Sage Steele Joins Cast of Right-Wing Animated Series ‘Mr. Birchum’ – Replacing Candace Owens

Sage Steele and Candace Owens (Credit: Shutterstock and YouTube/Daily Wire)

Former ESPN anchor Sage Steele has been cast in a voice role on The Daily Wire’s new animated comedy Mr. Birchum, about a “no-nonsense” teacher facing off with a “social justice warrior.”

According to a recent press release, the series will premiere May 12 on DailyWire+, streaming home of The Daily Wire conservative news platform founded by right-wing commentator Ben Shapiro and film director Jeremy Boreing.

Steele will play Deena, wife of Birchum’s best friend.

Conservative commentator Candace Owens was originally announced as playing Deena.

But The Daily Wire parted ways with Owens last month, reportedly after Shapiro took issue with her comments critical of Israel and its response to the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas fighters.

Related StoryCandace Owens Dropped by Right-Wing Media Network Daily Wire

Steele was brought in to play Deena after Owens departed the company.

“When I got the call from Adam and the Daily Wire team to be part of Mr. Birchum, it was a no-brainer for me!” Steele told Deadline. “I’m a huge fan of everyone involved and am honored to be included in such a powerhouse lineup of comedians. In this insane cultural moment, it’s more important than ever to speak the truth, even when it’s unpopular.”

Steele exited ESPN last summer amid controversy over her comments criticizing the network for requiring employees to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

She also faced anger for bashing fellow female sports reporters for the way they dress, and for criticizing former President Barack Obama for identifying as Black “considering his Black dad was nowhere to be found but his white mom and grandma raised him.”

Steele sued the network over free speech after she was disciplined. On Aug. 15, 2023, she announced the two sides had reached a settlement and she was leaving ESPN to speak “more freely.”

The sports reporter is now getting into acting.

She joins a voice cast for Mr. Birchum that includes series creator Adam Carolla, Megyn Kelly, Brett Cooper, Kyle Dunnigan, Tyler Fischer, Rob Riggle, Alonzo Bodden, Jay Mohr, Danny Trejo, Patrick Warburton, and Roseanne Barr.

According to the official description, the series follows “Mr. Birchum, the no-nonsense teacher, navigating Teddy Roosevelt Junior High with his family — Wendi, Eddie, and stepdaughter Jeanie. Partnering with his friend, Gage, Mr. Birchum faces off against the dynamic advocate for change, the fanatical social justice warrior, Karponzi.”

Executive producers are Jeremy Boreing, Ben Shapiro, Caleb Robinson, Adam Carolla, Mike August, Nate Adams who is also showrunner.


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