(Published ahead of McMiller’s Shark Tank episode airing December 10th)

What happens when two actors fall in love, build a game company as a side hustle, and suddenly find themselves on national television pitching to the Sharks?

You get McMiller Games, the award-winning, viral hitmakers behind It’s Bananas, The Cat Mitt Game, Fire In the Hole, and their latest TAGIE-nominated game Fish Fight. Founded by married duo David McGranaghan and Julian Miller, McMiller has gone from DIY Amazon beginnings to a full-blown industry player, recognized with the 2022 TAGIE Rising Star Innovator of the Year award, just in time for their biggest spotlight yet.

We sat down with the pair to talk about their leap from acting to entrepreneurship, how working with your spouse really works, and why 2026 might just be their biggest year yet.

You both started as actors before games took off. What did that phase of life look like?

Julian: When we met on a blind date, we were both grinding away in the acting world. David was playing a lead in Jersey Boys, and I was doing TV and film, including a very proud moment in Spy with Melissa McCarthy. Acting was exciting… and unpredictable. You’d have a month of work and then three months of auditions.

David: We were always the ones asked to bring the fun to family Christmas and we never could find something that hit the spot for all generations and taste.  So we started making our own games that were easy to learn, genuinely funny, and playable for everyone. They became a bit of a hit with our nearest and dearest. After a while, we looked at each other and thought: maybe this isn’t just a family thing, maybe this is a business we could actually build.

At what moment did you realize the “side hustle” had become the main act?

David: The day It’s Bananas went viral. Full stop.

Julian: We’d created a handful of games by then, but It’s Bananas blew the roof off. I started posting on TikTok, and the second video went viral, racking up over 50 million views. Things took off from there, we watched inventory disappear faster than we could make it. At the same time, we were still auditioning and pitching TV and game shows in LA. But it got to a point where we had to choose: acting or the company. We went with the thing that was growing, and honestly, the thing that made us genuinely excited every single day.

So now you’re married… and business partners. What is that like?

Julian: It’s like building IKEA furniture: you either come out stronger or you never speak again.

David: Luckily, we came out stronger… so far anyway. Working with your partner means you can’t hide. You see each other’s best ideas, worst moods, biggest dreams, and occasional meltdowns. But it also means we build everything on trust. We know exactly why the other person cares so much.

Julian: And we never argue about money as we share,

Your success has been heavily tied to e‑commerce. What did those early years look like?

David: Wild. We were essentially running a global business from our laptops, with just the two of us and our assistant Kate. Our games photographed well, demonstrated well, and shared well—so e‑com was natural for us. We were very much in the algorithm for several years.

Julian: But as great as that was, we realized something: the e‑com engine doesn’t replace the industry itself. The community, the conversations, the guidance—you only really get that when you’re physically around other people in the business.

This was your first year attending trade shows—New York, Nuremberg, GAMA and NETS. How did that change things for you?

Julian: So much. It was the first time we stepped out from behind our screens and into the room. And honestly? We should’ve done it sooner.

David: Being around peers, playtesters, retailers, inventors—even competitors—was incredibly grounding. You suddenly see the bigger picture: where your products sit, what people respond to, what the market is missing.

Julian: And we started meeting people who could help guide us. People like Tami Murphy, who has been such an invaluable ally. When you’re growing fast, you need experienced voices around you, and the trade shows finally put those people in front of us.

How do you see the role of trade shows for your company moving forward?

David: Essential. We’ll be back at Toy Fair New York next year—bigger and more ready than ever.

Julian: If you’re reading this: come see us. Meet us. Play some of our games. Let us show you what we’re building next. There’s nothing like being face-to-face with the people who understand the business from every angle.

Let’s talk about your TAGIE-nominated game Fish Fight. What does this game represent for McMiller?

David: It represents evolution. We took everything we’ve learned—visual impact, replayability, multigenerational appeal—and built a game that feels like a full experience, not just a gimmick.

Julian: It’s also the first game where we built a real internal universe—characters, team identities, challenges. Retailers have responded really strongly to that. It feels like a brand with legs.

And now… Shark Tank. How has that journey been?

Julian: Intense. Thrilling. Terrifying. Wonderful. All of it.

David: Preparing for the show forced us to look at our company in a new way—tightening our message, refining our numbers, getting laser-focused on what we’re building. No one prepares you for the emotional side of it, though. It’s huge exposure and a huge moment for us as a small, queer-owned company.

Julian: Whatever happens, it’s a milestone. And we’re proud of what we shared.

What’s next for McMiller?

David: We’re building a slate of new games. New mechanics. New directions. Think bigger, bolder, and hopefully, even weirder.

Julian: And more collaboration. More trade shows. More partnerships. We’re ready to grow from a breakout viral brand into a long-term industry player. The goal now is not just to create hits—it’s to build a line.

📣

Catch McMiller on Shark Tank December 10, then come see them at Toy Fair New York in 2026.

Follow along at @mcmiller.fun on TikTok & Instagram

Shop the line at www.mcmiller.fun

McMiller Games — Seriously fun. Seriously going places.