce product development.

Garcia Swisher and Gordon launched The Happy Place as a lifestyle digital and social media platform that celebrates the spaces, places and moments that bring joy and a sense of community to all visitors.

The site has reached close to a million subscribers and their social media accounts have reached over 4.8M in the last month alone, according to THP. The production banner is an expansion of the site’s book club THP Reads that will focus on bringing select stories to life through TV and film.

First up on the scripted slate is THP Reads March 2022 pick, Ladies of the House, produced with Black Label Media. The romantic drama will re-team Garcia Swisher with Sheryl J. Anderson, the creator/showrunner of Sweet Magnolias. Based on the novel by Lauren Edmonson, the series follows the wife and adult daughters of a Senator as they navigate the treacherous balance of personal and public lives after the Senator dies in compromising circumstances.

“The Happy Place is a destination where you come to be inspired and to feel connected through our mutual life experiences. We are constantly in awe of this inclusive community that embraces our desire to celebrate life’s moments, both big and small.” Garcia Swisher and Gordon said in a joint statement to Deadline. “THP Reads has become something that we enjoy together, month after month. It felt like a natural extension to bring this collective excitement surrounding books we read to life on screen in a way we can all be proud of and excited about.”

Swisher currently stars in Netflix’s Sweet Magnolias as ‘Maddie Townsend.’ The show is in production on its fourth season, and she will also return as the host of The Ultimatum: Queer Love. In film, she most recently starred in Vince Vaughn’s Christmas with the Campbells.

Netflix Renews JoAnna Garcia Swisher’s “Sweet Magnolias” for Third Season

Posted on May 4, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Sweet news for JoAnna Garcia Swisher…

Netflix has renewed its romance drama series Sweet Magnolias, starring the 42-year-old Cuban and Spanish American actress, for a third season.

In addition to Garcia Swisher, the other leads set to reprise their roles on the series include Brooke Elliott and Heather Headley.

Based on Sherryl Woods’ popular series of novels, Sweet Magnolias follows lifelong best friends Maddie (Garcia Swisher), Dana Sue (Elliott) and Helen (Headley) as they juggle relationships, family and careers in the charming small town of Serenity, South Carolina.

Season 2 ended with several cliffhangers.

Ronnie and Dana Sue reunited, but mystery-woman Kathy might mean trouble for Dana Sue in the upcoming season. The season also ended with the death of Miss Frances (Cindy Karr), with Maddie, Helen and Dana Sue in mourning over her passing.

Woods executive produces with Sheryl J. Anderson, who returns as showrunner and executive producer. Dan Paulson, whose Daniel L. Paulson Productions is producing, also serves as executive producer.

JoAnna Garcia Swisher to Star in the Hallmark Channel Rom-Com “As Luck Would Have It”

Posted on February 12, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a hallmark moment for JoAnna Garcia Swisher…

The 41-year-old Cuban and Spanish American actress has been cast in Hallmark’s new Ireland-set rom-com As Luck Would Have It.

The Sweet Magnolias actress will star opposite Allen Leech in the film directed by Clare Niederpruem.

“JoAnna Garcia Swisher and Allen Leech are both immensely talented actors and we are delighted to welcome them to the Hallmark Channel family,” said Michelle Vicary, Executive Vice President, Programming, Crown Media Family Networks. “Between its charming leads and lushly-authentic Irish setting, viewers are sure to be captivated by this sweet, lighthearted romance.”

Lindsey (Swisher) travels to Ireland to acquire land that is perfect for a resort. She decides to enter the town’s matchmaking festival to prove her investment and win over a handsome local (Leech).

The all-new movie, which will be part of Hallmark Channel’s “Spring Fling” programming event this spring, has kicked off production with on-location filming in Ireland.

Swisher also appeared in Once Upon a Time, The Internship, A-List and American Pie 2.

JoAnna Garcia Swisher Taking Part in St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Livestream Fundraiser

Posted on May 5, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

JoAnna Garcia Swisheris doing her Saint-ly duty…

The 40-year-old half-Cuban American actress has joined the all-star roster of musicians, actors, athletes and influencers gathering for a special #GivingTuesdayNowevent today (May 5) to raise funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

The “Take 5 Together #forStJude” livestream will take place from 2:00 – 6:00 pm EST and feature singing, dancing, cooking, stretching and laughter in honor of the hospitalthat is the leader in treating childhood cancer.

