Cabral to Star in FX’s “Sons of Anarchy” Spinoff Pilot “Mayans MC”

Posted on March 2, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

It’s ride or die for Richard Cabral…

The Mexican-American actor, who earned an Emmy nomination for his standout performance in American Crime, will co-star opposite JD Pardo in FX’s Mayans MC, Kurt Sutter’s Sons of Anarchy spinoff pilot.

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.

Cabral will play Johnny “El Coco” Cruz, a full patch member of Mayans MC, Santo Padre. Former Army sharpshooter and weapons specialist, Johnny earned a section 8 for shooting a cigar out of his CO’s mouth from a half-mile away… while he was stoned.

In addition to Pardo, Cabral joins previously cast Edward James Olmos, John Ortiz, Antonio Jaramillo and Clayton Cardenas.

Mayans MC was co-created by Sutter and Elgin James. Sutter is set to executive produce and direct the pilot; James is co-executive producer for Fox 21 Television Studios and FX Productions.

Cabral has recurred on all three seasons to date of ABC’s anthology drama American Crime, earning an Emmy nomination for his work in Season 1. Season 3 premieres March 12. Set in rural North Carolina, it centers around immigration and American labor issues.

Cabral also has a recurring role on Fox’s Lethal Weapon.

Sigman to Star in CBS’ “S.W.A.T.” Pilot, Based on the 2011 Crime Drama

Posted on February 14, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Stephanie Sigman is about to get tactical…

The Mexican-American actress, who rose to acclaim in the 2011 crime drama film Miss Bala, will star in CBS’ S.W.A.T. reboot.

Sigman is the first cast member to sign onto the reboot, which is based on the movie of the same name.

The pilot follows a locally born and bred S.W.A.T. lieutenant who is torn between loyalty to the streets and duty to his fellow officers when he’s tasked to run a highly-trained unit that’s the last stop for solving crimes in Los Angeles. Sources say CBS is nearing a deal with an actor for the lead lieutenant role.

Sigman will play Jessica, who’s described as ambitious and fastidious, and has earned her high rank at S.W.A.T. headquarters.

The “S.W.A.T.” pilot was written by Aaron Thomas and will be directed by Justin Lin.

Sony Pictures Television and CBS Television Studios are behind the hourlong drama.

The series is based on the 2003 film, which starred Samuel L. Jackson, Colin Farrell, LL Cool J, Michelle Rodriguez, and Jeremy Renner. That movie was based on the 1970s series, produced by Aaron Spelling, which ran for two seasons on ABC.

“S.W.A.T.” is the latest project for Sigman, who’s been in high demand ever since her scene-stealing role in the 2015 Daniel Craig movie Spectre. She also starred in the first season of Netflix’s Narcos, and appeared in a few episodes of ABC’s anthology series American Crime from John Ridley. This is the second consecutive pilot season that Sigman has been cast in a lead role, following Ridley’s ABC detective drama, Presence, which ultimately was not greenlit to series.

Up next for the actress is the sequel to the hit horror movie Annabelle 2.

Martinez to Star in Lifetime’s Original Movie About the Menendez Brothers

Posted on February 10, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Benito Martinez has landed a father of a role…

The 45-year-old Mexican American actor is set to star in Lifetime’s original movie about Lyle and Erik Menendez’s infamous double-murder case.

Based on the true story, the movie explores the inner lives and motivation behind the murders of entertainment executive Jose Menendez and his wife Kitty at the hands of their sons Lyle and Erik in 1989. In the months that followed the killings, Lyle and Erik spent their inheritance lavishly, adding to investigators’ suspicions that they were involved in the parents’ deaths. After months of guilt consumed Erik, he confessed to the murders to his psychologist, leading to the eventual arrests of him and older brother Lyle.

Their Los Angeles trial became a national sensation as the public devoured court testimony and the brothers testified that the murders were driven by a lifetime of sexual abuse by their father. After a mistrial and deadlocked jury, the brothers were later re-tried and convicted of two counts of first-degree murder and sentenced to life without parole. Erik and Lyle remain incarcerated today, serving their time in separate prisons nearly 30 years since murdering their parents.

Martinez will portray Jose Menendez, while Nico Tortorella (Younger) and Myko Olivier will play brothers Lyle and Erik Menendez, respectively. They join previously announced Courtney Love, who plays mother Kitty Menendez.

Martinez’s credits include American Crime, Sons of Anarchy, Supernatural and Saving Grace.

Nolasco Starring in HBO’s Family Drama “Mogadishu, Minnesota”

Posted on September 30, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Elvis Nolasco is heading to Minnesota…

The Dominican actor has been cast in HBO’s drama pilot Mogadishu, Minnesota, written, directed and executive produced by rapper K’naan Warsame.

