This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Some noteworthy Utah talent is lining up behind the directorial debut of actor Christopher Gorham.
Gorham will star in and direct "We Love You, Sally Carmichael!," an indie comedy that will be shot in Utah this summer.
Gorham plays Simon Hayes, an author who has made millions writing, under the pseudonym Sally Carmichael, the young-adult romance series, "Siren," about a human woman and a merman. Simon is rather embarrassed by Sally's success, and at living a double life.
Gorham is best known for his long-running role of Auggie on the spy series "Covert Affairs," and for a recurring role as Henry Grubstick on the comedy "Ugly Betty." Gorham also starred in the 2001 LDS missionary drama "The Other Side of Heaven."
The main cast includes:
• Bitsie Tulloch ("Grimm") as Tess Perkins, the mother of a "Siren" superfan who gets caught up in Simon's double life.
• Sebastian Roché ("The Originals," "The Vampire Diaries") as Perry Quinn, a movie star who discovers Simon's secret.
• Jack McBrayer ("30 Rock") as Darren, Simon's kind yet duplicitous publisher.
• Paula Marshall (who co-starred with Gorham on the sitcom "Out of Practice") as Diane, a rival publisher who wants to out Simon as Sally's creator.
Utah actors will also be in the movie: David Nibley ("The Best Two Years"), Mallory Everton and Stacey Harkey (from KBYU's "Studio C"), and Lisa Valentine Clark ("Once I Was a Beehive").
"We Love You, Sally Carmichael!" is written by Daryn Tufts, who wrote and directed the 2010 romance "My Girlfriend's Boyfriend," which starred Gorham and Alyssa Milano. (Tufts is also recognized locally as Therm, the guy in the Questar Gas commercials.)
The movie is produced by Adam Abel, through his Go Films label — who produced the "Saints and Soldiers" movies and the LDS missionary drama "Freetown."