Al Madrigal to Star in Disney’s “Stargirl” Sequel

Al Madrigal has a new Star-ring role…

The 49-year-old half-Mexican American actor will star in the Julia Hart-directed Disney feature sequel to Stargirl.

Al Madrigal 

Madrigal, best known for his work as a correspondent on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, joins a roster of cast newcomers that includes Sarayu Blue, Chris Williams and Nija Okoro.

Stargirl 2 follows Grace VanderWaal’s title protagonist as she journeys out of Mica into a bigger world of music, dreams and possibility.

The script is based on the original character from Jerry Spinelli’s bestselling book. VanderWaal will write and perform new original music for the sequel.

Hart co-wrote with her husband Jordan Horowitz.

The four new actors join a cast that includes Uma Thurman (Roxanne Martell, a musician who Stargirl idolizes), Judy Greer (Stargirl’s mom), Judd Hirsch (Stargirl’s neighbor Mr. Mitchell), Elijah Richardson (Stargirl’s beau Evan) and Tyrel Jackson Williams (Terrell, Evan’s older brother).

Madrigal will play Iggy, the MC at a local music club. Blue will play Alex, an up-and-coming film producer.

Madrigal feature credits include The Way Back, Night Schoolthe upcoming Marvel/Sony movie Morbius and the television series I’m Dying Up HereAbout a Boy, Free Agents and Gary Unmarried.

Baccarin to Star in Lifetime’s Bible-Themed Miniseries “The Red Tent”

Morena Baccarin is joining the four wives club

The 34-year-old Brazilian actress and Homeland star, who recently signed on to star in Melissa McCarthy’s Spy, has joined the cast of Lifetime’s Bible-themed miniseries The Red Tent.

Morena Baccarin

The four-hour miniseries, which will be broadcast over the course of two nights, is an adaptation of Anita Diamant’s best-selling novel, published in 1997.

The White Queen star Rebecca Ferguson, About a Boy’s Minnie Driver will star opposite Baccarin in the TV miniseries.

Co-starring in the project, which begins production this month in Morocco, are Game of ThronesIain Glen and Will Tudor, as well as Debra Winger.

The Red Tent tells the story of Dinah (portrayed by Ferguson), the daughter of Leah and Jacob, who is only briefly referenced in the Old Testament. The miniseries begins with Dinah’s happy childhood spent inside the red tent where only the women of her tribe are allowed to gather and share the traditions and turmoil of ancient womanhood.

Told through Dinah’s eyes, the mini recounts the story of her mothers Leah (Driver), Rachel (Baccarin), Zilpah and Bilhah, the four wives of Jacob (Glen), and his courtship of them. Dinah goes on to marry a prince and fall out with her murderous brother Joseph (Tudor). Winger portrays Rebecca, Jacob’s mother.

The Red Tent brings premium and popular elements to a unique and timeless story,” said Lifetime EVP Rob Sharenow. “It perfectly articulates our vision for Lifetime as the destination for epic movie events.”

Amazon Picks Up Garcia Bernal’s Comedy Series “Mozart in the Jungle”

Gael Garcia Bernal will be making music on television in the near future…

Amazon Studios has picked up to series the 35-year-old Mexican actor’s half-hour comedy series Mozart in the Jungle.

Gael García Bernal

The dramatic comedy was written by Oscar-nominated writer and director Roman Coppola (Moonrise Kingdom, The Darjeeling Limited), actor and musician Jason Schwartzman (Saving Mr. Banks, Moonrise Kingdom, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World), and Tony-nominated writer and director Alex Timbers (Peter and the Starcatcher).

The project is based on the memoir Mozart in the Jungle by Blair Tindall.

It’s all about sex, drugs—and classical music—and shows that what happens behind the curtains at the symphony can be just as captivating as what happens on stage.

Paul Weitz (About a Boy, Admission) directed the pilot and executive produced.

In addition to Garcia Bernal, the series stars Saffron Burrows, Lola Kirke, Malcom McDowell, Bernadette Peters and Peter Vack.

Madrigal to Star in NBC’s “About a Boy” Pilot

The Daily Show’s Al Madrigal will star in the television adaptation of a popular Hugh Grant film.

The 41-year-old Latino actor/comedian has landed a role in About a Boy, the NBC television pilot based on the Nick Hornby’s novel of the same name.

Al Madrigal

Directed by Jon Favreau and written by  Jason Katims, the project follows the relationship between Will (portrayed by David Walton), a bachelor man-child, and the young boy who moves in next door with his kooky single mother Fiona (Minnie Driver).

Madrigal will play Andy, Will’s best friend and the husband of Laurie (portrayed by Anjelah Johnson).

He’s currently a correspondent on the Daily Show with Jon Stewart and has standup special Why is the Rabbit Crying premiering on Comedy Central in April.

His acting credits include Free Agents, Gary Unmarried, Welcome to the Captain and Wizards of Waverly Place.

Johnson Lands Role in NBC’s “About a Boy” Pilot

Anjelah N. Johnson is about (a boy) to start work on her next project…

The 30-year-old half-Mexican American actress and stand-up comedian has landed a role in NBC’s pilot About a Boy, which is based on Nick Hornby’s novel of the same name, as well as the 2002 Hugh Grant film it inspired.

Anjelah Johnson

The pilot – written by Jason Katims and directed by Revolution’s Jon Favreau – centers on  Will (portrayed by David Walton), a bachelor man-child going through a revolving door of women, and the young boy who moves in next door with his quirky single mom, Fiona (portrayed by Minnie Driver).

Johnson has been cast as Laurie, the well-meaning but often overbearing wife of Will’s best friend and a mother of three frustrated by Will’s childishness.

She, who previously co-starred in the 2011 NBC comedy pilot My Life is an Experiment, gained acclaim for portraying one of the most notable characters from Fox’s sketch comedy series MADtv, rude fast food employee Bon Qui Qui. Johnson’s other credits include a guest-starring role on Ugly Betty and appearances in the films Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel and Our Family Wedding.