Shakira Barrera Signs with Innovative Artists for Representation

Posted on March 28, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Shakira Barrera is ready to innovate…

The 34-year-old Nicaraguan American actress has signed with Innovative Artists for representation.

The actress, dancer, producer and humanitarian is best known for her breakout role in Netflix’s G.L.O.W. as Yolanda Rivas, a lady wrestler.

Most recently, she starred as First Officer Jensen Corbyt in Star Wars: Ahsoka opposite Rosario Dawson and in the series regular role of Gloria, a college-educated scam artist who discovered her love for conning people at a young age, in Greg Garcia’s Sprung from Prime Video alongside Garret Dillahunt and Martha Plimpton.

Her upcoming projects include a guest-starring role on HBO’s Hacks and a series regular role on Marvel’s Ironheart starring Dominique Thorne and Anthony Ramos.

Her additional TV credits include Showtime’s Shameless, TNT’s Animal Kingdom, Netflix’s It’s Bruno! and OWN’s All Rise for Season 3.

Most recently, Barrera has been producing and creating projects of her own.

In addition to acting and producing, she is a global ambassador for the Nicaraguan Human Rights Alliance, helping immigrants coming from Central America and is also an ambassador for the non-profit, “Project SchoolHouse,” building permanent water structures in Nicaragua.

Rigo Sanchez to Appear on Season 4 of Netflix’s “Outer Banks”

Posted on February 29, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Rigo Sanchez is headed to the Outer Banks…

The Latino actor has joined the cast for the fourth season of Netflix’s Outer Banks, which has been a breakout show for the streamer over its past three seasons.

Sanchez is among a roster of new cast additions that includes Pollyanna McIntosh, J. Anthony Crane, Brianna Brown and Mia Challis.

Created by Jonas Pate, Josh Pate and Shannon Burke, Outer Banks is a coming-of-age story that follows a tight-knit group of local teens — the “Pogues” — in the beach vacation destination of the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

Sanchez will portray an imposing stranger with a piratical nerve.

The young adult action-adventure drama stars Chase Stokes, Madelyn Cline, Madison Bailey, Jonathan Daviss and Rudy Pankow and follows a group called The Pogues in a coastal town in North Carolina where the wealth divide is stark.

Sanchez’s previous credits include appearances on Animal Kingdom, Station 19, Goliath, McFarland, USA and Queen of the South.

Christina Ochoa Developing Sci-Fi Series “Empty Earth” with Freeform Studios

Posted on September 11, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Christina Ochoa is running on empty…

The 37-year-old Spanish actress, science communicator and producer is developing the sci-fi series Empty Earth, based on the Rick McManus book series of the same name, with Freedom Studios.

In Empty Earth, climate change has forced humanity to a dystopian bargain: seek safety, or risk everything to find the answers. The book trilogy is post-apocalyptic adventure series, with an empowered female protagonist, wrapped in an epic of love, family, and survival with science at the forefront.

“Freedom is constantly searching for great stories, great people, and content that matters. We knew this book needed to be brought to life. We are thrilled to be in partnership with QE Productions; we believe this will become one of the most impactful shows on TV,” said Salazar.

“I would partner with Freedom on pretty much anything… but the fact that they brought us such an epic, sci-fi, adventure show made it a project we not only want as filmmakers – but one we need as audiences,” added Ochoa.

Executive producers include Julia Carias-Linares, Meiling Macias-Toro, and Johanna Salazar from Freedom Studios and Ochoa, Jessica Heath, and Karen Goro from QE Productions. Freedom Studios is leading the project.

Ochoa is notably recognized for her role as Renn Randall in John Well’s Animal Kingdom, which recently concluded its six-season run on TNT. Additionally, she starred in ABC’s Promised Land from Matt Lopez and Adam Kolbrenner.

Her additional credits include CW’s Valor, ABC’s A Million Little Things, and NBC’s Blood Drive. Her company QE Productions focuses on STEM-infused content.

Freedom Studios is an award-winning, Latina-owned media company focusing on thought-provoking projects with strong female leads, and social awareness.

Shakira Barrera to Star in Marvel Studios’ “Ironheart

Posted on September 7, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Shakira Barrera has ironed out her latest plans…

The Nicaraguan-American actress/dancer has joined the cast of Marvel Studios’ Ironheart as a series regular, according to Deadline.com.

