Natalie Morales to Star in the Dark Dramedy “My Dead Friend Zoe”

Posted on May 19, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Natalie Morales is making a new (dead) friend…

The 38-year-old Cuban American actress will star opposite Ed Harris and Sonequa Martin-Green in My Dead Friend Zoe, a dark dramedy about two generations of veterans, family and friendship.

Kyle Hausmann-Stokes will direct the project in what will be his feature debut.

Written by Hausmann-Stokes and A.J. Bermudez, the film tells the story of a female veteran (Martin-Green) engaged in a mysterious but comfortable friendship with her wise-cracking (and dead) best friend from the Army (Morales). When the vet is summoned to the remote lake house of her estranged Vietnam vet grandfather (Harris), she is tasked with providing the one thing he refuses…help.

The film is based on Merit x Zoe, a short that Hausmann-Stokes co-wrote and directed last year, and both films draw inspiration from his real-life experiences during and after the military. A graduate of USC’s School of Cinematic Arts, Hausmann-Stokes served five years in the U.S. Army as a paratrooper and convoy commander and was awarded the Bronze Star while in Iraq. He co-founded the nonprofit Veterans in Media & Entertainment, and has focused his directing career thus far on the social and human sides of the military and veteran experience.

“My fellow veterans and I often get reduced to archetypes and melodramatic tropes. We’re much more dynamic, funny, complex than that,” said Hausmann-Stokes. “This will be a story about veterans we haven’t seen before; one that anyone, military/veteran or not, can relate to and enjoy.”

A Gotham Award nominee who’ll next be seen in the third season of Apple TV+’s The Morning Show and Sony’s R-rated comedy No Hard Feelings, Morales has previously appeared in such studio features as Stuber, The Little Things and Battle of the Sexes, as well as well-regarded indies like Language Lessons and I’m Totally Fine.

She led the NBC sitcom Abby’s and has also been seen on series like Dead to Me, Santa Clarita Diet, The Grinder, Parks and Recreation and White Collar.

Other upcoming projects for the actress include two films out of SXSW 2023: the sci-fi romance If You Were the Last with Anthony Mackie, and actor Jake Johnson’s feature directorial debut, Self Reliance.

Juan Pablo Raba to Star in the Action Comedy “Freelance”

Posted on January 18, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Juan Pablo Raba is freelancing…

The 45-year-old Colombian actor will star in director Pierre Morel’s action comedy Freelance.

Raba, best known for his roles in Narcos, Peppermint and Coyote, will appear opposite John Cena and Alison Brie in the film.

Filming is now underway in Colombia on the film, which follows a special forces operator (Cena) who decides to retire from the Army and start a family back in the U.S. After several years of mortgage payments, school drop-offs, backyard barbecues and trying to conform to life in suburbia, he decides to come out of retirement to take a gig providing security for a female journalist (Brie) as she interviews a cruel dictator who may or may not have ordered the attack on him and his men. When a military coup breaks out in the middle of the interview, the three are forced to escape into the jungle where they must survive the elements, the military and one another.

Endurance Media’s Steve Richards is producing alongside Sentient Entertainment’s Renee Tab and Christopher Tuffin. Jaime Hernandez is executive producer.

The film is written by Jacob Lentz, marking his feature writing debut.

Raba recently appeared in the action-thriller The Marksman alongside Liam Neeson. His television roles include Ricky Ortiz in History’s military drama Six and Gustavo in hit Netflix series Narcos.

He can currently be seen in Netflix’s original Colombian series Distrito Salvaje, in which he stars and executive produces.

“So pleased to have such a great cast coming together on Freelance and to be working with such accomplished actors,” said Richards. “With Pierre Morel at the helm, John, Alison and Juan Pablo make a perfect trio for this fun adventure!”

Cecilia Suarez to Narrate Telemundo & The Story Lab’s New Podcast “Fort Hood,” Spotlighting the Case of Slain Army Soldier Vanessa Guillén

Posted on October 30, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Cecilia Suarez is helping shine a light on the case of slain Army soldier Vanessa Guillén.

The 49-year-old Mexican actress and prominent activist will narrate Telemundo and The Story Lab’s new podcast Fort Hood, a seven-part limited series that launched this week.

The podcast, narrated in English and Spanish by Suarez, takes a probing look at the 20-year-old’s April 2020 murder at the hands of fellow Fort Hood soldier Aaron David Robinson.

All episodes are about 30 minutes in length and are now available.

Guillen’s case drew nationwide attention, with her family, public officials, lawmakers and celebrities demanding #JusticeForVanessaGuillen.

After disappearing from the base, Guillén’s remains were found two months later. Investigators say she was killed by Robinson, who later fatally shot himself as police tried to take him into custody.

Guillén’s family has raised allegations she was sexually harassed before she was killed.

In July, Robinson’s girlfriend Cecily Aguilar was indicted on 11 counts by a federal grand jury as an accessory for allegedly helping Robinson destroy and bury Guillén’s remains.

