Nic Bishop

Coach Tandy Gerelds

Nic Bishop has enjoyed a career that has spanned television, film and theater. Born in Britain and raised in Australia, he is perhaps best known to American audiences for his starring role in the ABC medical drama BODY OF PROOF, in which he played medico-legal investigator Peter Dunlop. He also starred in the USA Network original international spy drama COVERT AFFAIRS as Ryan McQuaid, a former Navy SEAL turned private contractor billionaire who retained a taste and talent for field work.

Additional U.S. television credits include DOMINION, CSI, NCIS: LOS ANGELES, HOT IN CLEVELAND, NECESSARY ROUGHNESS, CASTLE and THE GLADES. His Australian TV work includes HOME AND AWAY, FAT TONY & CO. and WHITE COLLAR BLUE. Bishop has also appeared in the films STAY THEN GO, THE MENTOR, BLACK LIMOSINE, PUNISHMENT and WALKING ON WATER. Bishop has taken to the stage with productions including HAMLET, MACBETH and OTHELLO, and is a graduate of the National Institute of Dramatic Art in Australia.

Sherri Shepherd

Louise Nathan

Sherri Shepherd has a magnetic personality and hilarious sense of humor that never fails to delight audiences. In August 2009, Shepherd was a part of groundbreaking history when the hosts of THE VIEW won the Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Talk Show Host. That same year, she and the co-hosts were chosen as part of the “100 Most Influential People in the World” by Time magazine while Forbes ranked The View hosts #11 among the top “30 of the Most Influential Women in Media.” After co-hosting the show from 2007 to 2014, Shepherd recently announced her return.

In addition to daytime television, Sherri competed in the fourteenth season of ABC’s wildly popular, DANCING WITH THE STARS. She continues to be a memorable player in prime time and frequently guest-starred on the Emmy award-winning series 30 ROCK as Tracy Morgan’s wife, Angie Jordan. Sherri executive produced and starred in her own sitcom SHERRI on Lifetime and has made laugh-out-loud appearances in LESS THAN PERFECT, EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND, JOAN OF ARCADIA, SUDDENLY SUSAN and THE JAMIE FOXX SHOW. She got rave reviews in the lead dramatic role of Joy White in the Lifetime movie ABDUCTED: THE CARLINA WHITE STORY and co-starred with Katherine Heigl in ONE FOR THE MONEY. Additionally, she has appeared in such feature films as the award-winning PRECIOUS based on the novel “Push” by Sapphire; MADAGASCAR: ESCAPE 2 AFRICA, GUESS WHO, WHO’S YOUR CADDY, BEAUTY SHOP AND CELLULAR. Sherri also had a successful run in the critically acclaimed off-Broadway hit LOVE, LOSS AND WHAT I WORE.

Devon Franklin

Pastor

Devon Franklin serves as the President/CEO of Franklin Entertainment, a new first-look production company with Sony Pictures Entertainment.

As the former Senior Vice President of Columbia TriStar Pictures, DeVon worked on a number of the studio’s most successful films, including THE KARATE KID, THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS and JUMPING THE BROOM. Recently, Franklin oversaw the sleeper hit HEAVEN IS FOR REAL, produced on a modest $12 million budget, which outpaced all industry estimates and grossed more than $100 million worldwide at the box office.

In addition to his entertainment-industry pursuits, Franklin is a growing force in media. He's made appearances on CNN, FOX News, OWN’s Super Soul Sunday Show, Oprah’s LifeClass, OWN’s Help Desk Show and the Dr. Phil Show.He’s a published author, preacher and highly sought after motivational speaker who wrote "Produced By Faith," a best-selling how-to guide about pursuing your career without compromising your faith.

Ebony Magazine has name him one of the top 100 influential African-Americans in America and Beliefnet named him one of “Most Influential Christians Under 40.”

He began his career as an intern for Will Smith and James Lassiter at Overbrook Entertainment. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a minor in Cinema-Television from the University of Southern California.

He lives in Los Angeles and is married to the love of his life, Meagan.

