Comedian Bert Kreischer has finally traded the stand-up stage for scripted television with Free Bert, the six-episode Netflix comedy that dropped on January 22, 2026. Known for his shirtless antics and party-loving reputation, Kreischer now plays a fictionalized version of himself navigating the treacherous waters of Beverly Hills private school culture. But he’s not going it alone—an ensemble cast brings this fish-out-of-water story to life with humor, heart, and plenty of chaos. Here’s your complete breakdown of who’s who in Free Bert.
The Kreischer Family
At the center of this comedy is a family learning that sometimes fitting in means losing yourself—or does it?
Bert Kreischer as Himself
Naturally, Kreischer leads the cast as “Bert,” a version of himself that amplifies his real-life persona as the shirtless comedian and perpetual wildcard. When his daughters gain admission to an elite Beverly Hills private school, Bert faces an existential crisis: suppress his authentic, outrageous self to help his family fit in, or stay true to the party legend everyone knows.
The premise mirrors Kreischer’s actual life experience when his daughters entered private school, making the comedy deeply personal. Kreischer co-created the series with Jarrad Paul and Andy Mogel (Gringo, The Grinder), who also serve as showrunners, writers, and directors. For Kreischer, who’s released nearly six stand-up specials on Netflix, Free Bert represents his first major scripted television role.
Arden Myrin as LeeAnn
Comedian and actress Arden Myrin portrays LeeAnn, Bert’s wife and the mother of their two daughters. The character shares the same name as Kreischer’s real-life wife, LeeAnn Kreischer, who also serves as an executive producer on the series. Myrin’s LeeAnn comes from a trailer park background, providing contrast to the Beverly Hills elite they’re now navigating.
Myrin brings impressive comedy credentials to the role, known for her work in The Righteous Gemstones, Insatiable, and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. She’s also appeared in various sketch comedies alongside Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele, proving her ability to balance absurdist humor with grounded emotional moments.
Ava Ryan as Georgia
Social media sensation Ava Ryan plays Georgia, Bert’s eldest daughter who faces cyberbullying at her new school. Ryan has been featured in viral videos with her mother on Instagram, Vine, Facebook, and YouTube since childhood—most notably the “I smell like beef” video that racked up millions of views.
Free Bert marks Ryan’s first major acting role beyond her viral fame, though she previously appeared in Keeping Up With the Joneses. Georgia’s storyline exploring cyberbullying adds dramatic weight to the comedy, showing the real stakes of Bert’s decision to either conform or stay authentic.
Lilou Lang as Ila
Newcomer Lilou Lang portrays Ila, Bert’s younger daughter. Though Free Bert is Lang’s only IMDb credit, she previously appeared in a recreation scene on Drunk History, which she shared on Instagram. In the series, Ila becomes the voice encouraging her father to stay true to himself—advice that leads to predictably chaotic results and potential expulsion when Bert’s antics provoke the school’s popular crowd.
The Beverly Hills Elite
These characters represent the world Bert’s family is desperately trying to join—or perhaps trying to survive.
Chris Witaske as Landon Vanderthal
Chris Witaske plays Landon Vanderthal, one half of an intolerable parent duo at the elite private school. Witaske brings comedic timing honed through multiple acclaimed series, most notably The Bear, where his performance earned widespread recognition. He’s also appeared in Netflix’s Love, Amazon’s The Lake with Nicole Kidman, and served as a judge on Is It Cake?
His film credits include Isn’t It Romantic and The Unicorn, establishing his ability to play both supporting and scene-stealing roles. Landon represents everything Bert finds insufferable about Beverly Hills culture—and everything he might become if he conforms too much.
Mandell Maughan as Chanel Vanderthal
Maughan portrays Chanel Vanderthal, Landon’s on-screen wife and the other half of the power-parent couple. She’s best known for her role in Resident Alien and has also appeared in Me, Myself and I. Together with Witaske, Maughan creates the kind of Beverly Hills parents who make school drop-off feel like a competitive sport.
Sophia Reid-Gantzert as Kirsten
Reid-Gantzert plays Kirsten, the popular girl at school whose conflict with Bert’s family threatens their social standing. When Bert’s antics provoke Kirsten, the consequences ripple through both families. Reid-Gantzert is recognized for her roles in Hulu’s Death and Other Details, Netflix’s The Baby-Sitters Club, and the film 8-Bit Christmas.
The Supporting Players
Rounding out the cast are several talented actors whose characters help flesh out Bert’s Beverly Hills nightmare.
Christine Horn
Horn appears in a recurring role, though Netflix has kept character details under wraps. She’s appeared in Prime Video’s Classified, Starz’s BMF, and Showtime’s The Chi. Her film credits include Tyler Perry’s A Madea Homecoming, the comedy Fool’s Paradise starring Charlie Day, and Ben Affleck’s The Way Back.
Matthew Del Negro
Del Negro joins the cast in a recurring role with undisclosed character details. The veteran actor brings gravitas from roles in The Sopranos, Scandal, and Mayor of Kingstown. He’s also set to appear in Neagley, the upcoming Reacher spin-off, and Crime 101.
Robert Mello
Mello’s character remains a mystery, but his diverse resume includes Killing It, Candy, Sistas, The Resident, and the film The Beanie Bubble. His ability to work across genres suggests a character who might surprise viewers.
Braxton Alexander
Alexander, known for The Righteous Gemstones, Black Bird, and The Summer I Turned Pretty, represents the younger generation of actors joining Kreischer’s comedy world. His character specifics haven’t been revealed, but his previous roles suggest someone who can handle both drama and comedy.
Noshir Dalal
Voice actor and performer Dalal rounds out the ensemble. Known primarily for video game voice work including Red Dead Redemption II and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, along with the web series Candela Obscura, Dalal’s live-action appearance in Free Bert expands his on-screen presence.
Final Take
The brilliance of Free Bert‘s casting lies in mixing established comedy veterans like Myrin and Witaske with fresh faces like Ava Ryan and Lilou Lang. This blend mirrors the show’s central tension—Bert’s authentic wildness clashing with Beverly Hills polish. With Kreischer’s real-life wife serving as executive producer and the fictional family mirroring his actual experiences, Free Bert promises comedy grounded in genuine emotional stakes.
Whether Bert learns to fit in, stays true to himself, or finds some middle ground, this ensemble cast ensures the journey will be anything but predictable.
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