In addition to Garcia Swisher, the event lineup includes Michael Strahan, Drew Barrymore, Ashley Tisdale, Kaia Gerber,Rio Roma, Shaed, Sofi Tukker, Nick Swisher, Scotty McCreery, Chef Adrianne Calvoand more.

All will “take 5” with St. Jude patients in an effort to “delight and inspire viewers,” according to a statement announcing the event.

St. Jude has also partnered with school spirit company Varsity Brandsfor a TikTokdance challenge to engage supporters willing to show off their best moves #forStJude.

“At St. Jude, our patient families remind us daily that no matter where we are in the world and whatever difficult circumstances we face, it’s important to find ways to be inspired and delighted, and never lose hope,” said Richard C. Shadyac Jr., president and CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in the statement.

“On May 5, we’ll all have the opportunity to come together in support of #GivingTuesdayNow, and to bring joy and meaningful impact to the lives of millions as we ‘Take 5 Together #forStJude. Let’s show the world that when facing some of life’s greatest challenges and even when we have to be physically apart, together, we can make a difference in the lives of others and the children at St. Jude.”

The stream will feature, dance lessons, cooking segments, live performances and virtual celebration surprises from celebrity friends and St. Jude patients; click hereto join the event.

JoAnna Garcia Swisher to Star in Netflix’s Series “Sweet Magnolias”

Posted on August 3, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a sweetday for JoAnna Garcia Swisher.

The 39-year-old half-Cuban American actress is set to lead the cast Netflix’s upcoming series Sweet Magnolias. She replaces Monica Potter who had been originally tapped for the series.

Sweet Magnolias, based on Sherryl Woods’ popular series of novels published by Harlequin imprint MIRA books, is set in the charming small town of Serenity, South Carolina. It centers on three women, played by Swisher, Brooke Elliott and Heather Headley, best friends since childhood.

Swisher will play Maddie Townsend, a low-key but resolute, warm and loving woman with a vocabulary like Southern poetry. She finds herself at a crossroads in her life and her best friends are trying desperately to convince her that now is the time for reinvention.

Woods executive produce with Sheryl J. Anderson, who also serves as showrunner.

Norman Buckley serves as co-executive producer and will direct six episodes of the series, which is currently filming.

Swisher is known for her starring roles in Kevin (Probably) Save the World and The Astronaut Wives Club, and recurring as Ariel on ABC’s Once Upon A Time.

JoAnna Garcia Swisher to Star in ABC’s Comedy Pilot “Happy Accident”

Posted on January 24, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

JoAnna Garcia Swisher has found her Happy place…

The 39-year-old half-Cuban American actress has landed a leading role opposite Matt Walshin Happy Accident, ABC’s single-camera family comedy pilot from Modern Family writers Abraham Higginbotham and Jon Pollack, 20th Century Fox Television.

Written and executive produced by Higginbotham and Pollack, Happy Accident revolves around two Pittsburgh families — a father, Bud (Walsh), with three adult daughters, and a hotel lounge singer with her med student son — who are forced together after a decades-old secret is revealed.

Swisher will play Eleanor Bennett, a professor at Pitt who is also Bud’s (Walsh) oldest daughter.

Swisher most recently starred as Amy Cabrera in Kevin (Probably) Saves the World)which aired for one season on ABC. She previously recurred as Arielon ABC’s Once Upon A Time and played a lead on the network’s limited series The Astronaut Wives Club.

On the film side, Swisher most recently appeared in Warner Brothers’ comedy Fist Fight.

Garcia Swisher to Star in CBS’ Comedy Pilot “The Kicker”

Posted on February 29, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Joanna Garcia Swisher’s career is getting a big kick(er)…

The 36-year-old half-Cuban American actress will co-star opposite Geoff Stults and David Spade in CBS’ The Kicker, a multi-camera comedy pilot from the 30 Rock and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt trio of Tina Fey, Jack Burditt and Robert Carlock.

Written by Burditt, The Kicker centers on Daryl Thorkelsonan (Stults), an oddball athlete who drives family, friends and strangers insane after he unexpectedly finds himself cut from his professional football team.

Swisher will play Bambi, Daryl’s (Stults) intelligent and patient wife and a physical therapist to pro athletes. Spade plays Russ Thorkelson, Daryl’s (Stults) brother and sports agent.

Swisher recently co-starred on ABC’s The Astronaut Wives Club and recurs as Ariel on ABC’s Once Upon a Time.

