HBO’s Luck may have run out of suerte… But that doesn’t mean Mercedes Ruehl’s luck has.

The 63-year part-Cuban actress, who was promoted from guest star to series regular or the second season of HBO’s recently cancelled drama series, will star opposite Ryan Hansen in Fox’s comedy pilot El Jefe.

From writers David Guarascio and Moses Port, the project centers on the affable but lost upper-class 30-year-old Josh (Hansen) who, tossed out of his Brentwood home, moves in with his adoring longtime Latina nanny Delmi (Ruehl), a vibrant woman and a real life force “of sturdy peasant stock.”

Ruehl has experienced a rollercoaster week… After spending several years looking after her family, the Oscar and Tony winning actress was prepared to return to acting when she signed on as a series regular on Luck. But HBO suddenly ended the series on Wednesday following the death of a third horse on the set.

Ruehl wasn’t down and out though. After reading the script for El Jefe and meeting with the writers, Ruehl decided to sign on for the project. She’s expected to start production on the pilot on Monday, less than a week after Luck was cancelled.

In addition to Ruehl, Jessica Camacho has been cast in the pilot. She’ll play Lucia, the girlfriend of Delmi’s son (Victor Rasuk).