WWE Enters the Microdrama Space with 'Agent of Shadows'; Drew McIntyre Takes the Lead Role

WWE Universe is officially part of the microdrama world. The sports entertainment powerhouse and microdrama platform ReelShort have released their first collaboration, 'Agent of Shadows', now available on ReelShort and social media. The series follows a secret agent who discovers a daughter he never knew existed and must now […]

The WWE Universe is officially part of the Microdrama universe.

Sports entertainment powerhouse and microdrama platform ReelShort released their first collaboration, Agent of Shadows, which premiered on ReelShort and social media on October 23rd. The series follows a secret agent who learns that she is the girl he never knew about and now has to protect a criminal organization.

This is the first project of the two companies since announcing their partnership in July this year. RELATED STORIES Jessica Biel to Play Hugh Hefner's Wife in Searchlight's "Co-Stars"

"ReelShort is the next iteration of how the younger generation in our country consumes content," said Ben Houser, president of WWE Scripted and Unscripted and Development. "They've really perfected the experience of a long narrative story and being able to consume it in bite-sized chunks. For WWE, that's where we want to meet our audience. We think you always have to understand where the audience is, and the audience is here now. They're on mobile." Popular in Variety

"Shadow Agent" features micro-drama stars Chase Matheson, Mark Herman and Kathryn Gibson. They will be joined by WWE talent including Drew McIntyre, Jacob Fatu, Joe Hendry, Nikita Lyons, Michael Hayes and Booker T among others.

McIntyre, in particular, takes on the lead role in the show, playing Roscoe, the right-hand man and technologist of secret agent Adam Hawke (Matson). This is the last major acting role for McIntyre, who has appeared in a number of films in recent years.

In addition to starring in the 2024 action film The Killer Game, McIntyre has filmed roles in the upcoming Highlander reboot with Henry Cavill as well as The Last Droid starring Russell Crowe.

"I was actually in Barcelona filming The Last Droid when Ben Houser called me," McIntyre said. "I've known him for years through WWE. When he comes up with an idea, I know it's a good thing... Right from that first conversation, I was like, 'This is something I want to be a part of.'

And while McIntyre says he still has "many years" left in his WWE career, taking on acting roles outside of the company has given him the opportunity to stretch himself in new ways.

"The movies I've been lucky enough to be involved in, I've never wanted to be the number three bad guy," he said. "I want something that challenges me, my ability to show my range, and this is exactly that."

But despite the fact that he regularly performs live TV shows in front of packed arenas every week, McIntyre was still nervous about making his first film.

"I was so nervous until I talked to Dave Bautista, who I've known for years, and he said, 'Wait until the red light, and you'll know exactly what to do,'" she said. "And sure enough, when the red light goes on, I relax, and it's very exciting."

Matheson, whose past micro-drama credits include "Married to Don" and "My Poor Husband's a Billionaire," was smitten the moment McIntyre took the stage.

"I've been told, 'He's tall and big,' and I'm like, 'Well, I'm tall and big,'" Matheson said with a laugh. Then he walked on stage and I thought, "This guy is like the Iron Giant." He was a really nice guy and I think I told him, you should pursue acting because you really have the talent for it. "You have natural charms."

Matheson, who has been in the microdrama space for years, said watching the genre evolve has been an incredible experience.

"I started when we were using iPhones and now we're using ARRI and RED," he said. “It's a full production, like a cinematic micro-drama, and it's really interesting... We shoot 12 to 14 hours a day, and we shoot maybe 20 scenes, so we move very quickly. So everyone is very professional and knows exactly what they are doing."

Sammy Howe, ReelShort's head of talent and business development, said the company immediately saw "common DNA" between itself and WWE. "Both kinds of storytelling are very dramatic, with much larger-than-life characters, and moments that make people wonder what's going to happen next," Hao says.

Howe feels the WWE partnership is a milestone for ReelShort and bodes well for the future of working with other major brands.

"Like Crocs, the first show we did for Crocs is Valentine's Day next year," he said. "So not only can we use content to tell brand stories, but we can definitely help them introduce a campaign or a certain season or a new product... and from brands, I see that becoming an alternative marketing campaign or campaign options for other brands."