Rigo Sanchez’s kingdom is getting one last hurrah…
TNT’s popular crime drama series Animal Kingdom, starring the Latino actor, has been renewed for a sixth and final season.
The news comes ahead of the show’s Season 5 premiere.
The cast and crew are eying a February production start.
Season five of the show, which stars Shawn Hatosy, Ben Robson, Jake Weary, Finn Cole, Leila George, Sanchez and Jon Beavers, will premiere this summer on TNT.
A consistent ratings performer and strong younger viewers draw, Animal Kingdom reached 27 million viewers in Season 4 across all platforms, with the premiere retaining its audience from the previous season’s average. The series also ranked among 2019’s top 10 cable dramas (P18-49, L+7, ad-supported cable).
In Animal Kingdom season five, Pope (Hatosy), Craig (Robson), Deran (Weary) and J (Cole) are still dealing with the fallout from the events surrounding Smurf’s death, including family members out for revenge. With their kingdom without a leader, the Codys struggle to maintain their fragile alliance, and to see which of them will come out on top. Meanwhile, they search for more information on Pamela Johnson whom Smurf made the beneficiary of her estate. And back in 1984, an increasingly volatile 29-year-old Smurf is forging her own path raising Pope and Julia and leading the charge on dangerous jobs with new and old friends.
The drama, which was developed for television by Jonathan Lisco based on David Michod’s 2010 Australian feature film, is produced by John Wells Productions in association with Warner Horizon Scripted Television.
Sanchez’s previous credits include Station 19, McFarland, USA, Queen of the South and The Last Ship.
The 45-year-old Mexican American actor has landed a recurring role on Roswell, New Mexico.
DeSantos will portray Edgar, a character described as “an enigmatic leader who intersects with Roswell’s heroes on a clandestine mission to better understand the unknown. Though he comes from an army background, Edgar has a wistful outlook on the universe. He believes that sometimes the best approach to an established problem is a fresh and creative perspective. Edgar will seek out those who align with his cause — but as a keeper of secrets he’ll expect loyalty and discretion, no matter the cost.”
DeSantos currently recurs on the CBS drama All Rise and TNT’s Animal Kingdom.
His other credits include The Rookie,NCIS: New Orleans, The Good Doctor and SEAL Team.
On the feature side, he can be seen in the indie Windows on the World alongside Luna Lauren Velez, Edwards James Olmos and Ryan Guzman.
The Peruvian-American actor/writer has been cast in An Intrusion, the home invasion thriller that’s currently shooting in Michigan.
Billy Boyd, Sam Logan Khaleghi, Keir Gilchrist and Scout Taylor-Compton are also cast in the film, which follows an upper class suburban family who find themselves the victims of repeated cases of vandalism and stalkings.
Nicholas David Holland is directing and producing through Michigan-based Diamond Dead Media alongside Logan Khaleghi under his SLK Media Group banner. The team have COVID-19 safety protocols in place, including medical staff available on set.
“I’m excited and elated to work alongside such a powerful team of actors,” said Logan Khaleghi. “Nick has written an intriguing, thrilling script that will make for an amazing film with such a wonderful cast collaborating together.”
Zevallos’ previous credits include Cloak & Dagger, Animal Kingdom and The Bridge.
The Latino actor has been promoted to series regular for the fifth season of TNT’s Animal Kingdom.
In season 4, Sanchez’s Manny was the leader of a group of career criminals. He’s shrewd, ruthless, the brains of the operation and the “parent” of the crew. He appeared in 10 episodes.
In season 5, the dynamics between Janine (Ellen Barkin), Manny (Sanchez), and Jake (Jon Beavers) are shifting as the crew comes back together and Janine decides she wants to operate out of a little town called Oceanside.
Animal Kingdomalso stars Shawn Hatosy, Ben Robson, Jake Weary, and Finn Cole.
The drama, which is based on David Michod’s 2010 Australian feature film, is produced by John Wells Productionsin association with Warner Horizon Scripted Television. Wells serves as executive producer on the series, which was developed for television by Jonathan Lisco.
