Pictured above, l. to r. are: Henderson, Ross, Carney, Parker and Baker.
Longtime Arkansas media executive Heather Baker and her husband, Ryan Parker, are set to make their on-screen acting debut with recurring roles in an upcoming drama series.
The production, titled “The Big D,” is filmed partly in Hot Springs and marks a unique transition for the couple from publishing and business into the entertainment industry. Read more below.
The series, produced by Film Mafia Entertainment, represents the first series effort by creators Greg Carney and Evan Ross. “The Big D” tells a complex story of family, loss, morality, and redemption.
Baker and Parker are cast as recurring foster parents to Jax, a character played by Josh Henderson. In the series, Jax’s life is thrown into chaos and greed following the death of his biological father, a Texas oil tycoon, leaving the characters and audience with a central mystery:
“Who killed King Oil?”
Filming for the series takes place in Dallas, Texas, and Hot Springs, Arkansas, which is Carney’s hometown. Film Mafia recently completed filming for another star-studded feature film, “Turnbuckle,” in the Hot Springs area. Like “Turnbuckle,” “The Big D” will utilize an innovative “ecosystem marketing” strategy, featuring behind-the-scenes documentary content to introduce viewers to the show’s characters and scenic locations ahead of its official premiere.
According to Baker, Carney approached the couple about joining the cast while discussing post-“Turnbuckle” collaborations. Although neither Baker nor Parker had previously pursued acting, they welcomed the unique opportunity. Baker noted that Carney has been intentional about casting people who naturally fit their characters’ dynamics, allowing the couple to display their actual personalities and relationship banter on screen.
Baker has been a prominent figure in Arkansas media for three decades, serving as president and publisher of AY Media Group. She joined the company as publisher in 2017 and rose to president in 2021, overseeing major publications including AY About You and Arkansas Money & Politics. Parker, a seasoned business executive and fitness enthusiast who has led major medical device and software companies, also contributes to AY Media Group through advertising sales, partnerships, and content development.
While the couple is unsure where their acting venture might lead, Baker expressed enthusiasm for the journey. “We’re taking it one step at a time,” she said, adding that they are focusing on enjoying the experience and seeing where the opportunity leads.
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