Mark Burnett

Executive Producer

Mark Burnett is Chief Executive Officer of the United Artists Media Group (an MGM company) and an eight-time Emmy Award winner. Burnett has produced more than 2,900 hours of television programming, which regularly airs in more than 70 countries worldwide. The company Burnett leads, United Artist Media Group (UAMG), currently has 10 network TV shows airing or in production, including SURVIVOR (CBS), THE VOICE (NBC), SHARK TANK (ABC), BEYOND THE TANK (ABC), CELEBRITY APPRENTICE (NBC), ARE YOU SMARTER THAN A 5TH GRADER (FOX), 500 QUESTIONS (ABC), AMERICA’S NEXT WEATHERMAN WITH FUNNY OR DIE (TBS), AMERICA’S GREATEST MAKERRS (TBS) and THE PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS (CBS). Burnett is one of very few producers to have had a renewed series on each of the four major networks and to have multiple series win their time slots on five nights of television in the same week.

Additionally, Burnett and his wife Roma Downey have produced (under UAMG’s LightWorkers Media banner) the 10-hour miniseries THE BIBLE that premiered on History Channel in March 2013 and was watched by over 100 million people in the US alone, the 2014 feature film SON OF GOD (20th Century Fox). Together, Burnett and Downey have recently produced THE WOMEN OF THE BIBLE or LIFETIME, THE DOVEKEEPERS for CBS, A.D. THE BIBLE CONTINUES for NBC, ANSWERED PRAYERS for TLC and the feature film LITTLE BOY for Open Road Films. The couple is currently developing a new series for NASCAR as well as producing the epic feature film BEN-HUR, a reimagining of the classic story with MGM and Paramount, set to release Spring 2016.

Sean Astin

Hank

Sean Astin is well known for his film debut portraying Mikey in Steven Spielberg's THE GOONIES, for playing the title role in the critically acclaimed RUDY, and for his role as the beloved Sam Gamgee in the Academy Award winning trilogy, THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING, THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS (2002), and THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING.

Astin was born Sean Patrick Duke on February 25, 1971 in Santa Monica, California. His mother is actress Patty Duke. At the time of his birth, his biological father was believed to be entertainer Desi Arnaz Jr., but Astin discovered through a DNA test in the 1990s that his biological father is music promoter Michael Tell, who was married to Patty Duke in 1970. Sean was raised by his stepfather, actor John Astin, who married Patty Duke in 1972 and whose surname Sean took. Sean's mother has Irish and German ancestry, and Sean's biological father is of Austrian Jewish descent.

At age nine, Sean starred with his mother in the after-school special PLEASE DON'T HIT ME, MOM. Followed by Sean's feature debut THE GOONIES and since then, he has had a steady stream of roles, Starring in TOY SOLDIERS, WHERE THE DAY TAKES YOU, RUDY and the Showtime movie HARRISON BERGERON. He also appeared in The Erwin Brothers’ comedy MOM’S NIGHT OUT. He directed and co-produced the short film KANGAROO COURT, which was nominated in the best short film category at The 67th Annual Academy Awards. Sean's adoptive father John Astin was nominated for the same award in 1969. In 2004, Sean broke into the publishing world and authored the NY Times Best Selling release of 'There and Back Again' a memoir of his film career (co-written with Joe Layden).

Jon Voight

Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant

Jon voight is an Oscar-winning actor who has been a motion picture star for four decades, beginning in 1969 with his role in the groundbreaking Oscar-winning Best Picture MIDNIGHT COWBOY. Voight earned an Academy Award nomination for his performance as Joe Buck in the film, also winning a Golden Globe, a BAFTA Award, and Best Actor Awards from the New York Film Critics Association and the National Society of Film Critics.

He won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his work in the 1978 drama COMING HOME. For his portrayal of a Vietnam veteran who was paralyzed in the war, he also won a Golden Globe Award, as well as Best Actor honors from the Cannes Film Festival, the New York and Los Angeles Film Critics Associations, and the National Board of Review.

Voight received his third Oscar nomination, for Best Actor, for his performance in Andrei Konchalovsky’s thriller RUNAWAY TRAIN. He earned his latest Oscar nomination, in the category of Best Supporting Actor, for his portrayal of Howard Cosell in Michael Mann’s biopic ALI, for which he also gained another Golden Globe nomination. In addition, he has garnered Golden Globe nominations for his roles in John Boorman’s classic action film DELIVERANCE, Franco Zeffirelli’s THE CHAMP, and for starring in Francis Ford Coppola’s THE RAINMAKER.