Fort Hood will also explore the role of the military in the investigation, which has been heavily criticized. It also delves into the case revealing a deeper, more complex story about a renowned U.S. military base with a long record of unreported sexual abuse, and highlights Guillén’s family, which refused to stay quiet as they pushed authorities for answers.

“This is a consequential story that touches on critical issues in our country,” Telemundo Network News president Luis Fernandez said. “It’s a revealing exposé and a necessary investigation. Noticias Telemundo, with The Story Lab, believe this important story deserved a deeper examination and this format allows us to do just that.”

Jon Seda Rejoins Cast of NBC’s Drama Pilot “La Brea”

Posted on March 6, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Jon Seda is heading back to La Brea…

The 50-year-old Puerto Rican actor has rejoined the cast of NBC’s drama pilot La Brea.

Seda, who will star opposite Eoin Macken and Natalie Zea on the series, was originally cast in the project a year ago and released in June due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Meanwhile, Hollywood newcomer has joined the cast of the pilot.

In La Brea, written by David Appelbaum, when a massive sinkhole mysteriously opens in Los Angeles, it tears a family in half, separating mother (Zea) and son (Martin) from father and daughter. When part of the family find themselves in an unexplainable primeval world, alongside a disparate group of strangers, they must work to survive and uncover the mystery of where they are and if there is a way back home. (The family’s last name has been changed from Wolcott to Harris.)

Seda plays Dr. Sam Velez (originally Dr. Benjamin Glass). The father of a teenage girl, he carries himself like the general of an Army. Santiago plays Veronica. Very rigid and formal, she does her best to comfort and protect her younger sister.

Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group, is the studio, producing with Keshet Studios.

Seda starred for seven seasons on the Chicago franchise as Detective Antonio Dawson. One of the original stars of the franchise, he started off as a recurring on the mothership Chicago Fire before he was spun off to Chicago P.D. He also appeared for a time on the short-lived legal drama spinoff Chicago Justice. He previously played Nelson Hidalgo on Treme.

Santiago, a graduate of Northwestern University and LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, has appeared in numerous stage productions including the All-Female Macbeth (Red Bull Theater), Othello (Shakespeare in the Park, Romeo & Juliet (Huntington Theatre), and most recently the Public’s mobile Shakespeare production of Measure For Measure.

Apple TV+ Releases Trailer for Ciara Bravo’s Drama “Cherry”

Posted on January 17, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Ciara Bravo has found her cherry on top…

Apple TV+ has released the official trailer for Cherry, starring the part-Latina actress.

The drama teams Marvel alums Tom Holland and Joe and Anthony Russo in the true life tale of a Iraq War hero who battles PTSD and spirals into addiction and robbing banks upon his return to civilian life.

The film will hit theaters and the streamer on February 26 .

Based on Nico Walker’s novel based on his life story and with a screenplay by Angela Russo-Otstot and Jessica Goldberg, Holland’s Cherry drifts from dropping out of college to serving as an Army medic in Iraq, through it all anchored by his true love Emily (Bravo). But his undiagnosed PTSD spurs bad decisions, shattering his relationship as he falls. Jack Reynor, Michael Rispoli, Jeff Wahlberg, Forrest Goodluck and Michael Gandolfini also star.

The film is a darkly humorous, unflinching coming-of-age story.

It also marks the Russos’ first directing gig since Avengers: Endgame, the highest-grossing movie of all time. This one they financed themselves — like Walker, the brothers are from Cleveland where this movie is set — via their AGBO production outfit.

Apple is making it a big awards-season play after it acquired worldwide rights to the film in September in a deal in the $40 million range.

Ivonne Galaz Releases Tribute Song to Murdered U.S. Army Soldier Vanessa Guillén

Posted on July 8, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Ivonne Galaz is raising her voice to honor murdered U.S. army soldier Vanessa Guillén.

The Mexican singer, one of the young female singers leading the emerging corridos tumbados movement, revisits Guillén’s tragic fate in a tribute song she’s uploaded to her Instagram account.

“JusticeForVanessaGuillen with much respect to Vanessa’s family,” wrote Galaz, who titled the track “Vanessa Guillén.”

After Guillén’s disappearance made national headlines, the lawyer for her family confirmed on Sunday that the U.S. Armypositively identified the soldier’s remains near the Leon River in Texas last week.

Guillén, 20, a soldier in Fort Hood, was declared missing by her family since April, but the search for her only intensified last month when the family went public with appeals to find her.

Galaz, the first female signee on corridos tumbados label Rancho Humilde, uploaded the song to Instagram on Sunday night. Corridos tumbados (sometimes referred to as trap corridos) are a new take on the traditional Mexican song from the perspective of the youth in the streets of the U.S.