Executive produced by Zero Dark Thirty and The Hurt Locker‘s Kathryn Bigelow, the family drama grapples with what it means to be American – among the Somalis of Minneapolis.

Along with Nolasco, who starred on two seasons of ABC’s American Crime, the pilot will also star K.C. Collins, Rif Hutton, Ezana Alem, Hanad Abdirahman Abdi, Selam Tadese, Prince Abdi, Yusra Warsama and Liya Kebede. All will be regulars if the pilot is picked up to series.

Nolasco will portray Liban, the uncle of one of the characters and the proud owner of Liban’s Classy Hookah. He’s an upright citizen who prizes the family’s reputation above all else. He is not pleased when his brother, Bisbaas, returns to town.

Shooting begins this October in Minneapolis.

Martinez to Return for Season 3 of ABC’s Anthology Series “American Crime”

Posted on August 23, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Benito Martinez is back to a life of Crime…

The 45-year-old Latino actor is set to return for another installment of ABC’s anthology series American Crime.

Martinez, who co-starred in the first season of the series from John Ridley and guest starred in Season 2, will return for season 3.

He joins fellow retuning players Timothy Hutton, Felicity Huffman, Regina King, Lili Taylor, Richard Cabral and Connor Jessup in the acclaimed series, executive produced by Ridley and Michael McDonald.

His character provides a further glimpse into Season 3, which explores labor issues, economic divides and individual rights in North Carolina.

“Ever since Benito brought the role of Alonzo Gutierrez to life in season one, John and I have been looking for a character that would be as memorable and worthy of Benito’s talent. He will be tackling the role of a man searching for his missing son,” said McDonald.

Martinez, an alum of The Shield, recently worked opposite Tom Cruise on the crime thriller American Made. He had recurring roles on How To Get Away with Murder and The Blacklist.

Cabral Returning for Season 3 of ABC’s “American Crime”

Posted on July 9, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Richard Cabral isn’t leaving his Crime family…

The Mexican American actor has joined Felicity Huffman and Regina King as the third cast member to sign on for the upcoming third installment of John Ridley’s acclaimed ABC anthology series American Crime.

In Season 3, the series will be set in North Carolina and will deal with labor issues, economic divides and individual rights.

American Crime earned 10 Emmy nominations for its first season, winning for King. Cabral received a supporting actor Emmy nomination for his portrayal of Hector Tontz. The series, executive produced by Ridley and Michael McDonald, is coming off a well-received second season.

Cabral’s feature work includes Ridley Scott’s The Counselor, Chris Weitz’s A Better Life and End of Watch opposite Jake Gyllenhaal, and he also had guest-starring turns on ABC’s Body of Proof and HBO’s Luck.

He’ll next be seen in Blood Father, a Taken-style action thriller directed by Jean-Francois Richet (Mesrine) and starring Mel Gibson.

Cannavale to Appear in “Variety Studio: Actors on Actors” Series

Posted on April 2, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Bobby Cannavale is ready to talk shop…

Variety and PBS SoCal have announced the line-up for the fourth installment of their awards season series “Variety Studio: Actors on Actors,” with the 45-year-old half-Cuban American actor making the final cut.

Available to stream on Variety.com, the new “Actors on Actors” season will feature one-on-one discussions between this year’s Emmy contenders.

Along with Cannavale, who stars in HBO’s Vinyl, this year’s conversations, which will be printed in the June 7 issue of Variety, will also include Aziz Ansari (“Master of None”), Rachel Bloom (“Crazy Ex-Girlfriend”), Emilia Clarke (“Game of Thrones”), Jamie Lee Curtis (“Scream Queens”), Kirsten Dunst (“Fargo”), Jay Duplass (“Transparent”), Billy Eichner (“Difficult People”), Sam Heughan (“Outlander”), Tom Hiddleston (“The Night Manager”), Felicity Huffman (“American Crime”), Lady Gaga (“American Horror Story”), Jennifer Lopez (“Shades of Blue”), Rob Lowe (“Grinder”), Rami Malek (“Mr. Robot”), Thomas Middleditch (“Silicon Valley”), Aaron Paul (“The Path”), Sarah Paulson (“American Crime Story”), Krysten Ritter (“Jessica Jones”), Tracee Ellis Ross (“Black-ish”), Patrick Stewart (“Blunt Talk”), John Travolta (“American Crime Story”), Courtney B. Vance (“American Crime Story”) and Kerry Washington (“Confirmation”).

“Variety is thrilled to cover the best actors on television in this season’s ‘Actors on Actors’ for PBS stations,” said Variety‘s executive TV editor Debra Birnbaum in a statement. “This season’s lineup includes actors from some of the top new television programs and showcases the wide diversity of roles for actors on broadcast, cable and streaming platforms.”

