Nova Scotian actor-director Corey Bowles has played a pivotal role in the creation of a new series that chronicles the life of Canadian Olympic sprinter Ben Johnson. Bowles, known for his memorable portrayal of the character 'Corey' on the popular Halifax-shot series Trailer Park Boys, has transitioned to a successful career behind the camera since departing from the show in 2018.
In 2017, Bowles made a significant impact in the film industry with his directorial debut Black Cop, a gritty crime drama that garnered him the Best Director award at the Atlantic Film Festival. The film also won a Screen Nova Scotia Award for Best Feature Film, helping to establish Bowles’ reputation as a skilled filmmaker.
Continuing his creative endeavors, Bowles has directed episodes of successful television series like FBI: Most Wanted, Law & Order: Organized Crime, and the Halifax-shot legal drama Diggstown. However, he is particularly excited about his latest project, Hate the Player: The Ben Johnson Story, which is a satirical series exploring the life of the infamous 1988 Olympic champion Ben Johnson. The series addresses his rise to fame and fall from grace following the controversial stripping of his gold medal due to steroid use.
"There are a lot of stories out there and many pitched ideas about what his story was," Bowles stated, referencing the complexities and narratives surrounding Johnson's controversial career. "This one just sort of captured a version of him that put a shine to his name but also doesn't pull any punches on what went down." He emphasized that the series encapsulates Johnson's personality, providing depth to both the man and the events of his life.
Created by Anthony Q. Farrell, an Emmy-nominated writer known for his work on The Office and Shelved, Hate the Player is a six-part mockumentary that cleverly mixes fact and fiction. It depicts Johnson as he attempts to self-fund a film in order to set the record straight about his legacy. The show promises to take viewers into a world rife with ethically dubious coaching practices, performance-enhancing cover-ups, and misguided attempts at redemption.
"As soon as I read the first page—halfway down—I knew I had to be a part of this. It's so good," Bowles reflected on his initial reaction to the script. He appreciated the show's unique approach in presenting a significant event from their youth, injecting humor and a cathartic twist into it, calling it "awesome."
The series is currently streaming on both GameTV and Paramount+, featuring Shamier Anderson (known for John Wick: Chapter 4) in the role of Ben Johnson. The supporting cast includes notable actors Mark McKinney from Kids in the Hall and Karen Robinson from Schitt’s Creek.
Following the completion of Hate the Player, Bowles continues to work on various projects, recently directing an episode of Chicago Med, a long-running medical drama. He has plans to return to Halifax in the coming months as he works on a new film project based on a work by local author Andre Fenton. "We’ve been working together for the last couple of years getting that ready, so we're just about ready to get it going. Hopefully, that will be the next thing," Bowles expressed, indicating his eagerness to come back home.