The six-episode series created by Chinaka Hodge will star Dominique Thorne as Marvel character Riri Williams, a genius inventor and creator of the most advanced suit of armor since Iron Man.

The previously announced members of the cast include Anthony Ramos, Manny Montana, Alden Ehrenreich, Regan Aliyah, Shea Couleé and Zoe Terakes.

Sam Bailey and Angela Barnes are directing, with Ryan Coogler’s Proximity among the production entities.

Coogler, Ironheart head writer Chinaka Hodge, Zinzi Coogler, and Sev Ohanian serve as executive producers alongside Marvel Studios’ Kevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Brad Winderbaum and Zoie Nagelhout.

Barrera can currently be seen as a series regular in the Freevee series Sprung opposite Garrett Dillahunt and Martha Plimpton. She also recently wrapped a recurring arc in OWN’s legal drama All Rise as part of the show’s third season.

She’s notably known for her portrayal of lady wrestler Yolanda in GLOW and Lulu in It’s Bruno, both for Netflix.

Her other TV credits include TNT’s Animal Kingdom, Showtime’s Shameless, and USA Network’s Queen of the South.

On the film side, she appeared in Daniela Garcia’s short film Huella, The Collection opposite Alex Pettyfer, and The Knocking opposite Shiloh Fernandez.

Outside of acting, Barrera serves as a goodwill ambassador for organizations that specialize in humanitarian aid in Nicaragua.

Tracy Perez to Appear on Season Two of Starz’s “Power Book III: Raising Kanan”

Posted on November 3, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Tracy Perez is powering up…

The Latina actress has joined the cast of Starz’ Power Book III: Raising Kanan for Season 2 in a recurring role.

Perez will portray Detective Adina Foyle, Detective Burke’s (Shanley Caswell) ex-girlfriend who is making a comeback as her new girlfriend.

From creator and showrunner Sascha Penn, Power Book III: Raising Kanan takes viewers back to the ’90s and the early years of the now-deceased Kanan Stark, portrayed in Courtney Kemp’s original series by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson.

Power Book III: Raising Kanan is executive produced by Kemp through her company End of Episode and Jackson through his G-Unit Film and Television. Penn is the creator/showrunner of Raising Kanan.

Lionsgate Television produces the series for Starz.

Perez most notably starred in Hulu’s East Los High in the role of Vanessa De La Cruz across the show’s four seasons from 2013 to 2017. Her television credits also include roles in Animal Kingdom, Deadwax, and The Strain.

She will next appear in the Christian Sesma-directed film, Section Eight.

David DeSantos to Appear on Fifth Season of CBS’ “S.W.A.T.”

Posted on August 19, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

David DeSantos is joining the team…

The 46-year-old Latino actor has landed a recurring role on the upcoming fifth season of CBS’ S.W.A.T.

DeSantos will play Rodrigo Sanchez, a 20-year LAPD veteran and former SWAT member.

Sanchez is a gregarious, confident, and savvy political climber who left SWAT in pursuit of loftier jobs within the LAPD.

S.W.A.T. stars Shemar Moore as a former Marine and locally born-and-raised SWAT sergeant who is tasked with running a specialized tactical unit that is the last stop in law enforcement in Los Angeles.

DeSantos can be seen recurring on Season 3 of the CW’s Roswell, New Mexico, as well as on TNT’s Animal Kingdom.

On the film side, he recently appeared opposite Edward James Olmos and Richard Cabral in Windows on the World.

Christina Ochoa Teaming Up with Inner Child Production Banner for “Around The World In 80 Dates”

Posted on July 14, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a world of excitement for Christina Ochoa.

The 36-year-old Spanish actress and Animal Kingdom star is partnering with Emmy-winning production designer David Korins and his Inner Child production banner for Around The World In 80 Dates.

Inner Child has acquired the romance experiment show to co-develop and executive produce alongside Ochoa. Around The World in 80 Dates is a cross-cultural exploration of international romance, courtship rituals and love.

Ochoa appears in TNT’s Animal Kingdom as Renn Randall. She has landed a spot in ABC’s Matt Lopez drama Promised Land. Her additional credits include ABC’s A Million Little Things, CW’s Valor and NBC’s Blood Drive.

