JoAnna Garcia Swisher is joining ABC’s Astronaut Wives Club set for the summer.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Garcia Swisher is the first wife cast for the series. She will portray Betty Grissom, the bouncy curly redhead, the wife of Gus Grissom, an original astronaut. Her character has a down-home feel and has a clairvoyant gift that is often too accurate. She fears her husband will die and becomes increasingly nervous. She raised her son while helping to put her husband Gus through college and she feels as though they are no longer a team.
The series comes from Fake Empire’s Stephanie Savage. She will write the script and executive produce along with Josh Schwartz (Fake Empire). Len Goldstein and Schwartz, both from Fake Empire, will executive produce with Michael London’s Groundswell. The series was picked up less than two weeks ago for a 10-episode order and will air during the summer.
The series is based on the 1960s true story of the women behind the biggest heroes in American History with the space race. This will be the first pilot Savage will write since co-creating Gossip Girl for the CW with Schwartz. It is based on Lily Koppel’s best-selling novel from last summer. Janice Williams presented the projected to Groundswell.
Garcia Swisher has a recurring role as Ariel in ABC’s Once Upon a Time. Her other credits include Animal Practice, Royal Pains and Better With You. She is currently repped by WME and John Carrabino.