A controversial Olympic story is getting a wild new twist on TV. 🏃‍♂️🎬
The upcoming series “Hate the Player: The Ben Johnson Story” is bringing the infamous 1988 doping scandal to life — but with a satirical spin.

‘Hate the Player: The Ben Johnson Story’ Gets Trailer and Premiere Date

The upcoming comedy series “Hate the Player: The Ben Johnson Story” will premiere March 26 on GameTV and March 27 on Paramount+ in Canada, giving viewers a bold and humorous take on one of sports’ most infamous scandals.

The six-episode show stars Shamier Anderson as Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson, whose Olympic triumph in 1988 turned into global controversy after he tested positive for steroids.

The Story Behind the Series

Ben Johnson made history during the 1988 Seoul Olympics, winning gold in the 100-meter sprint in what became known as “the dirtiest race in history.”

Just days later, the victory was stripped away after Johnson tested positive for the banned steroid stanozolol, creating one of the biggest scandals in Olympic history.

The new series explores that story through a mix of satirical comedy and cultural commentary.

Producers say the show will:

Blend fact and fiction
Use absurd humor to revisit the scandal
Follow Johnson as he tries to “set the record straight” through a self-funded documentary

Star-Studded Cast

The series features a strong ensemble cast alongside Anderson.

Notable roles include:

Andrew “King Bach” Bachelor as American rival Carl Lewis
Karen Robinson (Schitt’s Creek)
Mark McKinney (Kids in the Hall, Superstore)
Ennis Esmer (Blindspot)

Several athletes and celebrities also appear in cameo roles, including:

WWE star Chelsea Green
NASCAR driver Amber Balcaen
Olympic figure skater Elvis Stojko

A Unique Blend of Comedy and Sports History

Created by Anthony Q. Farrell, the series aims to present Johnson’s story through an unusual lens.

The show is described as:

“Equal parts absurdist comedy and cultural critique.”

The narrative dives into topics such as:

questionable coaching practices
performance-enhancing drug coverups
attempts at redemption after scandal

Episode Release Schedule

The rollout will begin with two episodes on March 26, followed by additional episodes released weekly.

Release plan

March 26: First two episodes on GameTV
March 27: Paramount+ Canada release
Weekly episodes afterward

A Story That Still Fascinates Sports Fans

Decades after the scandal, Ben Johnson’s Olympic fall from grace remains one of the most discussed moments in sports history.

By mixing comedy, satire, and real events, the series hopes to offer a fresh look at the race — and the controversy — that shocked the world.