Sanchez has been recurring on Station 19/Grey’s Anatomy for ABC and Briarpatch on USA. On the film side, he is one of the leads in the feature Beneath Usopposite James Tupper, which is being released on March 6.
Season five of Animal Kingdom premieres later this year on TNT.
The 34-year-old Spanish actress and producer has signed with Buchwald.
Ochoa currently appears in the recurring role of Ren Randall on TNT’sAnimal Kingdom. She most recently starred in the ABCdrama seriesA Million Little Things and was previously the lead on The CW’s Valor.
She also has appeared onModern Family, I Hate My Teenage Daughterand The Neighbors.
Off screen, Ochoa runs her production company – QE Productions – which was behind the 2011 short film Stay withMe that garnered awards at film festivals in the U.S. and Europe.
Ochoa continues to be managed by Anonymous Content.
The CW’s has recast the role of Cristal Jennings in its Dynasty reboot with the 40-year-old half-Puerto Rican and part-Peruvian actress.
Ana Brenda Contreras — who played Cristal in Season 2 — is leaving, and Alonso is now poised to step into her stilettos.
“Unfortunately, Ana Brenda Contreras will not be returning for the third season of Dynasty due to personal reasons,” executive producer/showrunner Josh Reims said. “We’d like to thank her for her contributions to the show and wish her all the best. We’re excited to welcome Daniella Alonso who will step into the role of Cristal.”
Alonso’s previous credits include Revolution, The Night Shift, The Resident, Criminal Minds, Animal Kingdom, Being Mary Jane, and the film Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2.
Dynasty has gone through a series of casting changes over the past two seasons. One of the original leads, Nathalie Kelley, departed at the end of Season 1. In addition, Elizabeth Gilliestook over the role of Alexis from Nicollette Sheridan.
Season 3 of Dynasty is set to premiere on Friday, October 11 at 9:00 pm ET.
The 32-year-old Mexican-American actor has been cast in the 10-episode half-hour Latinx dramedy Gentefied.
Soria joins a main cast that includes Karrie Martin, Carlos Santos and Joaquín Cosio.
The project hails from Gente-fied: The Digital Series creators Marvin Lemusand Linda Yvette Chávez, showrunner Monica Macer, America Ferrera, Teri Weinbergand Macro.
Written by Lemus and Chávez, Gentefied is adapted from the web series which premiered at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival.
Described as a badass bilingual series about family, community, brown love, and the displacement that disrupts it all, Gentefiedis about three Mexican-American cousins (Martin, Soria, Santos) who struggle to chase the American Dream, even while that same dream threatens the things they hold most dear: their neighborhood, their immigrant grandfather (Cosio), and the family taco shop. Set in a rapidly changing Los Angeles, the Spanglish dramedy will navigate important themes like identity, class, and balancing insta-fame with translating memes for their parents. But most importantly,Gentefiedwill settle once and for all how to pronounce Latinx.
Martin will play Ana Morales, a sarcastic, woke, blunt, and endearing, queer artist. Ana is a Chicana who leads with her heart and fights for her art with untethered conviction. She loves her abuelo and her entire family almost to a fault.
Soria will portray Erik, a wisecracking, well-read, charismatic, but tough homie with a heart of gold. He’s a high school dropout, but there isn’t a book in the local library Erik hasn’t read. He’s a reluctant dreamer trying to find his way back to himself. But his loyalty to his grandfather who took him in keeps him from putting time into himself or Lidia, the love of his life.
Santos is Chris, the prodigal grandson, a fun-loving, know-it-all, chef-in-training. Chris is a homegrown Boyle Heights boy who moved to Idaho at a young age and was abruptly introduced to Weezer and cow-tipping. His cousins call him guero for acting and looking like a white boy, which always leaves him wondering if he’ll ever be Mexican enough for anyone.
Cosio is Pop, a hard-working, stoic, but warm, old-fashioned ranchero and the rock of the Morales family. Though gruff with his Tejanaand potty-mouth (“cabron” is his favorite word!), Pop has a huge heart, but that also means a lot of heartache trying to protect them.