Voight is currently starring in the drama RAY DONOVAN which can be seen on Showtime. Among his recent appearances were roles in such films as Michael Bay’s blockbuster TRANSFORMERS,; the hit NATIONAL TREASURE and its sequel, NATIONAL TREASURE: BOOK OF SECRETS; GLORY ROAD; and Jonathan Demme’s remake of THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE, with Meryl Streep. He also made a cameo appearance as himself in the hit comedy TROPIC THUNDER.

Kevin Downes

Producer

Kevin Downes has now produced two films with The Erwin Brothers, and his producing, acting, directing and writing career spans over 20 years.

Some of Downes’ fan favorite roles include Officer Shane Fuller in COURAGEOUS and the video-game-loving, best friend, Kevin, in MOMS’ NIGHT OUT. He produced the critically acclaimed LIKE DANDELION DUST, from best-selling author Karen Kingsbury, and also produced, co-wrote and starred in the recent Pure Flix theatrical release, FAITH OF OUR FATHERS. Behind the camera, Downes has directed AMAZING LOVE and SIX: THE MARK UNLEASHED.

His vision is to produce and create films that glorify God and shine a light on the love of Jesus Christ.

Roma Downey

Executive Producer

Roma Downey is a celebrated, Emmy-nominated actress and producer best known for her nine seasons as the tender-hearted angel on the hit CBS television show "Touched by an Angel" for which Downey earned multiple Emmy and Golden Globe best actress nominations.

As President of LightWorkers Media, a United Artists Media Group banner, Downey together with her husband Mark Burnett produced the Emmy® nominated miniseries, THE BIBLE for History Channel, which was watched by over 100 million people in the US alone. THE BIBLE became the fastest selling DVD in the last 5 years. Downey and Burnett have also produced SONG OF GOD, a feature film that stunned the box office as the second-highest faith movie opening of all time. The Hollywood trade publication Variety recognized Downey and Burnett as "Trailblazers" and listed Downey as Variety’s ‘100 Most Powerful Women in Hollywood.’ The Hollywood Reporter included the couple in their ‘Most Influential People of 2013’ Downey won the 2014 ‘Movie Guide Grace Award’ for her role as Mother Mary. Downey was also honored on Variety’s Women of Impact in 2014. Together, Downey and Burnett have recently produced WOMEN OF THE BIBLE for LIFETIME, THE DOVEKEEPERS for CBS, A.D. THE BIBLE CONTINUES for NBC, ANSWERED PRAYERS for TLC and the feature film LITTLE BOY for Open Road Films. The couple is currently producing a new series for NASCAR as well as producing the epic feature film BEN-HUR a reimagining of the classic story with MGM and Paramount, set to release Spring 2016.

Caleb Castille

Tony Nathan

Caleb Castille had less than three days to prepare for his first acting role ever after the writing-directing-producing team of Jon and Andrew Erwin chose him to play the lead, Tony Nathan, in their true high school football drama, WOODLAWN. While Castille's last minute casting call has all the hallmarks of the classic understudy-becomes-the-star story - he had been training to be the onscreen football body double for the original actor - upon closer examination, Castille's "discovery" by Hollywood and casting as Birmingham's first African American football star seems all but inevitable.

Born in Columbus, Georgia in 1991, Castille grew up in one of Alabama's leading football family dynasties. Two generations of Castille’s family -- his father, Jeremiah, and his two older brothers, Tim and Simeon -- played football at the University of Alabama and went on to play in the NFL. One of six children and the youngest of three brothers, Castille played football at Birmingham's prestigious Briarwood Christian High School, where he distinguished himself as a wide receiver and defensive back. In 2010, he became the third Castille brother in 10 years to graduate from Briarwood and go on to play football for the legendary Crimson Tide.

Castille’s decision to attend the University of Alabama, while keeping with the family tradition, also showed his capacity for taking risks in pursuit of a dream. Although he was a widely recruited high school football player, he turned down scholarships elsewhere to go to top-ranked Alabama, even though the 5'10" 175-lbs. freshman did not have a starting position on the team and would have to take his chances in summer try outs and fall camp, as a "walk on." In 2010, Castille "walked on" and landed himself a position as cornerback, eventually playing on back-to-back national championship teams. But in the spring of 2013, he stepped away from football, quitting the team, to pursue another dream - acting. His parents said he could do it as long as he stayed in school. After putting together his head shots and information and sending them to the top modeling and talent agencies in New York, Nashville and Atlanta, Castille signed with The Block Agency in nearby Nashville, Tennessee.