PBS SoCal will premiere the segment in two episodes, one on June 12 and the other on June 19.

“Through their craft, the actors interviewed on ‘Actors on Actors’ effortlessly spark our imaginations and take us to new places,” said PBS SoCal president and CEO Andy Russell in a statement. “Through this partnership with Variety we are pleased to enhance the experience of fans of great television – providing them greater insight into the people who bring them their favorite dramas, comedies and more.”

Nolasco’s “American Crime” to Premiere on January 6 on ABC

Posted on November 7, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Elvis Nolasco is ringing in the New Year with a little Crime…

ABC has slated John Ridley’s American Crime, starring the Dominican actor, to premiere on January 6.

The second season of the critically acclaimed series will return for a second season on a new night, Wednesday, where it will air in Nashville’s 10:00 pm time slot while the country music drama is on winter hiatus.

American Crime‘s second season is set in the U.S. Midwest at two high schools, one public and one private.

The first season of the show, which followed a racially charged murder and the subsequent trial, aired in the Thursday 10 PM slot, succeeding How To Get Away With Murder, which has shorter (18-episode) seasons per star Viola Davis’ contract.

This season, the plan is to keep the Shondaland branding on the night intact with the latest Shonda Rhimes-produced drama, The Catch, following HTGAWM in the 10:00 pm hour.

In Season 2, issues of sexual orientation and socioeconomic disparity come to a boil when lurid photos of a high school boy are posted on social media following a school party. Circumstances become more complicated when the boy accuses two players on an elite private high school’s championship basketball team of drugging, assaulting and then posting the pictures of him online.

Many of the Season 1 cast members are back, including stars Felicity Huffman and Timothy Hutton, as well as co-stars Regina King — who won an Emmy for her role — Lili Taylor and Nolasco, who are joined by Trevor Jackson, Connor Jessup, Joey Pollari and Angelique Rivera.

Rivera to Star in ABC’s Drama Anthology “American Crime”

Posted on July 26, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

It’s about to get downright criminal for Angelique Rivera…

The Latina actress has been cast in the second season of ABC’s drama anthology American Crime.

Rivera, a Hollywood newcomer, has been cast in the role of “Evy”. The only witness to a crime, her testimony could alter the lives of the young men who stand accused.

Rivera joins returning stars Lili Taylor, Felicity Huffman, Timothy Hutton, Elvis Nolasco and Richard Cabral, all of whom are playing new characters in a new setting.

Executive producer John Ridley has stated that the new season will deal with “physicality, sexuality and societal boundaries with the same urgency as our first season dealt with race and faith.”

Louis C.K. Earns Six Primetime Emmy Award Nominations

Posted on July 16, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Louis C.K. continues to be an Emmy darling…

The nominations for the 2015 Primetime Emmy Awards have been announced, with the 47-year-old Mexican American stand up comedian, actor, writer, producer, director and editor earning six nominations.

Louis C.K., who holds the record for most Emmy nominations in a single year (9), is nominated in the Lead Actor, Comedy category for the fifth straight year for his starring role on FX’s Louie. He’ll face off against Black-ish’s Anthony Anderson, Episodes’ Matt LeBlanc, House of Lies’ Don Cheadle, The Last Man On Earth’s Will Forte, Shameless’ William H. Macy and Transparent’s Jeffrey Tambor.

Louis C.K., the creator, star, writer, director and executive producer of Louie, is also nominated in the Writing for a Comedy Series and Directing for a Comedy Series, and Outstanding Comedy Series categories for his behind-the-scenes work on the series.

Additionally, Louis C.K. earned his third consecutive nomination in the Guest Actor, Comedy series for his guest hosting work on Saturday Night Live.

His final nomination comes in the Writing for a Variety Special for his comedy special Louis C.K.: Live At The Comedy Store.

But Louis C.K. isn’t the only Latino nominee this year…

Former gang member turned rising actor Richard Cabral earned his first-ever Emmy nomination.

The Latino actor earned his nod in the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie category for his work on work on American Crime.

Jane the Virgin’s velvety-voiced narrator Anthony Mendez also earned his first nomination.

The bilingual actor, who studied cemetery architecture in college and worked in radio production before pursuing a voice-over acting career, earned his nom in the Outstanding Narrator category. He’ll face off against Neil deGrasse Tyson, Miranda Richardson, Peter Coyote and Henry Strozier.

Andy Samberg is set to host the Primetime Emmy Awards telecast, which will air live Sept. 20 on Fox. The three-hour ceremony will originate from the Microsoft Theater in downtown Los Angeles.

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