![Lamorne Morris and Abby Elliott Join Heidi Gardner and William H. Macy in ‘The Swimming Lesson'</TITLE]](https://i3.wp.com/www.hollywoodreporter.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Lamorne-Morris-Abby-Elliott-Michael-Strassner-and-Joey-Bicicchi-Getty-H-2026.jpg?w=1296&h=730&crop=1&ssl=1 "Lamorne Morris and Abby Elliott Join Heidi Gardner and William H. Macy in ‘The Swimming Lesson'</TITLE]")
Lamorne Morris and Abby Elliott Join Heidi Gardner and William H. Macy in ‘The Swimming Lesson'</TITLE]
The cast for the upcoming dramedy feature “The Swimming Lesson,” starring Heidi Gardner and William H. Macy, continues to expand with several new additions.
Lamorne Morris (*Spider-Black*, *Fargo*), Abby Elliott (*The Bear*, *SNL*), Michael Strassner (*The Baltimorons*), and Joey Bicicchi (*Rudderless*) have all joined the cast of “The Swimming Lesson.” This indie film, written and directed by Casey Twenter, is scheduled to begin production next month in Gardner’s hometown of Kansas City.
</p>“The Swimming Lesson” follows Tay (Gardner), a single mother who returns to her childhood home after a complex life in Los Angeles. She becomes entangled in a custody battle regarding her son, Albee, an autistic child who finds solace in the ocean but fears the water. Macy stars as Leonard, Tay’s blunt and outspoken father who maintains a deep loyalty to his daughter and grandson.
</p>Morris portrays Caleb, a charming swim instructor, while Elliott plays Vickie, the new wife of Tay’s former partner. Strassner is cast as Tay’s longtime friend, Reiger, and Bicicchi plays Steve, Albee’s newly sober father.
</p>Newcomer Hudson Escudero will make his feature film debut as Albee. In an effort to ensure authenticity, the production specifically sought a young autistic performer to inhabit the role.
</p> <img class="c-lazy-image__img lrv-u-background-color-grey-lightest lrv-u-width-100p lrv-u-display-block lrv-u-height-auto" src="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/wp-content/themes/vip/pmc-hollywoodreporter-2021/assets/public/lazyload-fallback.gif" data-lazy-src="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Heidi-Gardner-and-William-H-Macy-Split-Getty-H-2026.jpg?w=1296" alt="" data-lazy-srcset="" data-lazy-sizes="" height="730" width="1296" decoding="async"/> <span class="a-font-secondary-s lrv-u-margin-r-025">Heidi Gardner (left) and William H. Macy</span>
Nina Westervelt/Variety/Getty Images; Kristina Bumphrey/Variety/Getty Images
</figcaption>This project marks the solo directorial feature debut for Casey Twenter, who co-wrote the script with Jeff Robison. The duo previously collaborated on the 2014 drama *Rudderless*, which served as Macy’s directorial debut and gained recognition after its Sundance premiere.
</p>“This is a deeply personal story, and the talent involved is incredible,” says Twenter. “I am incredibly grateful that these actors have chosen to bring this project to life with me. Their enthusiasm for the material has been energizing from the very beginning.”
The producers of “The Swimming Lesson” include Dan Koetting (KP’s Remain), Jeff Robison (Kindling Productions), Jen Greenstreet, Mandi Kearns (Just Like You Films), and Keith Kjarval (Unified Pictures). The crew also features cinematographer Mark Williams and composer Mateo Messina, with casting handled by Stefanie Seifer and Hailey Giles of Spark Casting.
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