Travis Kelce joins cast of new FX horror series 'Grotesquerie'
A week after signing for a big raise from the Kansas City Chiefs to become the league’s highest-paid tight end, NFL star Travis Kelce has landed a new role. Photos and video from the set of new FX horror series Grotesquerie revealed that Kelce is joining the cast alongside Niecy Nash-Betts, Courtney B. Vance and Lesley Manville, according to Deadline.
Though the Chiefs tight end has acted in other settings, including hosting SNL, Grotesquerie is considered his acting debut. Kelce, 34, is working with creator Ryan Murphy on Grotesquerie, along with collaborators Jon Robin Baitz and Joe Baken.
The series released a teaser in February via Ryan Murphy Productions. It included audio of Nash-Betts’ character who says: “I don’t know when it started, I can’t put my finger on it, but it’s different now. There’s been a shift, like something’s opening up in the world — a kind of hole that descends into a nothingness.”
Nash-Betts posted a video on social media teasing the reveal of her new cast member.
“Guys, guess who I am working with on ‘Grotesquerie?’” Nash-Betts asked as she revealed Kelce to the camera.
“Jumping into new territory with Niecy!” Kelce said.
The caption on the footage read: “This is what happens when WINNERS link up!! @killatrav Welcome to Grostequerie [sic].”
Kelce’s new gig comes months after winning his third Super Bowl with the Kansas City Chiefs. He is currently dating music superstar Taylor Swift and he hosts one of the most popular sports podcasts called New Heights with his brother, former NFL offensive lineman Jason Kelce. The opportunities just keep coming for the former Cincinnati Bearcats standout.
Kelce to host celebrity game show for Prime Video
The streaming service Prime Video announced last month that the Kansas City Chiefs tight end will host the new show Are You Smarter than a Celebrity?
The series is a spinoff of Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader? and will feature 20 episodes. Each game will welcome an adult contestant who will rely on a classroom full of celebrities from stage, screen and sports to help them answer 11 questions on a range of subjects pulled from elementary curriculum, to win $100,000.
“I grew up loving game shows, and I’m excited to be following in the footsteps of so many TV icons by hosting my very first one with Are You Smarter than a Celebrity,” Kelce said in a statement. “The original show is a great success, so to be bringing a new format with everyone’s favorite celebrities to the screen, will definitely be entertaining. I’m just happy to be on the hosting side of the equation here and excited to see how these famous faces keep up.”