Syfy Releases Trailer for Ochoa’s Grindhouse Cinema-Inspired Series “Blood Drive”

Posted on April 26, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Christina Ochoa is blood thirsty…

Syfy has released the first trailer for its upcoming grindhouse cinema-inspired series Blood Drive starring the 32-year-old Spanish actress and Alan Ritchson.

After Los Angeles’ last good cop (Ritchson) is forced to join a twisted cross-country death race, his only hope of survival is a dangerous femme fatale who has the need for speed (Ochoa). Oh, and there’s no need for gasoline. “What the f*ck? These cars run on human blood?” asks Ritchson. “Have you seen gas prices lately?”, replies Grace.

The trailer promises each week of the series will feature a new grindhouse inspiration – cannibals, monsters, cults, lawmen, and nymphos and amazons.

The series hails from Universal Cable Productions. James Roland (Weeds) created the project and is a co-executive producer on the series.

Blood Drive premieres June 14 at 10 PM on Syfy.

Ochoa’s credits include a series regular roles on Matador and a recurring role on Animal Kingdom.

Ochoa to Star in the CW’s Military Drama/Conspiracy Thriller Pilot “Valor”

Posted on March 15, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a special show of Valor for Christina Ochoa.

The 32-year-old Spanish actress will star opposite Matt Barr in Valor, the CW’s serialized military drama/conspiracy thriller pilot written by writer-musician Kyle Jarrow and directed by Michael Robin.

In Valor, the boundaries between military discipline and human desire are tested on a U.S. Army base that houses an elite unit of helicopter pilots trained to perform clandestine international and domestic missions.

The project centers on chopper pilots Nora (Ochoa) and Gallo (Barr) who, after a botched mission in Somalia leaves a pair of American servicemen in enemy hands, train for a rescue operation and only they share a very large secret from the initial operation — a secret that must never come to the attention of the Army.

Ochoa’s Nora is an intense and driven junior Army pilot who is a member of the Night Raiders special ops unit. Partnered with the more experienced Gallo, together they fly choppers in and out of the hottest hot spots in the world.

Ochoa plays Renn Randall on TNT’s Animal Kingdom and also stars in Syfy’s new grindhouse cinema-inspired drama series Blood Drive, which premieres this summer.

Alonso to Star in ABC’s Drama Pilot “Las Reinas”

Posted on March 4, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Daniella Alonso is taking the throne…

The 38-year-old Puerto Rican and Peruvian American actress has landed the lead role in ABC’s drama pilot Las Reinas.

Daniella Alonso

(Animal Kingdom) has been cast as the lead in Las Reinas, ABC’s drama pilot from feature writer Dean Georgaris, ABC Studios and the Mark Gordon Co.

Las Reinas centers on Detective Sonya De La Reina (Alonso) who is forced to confront her past when a case compels her to reconnect with her estranged family – the most powerful criminal outfit in Miami. Thrust back into the world she thought she had left behind, Sonya must walk the murky line between the law and her family, and question her true destiny as a De La Reina. Sonia Braga co-stars.

From feature writer Dean Georgaris, who penned the script, the pilot will be directed by Liz Friedlander,

Alonso, who starred on the NBC drama series Revolution, is coming off a season-long stint as a series regular on TNT’s dramas Animal Kingdom. She also recently recurred on The Night Shift and Being Mary Jane.

Meraz to Star in WGN America’s Drama Pilot “Scalped”

Posted on February 18, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Alex Meraz has some reservations about his new role…

The 32-year-old Mexican actor, dancer and martial artist has been cast as one of the leads in WGN America’s drama pilot Scalped.

The project, featuring a predominantly Native American cast, was written by Doug Jung based on the DC graphic novel series written by Jason Aaron and illustrated by R.M. Guéra.

A modern-day crime story set in the world of a Native American reservation, Scalped explores power, loyalty and spirituality in a community led by the ambitious Chief Lincoln Red Crow as he reckons with Dashiell Bad Horse (Meraz), who has returned home after years away from the reservation. The Native American casting will be a first for a television series in recent history.

Meraz’s Dashiell was exiled from the Rez by his mother at age 13 and returns home after 15 years as a criminal with a mysterious agenda. His return sets him on a violent path of self-discovery about his place on the Rez and on a collision course with both his estranged mother and Red Crow.

The former Twilight star, of the Purepecha (Tarasco) First Nation of Michoacan, Mexico, most recently was seen in Warner Bros.’ Suicide Squad for director David Ayer. He reunited with Ayer and Suicide Squad star Will Smith for the upcoming Netflix original film Bright and also has a heavily recurring role on TNT’s Animal Kingdom. Other upcoming projects include the feature films Last Man Stands and Tranzloco.

TNT Gives Alonso’s “Animal Kingdom” Early Second Season Renewal

Posted on July 7, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Daniella Alonso’s kingdom isn’t going anywhere…

TNT has renewed Animal Kingdom, starring the 37-year-old Puerto Rican and Peruvian-American actress, for a second season.

The series, which is produced by John Wells Productions in association with Warner Horizon Television, received an early 10-episode renewal for premiere in 2017.

Animal Kingdom is inspired by the feature film of the same name written and directed by David Michôd.

