JD Pardo is ridin’ high…

The 36-year-old Argentine-El Salvadoran American actor has been cast as the lead in Kurt Sutter’s Sons of Anarchy spinoff pilot for FX, Mayans MC.

Pardo, a Daytime Emmy Award nominee for his appearance on East Los High, is taking the baton from Charlie Hunnam, whose Jax Teller led the mothership series.

Set in the aftermath of Jax Teller’s death at the end of SOA’s seven-season run in 2014, Mayans MC will focus on the struggles of Ezekiel “EZ” Reyes (Pardo), a prospect in the Mayan MC charter on the California/Mexico border. EZ is the gifted son of a proud Latino family, whose American dream was snuffed out by cartel violence. Now, his need for vengeance drives him toward a life he never intended and can never escape.

Pardo joins previously cast Edward James Olmos, who plays EZ’s father, John Ortiz and Clayton Cardenas.

Mayans MC was co-created by Sutter and Elgin James.

Pardo, known for his role as Jesus on Hulu’s Emmy-nominated original series East Los High, as well as the role of Jason Neville in Revolution, fielded interest from multiple pilots.

His feature credits include The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2 and Snitch.