ABC to Launch Garcia Swisher’s “The Astronaut Wives Club” This June

Posted on April 21, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

JoAnna Garcia Swisher’s latest project is ready to blast off this summer…

ABC has scheduled The Astronaut Wives Club, starring the 35-year-old half-Cuban American actress, to premiere on Thursday, June 18, at 8:00 pm ET, leading to the two-hour season premiere of Mistresses.

The long-in-the-works drama series adaptation of t Lily Koppel’s book of the same name, is being produced by ABC Studios, Fake Empire and Groundswell.

Originally picked up straight-to-series for last summer, The Astronaut Wives Club was pushed to midseason 2015 last April to undergo creative changes.

Written by Stephanie Savage, it tells the real story of the women who stood beside some of the biggest heroes in American history during the height of the space race. In its first incarnation, the series was to cover only the wives of the astronauts from the Mercury missions. Its scope was subsequently expanded to also include the Gemini and Apollo missions.

The Astronaut Wives Club stars Garcia Swisher as Betty Grissom; Yvonne Strahovski as Rene Carpenter; Dominique McElligott as Louise Shepard; Odette Annable as Trudy Cooper; Erin Cummings as Marge Slayton; Azure Parsons as Annie Glenn; Zoe Boyle as Jo Schirra; Desmond Harrington as Alan Shepard; Bret Harrison as Gordo Cooper; Wilson Bethel as Scott Carpenter; Kenneth Mitchell as Deke Slayton; Joel Johnstone as Gus Grissom; Sam Reid as John Glenn and Aaron McCusker as Wally Schirra.

The first episode was directed by Lone Scherfig.

Garcia Swisher Lands Lead Role in CBS Comedy Pilot

Posted on February 28, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

JoAnna Garcia Swisher is heading back to television…

The 35-year-old half-Cuban American actress has been cast as the female lead opposite Tommy Johnagin in CBS’ untitled CBS comedy pilot inspired by the comedian’s life.

The pilot, from writers Justin Halpern and Patrick Schumacker, WBTV and Bill Lawrence’s studio-based Doozer, stars Johnagin as Tommy, a stand-up comic raising a family in a small Midwestern town.

Garcia Swisher plays Michelle, an accomplished pediatrician married to Tommy, with whom she has a daughter, Ashley.

Garcia Swisher’s previous television credits include Better With You amd Once Upon A Time.

Garcia Swisher’s “The Astronaut Wives Club” to Premiere on ABC in July

Posted on March 25, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

It’s shaping up to be an out of this world July for JoAnna Garcia Swisher…

The 34-year-old half-Cuban American actress upcoming ABC drama series The Astronaut Wives Club will premiere on Thursday, July 24, according to the network’s just-released summer premiere schedule.

Based on Lily Koppel’s novel of the same name, the 10-episode summer series comes from ABC Studios and tells the real story of the women who stood beside some of the biggest heroes in American history during the height of the space race.

Garcia Swisher portrays Betty Grissom, the wife of one of the original astronauts. A bouncy redhead with curls askew and a folksy Hoosier accent, she’s got a down-home appeal, which endears her to the public.

In addition to the former Better With You star, the series will also star House starlet Odette Annable.

Here’s the network’s full schedule:

Thursday, April 24 10-11 PM – Black Box (Series Premiere)

Sunday, May 18 8-11 PM – The 2014 Billboard Music Awards

Monday, May 19 9:30-11 PM – The Bachelorette

Wednesday, May 21 10-11 PM – Motive

Monday, May 26 8-10 PM – The Bachelorette (Regular Time Period Premiere)

Tuesday, May 27 8-10 PM – Extreme Weight Loss

Saturday, May 31 8-9 PM – Bet On Your Baby

Monday, June 2 10:01-11 PM – Mistresses

Thursday, June 5 8-8:30 PM – Jimmy Kimmel Live: Game Night

Thursday, June 19 8-9 PM – The Quest (New Series Premiere)

Sunday, June 22 7-9 PM – Wipeout (Special Two-Hour Premiere) 9-11 PM – Rising Star (Series Premiere)

Tuesday, June 24 10-11 PM – NY Med

Sunday, June 29 8-9 PM – Wipeout (Regular Time Period Premiere)

Thursday, July 17 10-11 PM – Rookie Blue

Thursday, July 24 9-10 PM – The Astronaut Wives Club (New Series Premiere)

Monday, August 4 8-10 PM – Bachelor In Paradise (New Series Premiere)

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