Korins is both an Emmy winner and Tony Award nominee. He earned his Emmy for Outstanding Production Design for a Variety Special in 2019 for that year’s Oscars ceremony. In 2016 he nabbed his first scenic design Tony nom for Hamilton. On year later he received a nomination for his work on War Paint and in 2019 earned a Best Scenic Design of a Musical nomination for Beetlejuice.

Jaume Collet-Serra to Direct TNT’s Drama “Unknown,” Based on the Liam Neeson Film He Previously Helmed

Posted on July 1, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Jaume Collet-Serra is heading into the unknown…

The 47-year-old Spanish filmmaker is set to direct TNT’s one-hour drama Unknown, which is being developed based on the 2011 Liam Neeson action-thriller box office hit.

Directed by Collet-Serra and produced by Dark Castle Entertainment, the film told the story of Martin Harris (Neeson), a doctor who lost his memory after a car accident and woke up to find his identity taken and the target of mysterious assassins.

In addition to directing, Collet-Serra is also attached to executive produce the series, which would pick up after the events of the film and follow a new lead character that is thrust into a mind-bending adventure full of twists and turns.

Sean Finegan will write the pilot and will executive produce.

TNT has had recent success with series based on filns. Out of its three current drama series, two, veteran Animal Kingdom and sophomore Snowpiercer, both were offshoots from features. TNT’s third series, Claws, is headed to its final season this summer.

The Unknown movie was written by Oliver Butcher and Stephen Cornwell. It was adapted from the 2003 French novel by Didier Van Cauwelaert, published in English as Out of My Head. Released in February 2011, the film grossed $136 million on a $30 million budget.

Collet-Serra’s other credits include House of Wax, The Commuter, Run All Night and Orphan.

Christina Ochoa to Star in Matt Lopez’s Latinx Family Drama Pilot “Promised Land”

Posted on March 29, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

There’s plenty of promise in Christina Ochoa’s future…

The 36-year-old Spanish actress and Animal Kingdom star is set as a lead in ABC’s Promised Land, Matt Lopez’s Latinx family drama pilot.

Formerly titled American Heritage, the project is an epic, generation-spanning drama about two Latinx families vying for wealth and power in California’s Sonoma Valley.

Ochoa will play Veronica Sandoval, the eldest daughter of the Sandovals, a wealthy vineyard-owning family in the Sonoma Valley. Veronica is the highly capable heir to the Heritage Wines empire and her father Joe’s trusted Number Two. But her drive and ambition have left her with some glaring personal blindspots, and Veronica’s seemingly perfect life soon starts to unravel.

Lopez writes and executive produces. Adam Kolbrenner of Lit Entertainment Group also exec produces. ABC Signature is the studio.

Up next for Ochoa is Boon, the western sequel film from Yellowstone’s Neal McDonough. She stars as Renn Randall in TNT’s Animal Kingdom, which was recently renewed for a sixth and final season, and as Ashley Morales in ABC’s A Million Little Things. She has also appeared in Valor, Blood Drive, Matador and I Hate My Teenage Daughter.

Christina Ochoa to Star in the Western “Boon”

Posted on February 16, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Boon goes the dynamite for Christina Ochoa…

The 36-year-old Spanish actress will star in Boon, the upcoming western sequel film from Yellowstone’s Neal McDonough.

Boon is a spiritual sequel to the movie Red Stone that takes place in the distant future and picks up with henchman Nick Boon (McDonough) trying to get on with his life. At the same time we learn, our Preacher, the widowed Catherine, played by Christiane Seidel, is busy trying to protect herself and her son from a local criminal organization that is using her land for some unusual activities. When Boon and Catherine’s lives cross paths they find themselves leaning on each other to protect everything they stand for.

Derek Presley, who directed the first installment returns to helm Boon and is co-writing.

In addition to Ochoa, the film features Jake Melrose, James Madio, and John Patrick Jordan. Stephen Endelman is lending his musical talents for the film’s score.

Ochoa recently starred as Renn Randall in TNT’s Animal Kingdom and as Ashely Morales in ABC’s A Million Little Things.

She has also appeared in Valor, Blood Drive, Matador and I Hate My Teenage Daughter.

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