C. Thomas Howell

Shorty White

C. Thomas Howell was born in Los Angeles to Candice (Webb) and Chris Howell, a professional bull rider turned stuntman. He started working in the film industry at the age of seven. In 1981, he was cast as Tyler in Steven Spielberg's E.T. THE EXTRA TERRESTRIAL. Shortly thereafter, he nabbed the lead in Francis Ford Coppola's classic THE OUTSIDERS, starring opposite the likes of Diane Lane, Patrick Swayze, Matt Dillon, and Tom Cruise. It was Howell's gripping performance as the tough, yet vulnerable Ponyboy Curtis that made him a household name virtually overnight. Earmarked as an up-and-coming actor, Howell's career soon skyrocketed with roles in films including the comedy GRANDVIEW, U.S.A. (1984), alongside Jamie Lee Curtis, and the Cold War invasion drama RED DAWN (1984).

He has notched appeared in more than 90 feature films, including starring roles in SIDE OUT (1990), GETTYSBURG (1993), BABY FACE NELSON (1996), FATAL AFFAIR (1998), ASYLUM DAYS (2001) and HOBOKEN HOLLOW (2006).

He played unpredictable Officer Bill "Dewey" Dudek in the TNT drama SOUTHLAND. Other recent television appearances include THE GLADES on A&E as well as TORCHWOOD on the Starz Channel. He also appeared in THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN (2012).

He has directed a number of films, including THE BIG FALL, PURE DANGER and EDGAR RICE BURROUGHS’ THE LAND THAT TIME FORGOT.

Outside of his acting career, Howell is an accomplished team roper. he lives with his wife Sylvie, and their three children Isabelle, Dashiell and Liam.

The Erwin Brothers

Writers/Directors/Producers

Jon and Andy Erwin are a directing team that focuses on creating faith-based and inspirational feature films. The duo began their career when they were teenagers, working as camera operators for ESPN in their hometown of Birmingham, Ala. They soon embarked on full-time careers as sports cameramen covering University of Alabama games all over the country. The brothers had the opportunity to work with ESPN College Football Primetime, FOX NFL, and the NBA covering events like the XGames and the Super Bowl.

In 2002, the Erwin Brothers started their own production company. They ventured into creating commercials, documentaries and music videos. They found their greatest success in the world of music. Soon they were directing music videos and producing concerts and television programs for platinum artists like Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, Casting Crowns, Switchfoot, Skillet, and others. The brothers received 11 nominations and were honored with wins for Music Video Of The Year at the GMA Dove Awards for three consecutive years.

The Erwin Brothers have also produced and directed several documentaries. These include the multi-award winning 9/11 story, The Cross and the Towers, a music documentary with the band Third Day, titled Live Relations, The Mysterious Islands, a documentary filmed in the Galapagos Islands, and the international dramatic short film series, God Provides.

In 2010 the Erwin Brothers shifted their focus and began exclusively developing dramatic feature films. Their debut feature, released by Samuel Goldwyn, was a coming of age drama titled October Baby. October Baby opened in the top ten movies in America, and eventually earned over $5 million at the box office. The duo completed filming their second feature film, Moms’ Night Out, for Sony’s Affirm Films and Provident Films (Courageous). The family comedy stars Sarah Drew (Grey’s Anatomy), Patricia Heaton (Everybody Loves Raymond, The Middle) Sean Astin (Rudy, The Lord of the Rings) and Trace Adkins (Celebrity Apprentice). The film released theatrically nationwide in 2014.

Mark Ellis

Stunt Coordinator

Mark Ellis has for more than 20 years been a leader in scripted sports action for Hollywood productions. Ellis has directed Oscar-winning actors and Hall of Fame athletes in over 40 movies grossing more than 1 billion dollars at the box office, including THE DARK KNIGHT RISES, THE LONGEST YARD (2005), WE ARE MARSHALL, VARSITY BLUES and THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN. He's also collaborated on multiple TV projects and commercial development.

Ellis made his directorial debut in 2012, with ONE HEART, a true story about a football team, made up of juvenile offenders, and a small town football coach who made a decision that would change the lives of the players on the field that night.

Ellis has been a critical component in films honored with nine ESPY nominations for “Best Sports Movie of the Year,” including three award winning films for THE ROOKIE, MIRACLE, and SEMI-PRO. Ellis played college football at Appalachian State, graduated from the University of South Carolina.