“Animal Kingdom has signaled the new tone for TNT dramas and is moving the network in the direction we hoped it would,” said Sarah Aubrey, executive vice president of original programming for TNT. “I’m confident that our strategy of working with high-caliber talent and then getting out of their way will continue to pay off.”

In addition to Alonso, Animal Kingdom, which airs at 9:00 pm ET on Tuesdays, also stars Emmy and Tony winner Ellen Barkin, Scott Speedman, Shawn Hatosy, Ben Robson, Jake Weary, Finn Cole and Molly Gordon.

TNT Expanding the Premiere Episode of Alonso’s “Animal Kingdom”

Posted on May 13, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Daniella Alonso’s kingdom is launching larger than originally planned…

TNT is expanding the premiere episode of its new drama series Animal Kingdom, starring the 37-year-old Puerto Rican and Peruvian-American actress, to two hours and moving the launch to June 14 at 9:00 pm ET. It was previously set for June 7.

Animal Kingdom centers on 17-year-old Joshua “J” Cody, who moves in with his freewheeling relatives in their Southern California beach town after his mother dies of a heroin overdose. Headed by boot-tough matriarch Janine “Smurf” Cody and her right-hand Baz , who runs the business and calls the shots, the clan also consists of Pope, the oldest and most dangerous of the Cody boys; Craig, the tough and fearless middle son; and Deran, the troubled, suspicious “baby” of the family.

In addition to Alonso, the series stars Ellen Barkin, Scott Speedman, Shawn Hatosy, Ben Robson, Jake Weary, Finn Cole and Molly Gordon.

Guerra Lands Role on TNT’s Drama Series “Animal Kingdom”

Posted on April 27, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

The Kingdom (has) come for Carolina Guerra…

The 29-year-old Colombian model, actress and television presenter has booked a recurring role on TNT’s upcoming drama series Animal Kingdom.

The series centers on 17-year-old Joshua “J” Cody (Finn Cole), who moves in with his wild, freewheeling grandmother (Ellen Barkin) and his uncles in their Southern California beach town after his mother overdoses. He is pulled into their life of indulgence and excess and soon discovers that it’s all being funded by the bank robberies they commit.

Guerra will play Lucy, an earthy, sexy woman, who is Baz’s sometime lover. She lives with her son in Mexico, and is the sister of Marco, a mid-level drug trafficker who has a history with the Codys.

Guerra recently starred in indie feature Oro y Polvo and had a co-starring role on the Starz series Da Vinci’s Demons.

Ochoa Lands Recurring Role on TNT’s “Animal Kingdom”

Posted on April 2, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Christina Ochoa is moving to a new kingdom…

The 31-year-old Spanish actress has landed a recurring role on TNT’s upcoming drama series Animal Kingdom.

Hailing from John Wells Prods. in association with Warner Horizon Television, the pilot centers on 17-year-old Joshua “J” Cody (Finn Cole), who moves in with his wild, freewheeling grandmother (Ellen Barkin) and uncles in their Southern California beach town after his mother ODs. He is pulled into their life of indulgence and excess and soon discovers that it’s all being funded by the bank robberies they commit.

Ochoa will portray Renn Randall, a sexy, irreverent surfer who is Craig’s (Ben Robson) lover and drug connection.

Ochoa recurred on El Rey Network’s Matador. Her other credits include guest spots on The Neighbors, Modern Family and I Hate My Teenage Daughter.

Alonso to Star in TNT’s Drama Pilot “Animal Kingdom”

Posted on August 24, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Daniella Alonso is expanding her kingdom…

The 36-year-old Puerto Rican and Peruvian-American actress has landed a series regular role opposite Scott Speedman in TNT’s drama pilot Animal Kingdom.

The pilot centers on 17-year-old Joshua “J” Cody (Finn Cole), who moves in with his wild, freewheeling grandmother (Ellen Barkin) and uncles in their Southern California beach town after his mother overdoses.

He is pulled into their life of indulgence and excess and soon discovers that it’s all being funded by the bank robberies they commit.

Alonso, who starred on NBC’s sci-fi series Revolution, will portray Catherine, Baz’s (Speedman) de facto wife, and the mother of their 3-year- old daughter, Lena.

She most recently starred on the big screen opposite Kevin James in Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2.

The As the World Turns alum’s television credits include The Night Shift, Covert Affairs and Private Practice.

Triple Crown Winner Cabrera Earns ESPY Award for Best MLB Player

Posted on July 17, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

He may have lost the ESPY for Best Male Athlete to the Miami Heat’s LeBron James. But Miguel Cabrera didn’t come empty-handed.

The 30-year-old Venezuelan baseball star, a third baseman for the Detroit Tigers, was named for Best MLB Player at the 21st ESPY Awards show on Wednesday night in Los Angeles.

Cabrera earned the award after becoming the first Triple Crown winner (.330 average, 44 home runs, 139 RBIs) since 1967 and winning the American League MVP title.

Meanwhile, Joel Rosario was named the year’s Best Jockey. The 28-year-old American Thoroughbred horse racing jockey won the award after riding the colt Orb to a win at the Kentucky Derby.

Rosario also won the world’s richest horse race, the $10 million Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai in March, aboard the US-based stallion Animal Kingdom.

ESPY Award is short for Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly Award.

Fan voting, conducted online, was based on performances spanning the past 12 months.

The awards show, which celebrates the year’s best athletes and moments in sports, was hosted by Mad Men star Jon Hamm.

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