“We are thrilled to have gathered a lead cast that captures the unique nuance of the chisme, chistes, and chingaderas that we grew up with in our multi-generational, bilingual, immigrant families,” said Lemus and Chavez. “Joaquin, JJ, Carlos, and Karrie are the abuelo, primos, y prima we shot the shit with as kids, the cousins we partied with, and the grandpa we cried with. They are the Morales family and we can’t wait for everyone to start sending them invites to the carne asada!”
Lemus directs the Netflix production.
A love letter to the Latinx and Boyle Heights communities, creators Lemus and Chavez hope Gentefiedwill let their little cousins rocking Adidas, hoops, and big dreams see themselves on the big screen in ways they only dreamed of growing up.
Martin has co-starred on shows like Pretty Little Liars, The Arrangement, The Purgeand will soon be appearing in David Ayer’s film The Tax Collector.
Soria most recently appeared in the series regular role of Pete Ramos on Crackle series The Oath, and has recurred on TNT’s Animal Kingdom and Freeform’s The Fosters. On the film side, Soria can next be seen in the indie John Henry alongside Terry Crews.
CBS Diversity Showcase alum Santos has appeared on CBS’ 2 Broke Girls, truTV’s Adam Ruins Everything and Seeso’s Bajillion Dollar Properties. He also was the lead in the 2013 Slamdance comedy horror feature Ghost Team One and guest-starred on Fox’s The Last Man on Earth.
Cosio’s credits include the role of Angel de Plata on FX’s The Strain and Don Neto in Narcos: Mexico.He’s returning for Season 2 of Narcos: Mexicoand will be seen in a starring role in Amazon’s new series CDMX.On the film side, he’ll next be seen in Emilio Portes’ horror thriller Beelzebuth,as well as the sequel to Matando Cabos, where he’ll return to portray the title character.
The Latina actress, who heavily recurred in the third season of TNT’s Animal Kingdom, has been promoted to series regular for the upcoming fourth season of the critically praised drama series.
Rodriguez plays Mia, a tough, unpredictable young woman raised in a gang, Mia forms an alliance with J (Finn Cole) as he questions her motives at every turn.
Animal Kingdomstars Ellen Barkinas the matriarch of the Cody crime family, along with Shawn Hatosy, Ben Robson, Jake Wearyand Cole.
Season 3 began with the death of Scott Speedman’s Baz, and the Cody men finding themselves increasingly divided as they fought for control and independence.
Animal Kingdomwas developed for television by Jonathan Lisco and inspired by the award-winning Australian feature film written & directed by David Michôdand produced by Liz Watts, who also serve as executive producers on the series.
The Latino actor has signed on for a recurring role on Fox’s hit musical family drama Empire.
Tovar will portray Carlito, a young rap star on the rise, who believes he’s the savior of hip-hop and acts as such.
Empire, created by Lee Daniels and Danny Strong and starring Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson, hails from Imagine Television and 20th Century Fox Television.
Tovar recently guest-starred on Amazon’s Too Old To Die Youngand Animal Kingdom and he recurred on Freeform’s The Fosters.
The 22-year-old half-Mexican American actress and singer will star in the musical drama Yellow Rose.
Noblezada, who received a Tony Award nomination for her lead role as Kim in the 2014 West End and 2017 Broadway revivals of Miss Saigon, will star opposite Tony Award winner Lea Salonga, who portrayed Kim in the original Broadway cast.
Directed by Diane Paragas, Yellow Rose tells the story of a 17-year old Filipino American girl from Texas who secretly dreams of becoming a country music star. When her mom is arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, she runs away and is forced to embark on a journey to forge her own path or face deportation with her mother back to the Philippines.
This will mark Noblezada feature film debut. In addition to Salonga, she’ll also star alongside country music artist Dale Watson, Liam Booth, Gustavo Gomez(Walking Dead, Animal Kingdom),Libby Villari (Boyhood) and Princess Punzalan.
The film will feature original music composed and performed by the cast and director.
