James Franco is making his entry into the microdrama space with “Love, Lies & Frank,” a new series now available exclusively on Shortical. The project marks one of the initial productions developed under SAG-AFTRA’s Verticals Agreement, bringing the acclaimed actor—recognized for films including “127 Hours” and “The Disaster Artist”—to the rapidly expanding short-form video sector.
The series centers on Jimmy Frank, portrayed by Franco, a charismatic yet troubled advertising executive navigating corporate pressures alongside personal demons involving both criminal and supernatural dangers. Running parallel to his story is the journey of employee Daniella Hanson, played by vertical-content veteran Neela Jolene, who must choose between professional ambition and a secret romantic relationship with Cameron Frank, portrayed by Eric Guilmette, the boss’s stepbrother.
Directed by Eric Wang Schwager and written by Melissa Lynn Moore, the microdrama represents part of a larger industry shift toward vertical storytelling. Other major entertainment figures, including Taye Diggs and Issa Rae, have similarly ventured into the format, signaling mainstream acceptance of mobile-first content. Knockout Shorts produced the series in collaboration with Gold Films, utilizing traditional filmmaking methods without AI-generated performances or digital replacements.
According to Shortical’s leadership, the platform attracts approximately 20 million episode plays monthly domestically, demonstrating significant audience appetite for premium short-form entertainment designed for mobile viewing.
Originally reported by Variety →
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