Backed by an acoustic guitar, Galáz sympathizes with Guillén’s family in her heartbreaking corrido. “Her suffering family asking, ‘Where is the girl?'” she sings in Spanish. Galáz sadly notes Guillén’s “light has been put out” while highlighting her heritage in the haunting final line: “The Mexican people, we will be there so that her case is not forgotten.”

Many Latino artists, including Becky G, Chiquis, Salma Hayek and Intocable, have posted about Guillen in social media, demanding answers from authorities at her base.

The main suspect in Guillén’s murder, Spc. Aaron David Robinson, who was stationed with the her at Fort Hood, killed himself last Wednesday as investigators were closing in. Robinson’s reported girlfriend, Cecily Aguilar, says Robinson murdered Guillén and that she tried to help him dispose of her body. Aguilar was charged with one count of conspiracy to tamper with evidence.

Galáz hails from Senora, Mexico, the same state as her labelmate Natanael Cano. She made her debut last year as a featured artist on Cano’s “Golpes de La Vida” from his Mi Nuevo Yo EP. On Rancho Humilde’s recent Corridos Tumbados Vol. 2 album, Galáz recorded with Cano again and also teamed up with Natalie Lopéz on the girl-powered “La Rueda.” A solo project from Galaz is due out soon.

Jon Huertas Signs with CAA for Representation

Posted on December 3, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

Jon Huertas is getting creative…

The 50-year-old Puerto Rican actor has signed with the Creative Artists Agency (CAA) for representation.

Huertas currently stars as Miguel on NBC’s Emmy, Golden Globe and SAG Award-winning family drama This Is Us, which recently had its fall finale and received a three-season renewal earlier this year that would take it through season six.

In addition to This Is Us, Huertas’ credits include his role on Castle as Detective and Army veteran Javier Esposito. He starred on the ABC series for eight seasons. He also appeared in David Simon’s Generation Kill as Sgt. Tony “Poke” Espera. The HBO miniseries shed a unique and streetwise perspective of the 2003 invasion of Iraq. The character hit close to home for Huertas, who is a veteran himself.

Huertas and fellow collaborator Kenny Stevenson recently launched the production shingle WestSide Storiesand will continue to develop content for television and film.

Davi Santos to Star in CBS All Access’ Psychological Thriller Series “Tell Me a Story”

Posted on July 11, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

It’s Storytime for Davi Santos…

The 28-year-old Brazilian actor has landed a major role in CBS All Access’ straight-to-series psychological thriller Tell Me a Story, from Kevin Williamson and Aaron Kaplan’s Kapital Entertainment.

Written by Williamson, Tell Me a Story, which co-stars Billy Magnussen and Kim Catrall, is based on a Spanish format. It takes the world’s most beloved fairy tales and reimagines them as a dark and twisted psychological thriller.

Set in modern day New York City, the first season of this serialized drama interweaves “The Three Little Pigs,” “Little Red Riding Hood,” and “Hansel and Gretel” into an epic and subversive tale of love, loss, greed, revenge and murder.

Santos will play Gabe, a damaged and vulnerable young man with abandonment issues. When his sister Hannah (Dania Ramirez), his only family, enlisted in the Army, Gabe found himself lost in a lifestyle filled with sex and drugs in an attempt to shut out his reality. But when he finds himself in an irrevocable situation, he turns to his sister for help and they both embark on a deadly chase for survival.

He joins a cast that also includes James Wolk, Danielle Campbell and Paul Wesley.

Liz Friedlander directs and executive produces the first two episodes.

Santos, who played Ivan in Power Rangers Dino Charge, most recently recurred on Law & Order: True Crime and guest-starred on Will & Grace.

Jessica Camacho to Star on Season Two of NBC’s Drama “Taken”

Posted on July 26, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Jessica Camacho has taken on a new role…

The 34-year-old Latina actress has signed on as a series regular for the second season of NBC’s drama series Taken.

Camacho will play Santana, a scary-smart, rule-breaking former Army captain who possesses an acerbic wit and calculated bravado, according to TVLine, which first reported the casting.

Due to a change in creative direction, Camacho joins a revamped Season 2 that will have a very different look. Only series regulars Clive Standen (Bryan Mills), and Jennifer Beals (Christina Hart) will return for the second season.

Camacho’s credits include roles on The Flash, Frequency, Sleepy Hollow and Minority Report.

History Renews Raba’s Navy SEAL Drama Series “Six” for Second Season

Posted on February 26, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Juan Pablo Raba has six reasons to celebrate…

History has ordered a 10-episode second season of its breakout Navy SEAL drama series Six, starring the 40-year-old Colombian actor, up from its current eight-episode first season.

From A+E Studios and Weinstein Television, and created by father/son duo William and David Broyles, Six has been a strong ratings performer for History, averaging 2.9 million total viewers in Live+3 over the first four weeks. The January 18 premiere drew 3 million total viewers in Live+7, including 1.4 million in adults 25-54 and 1.2 million in adults 18-49.

Six follows members of Navy SEAL Team Six, modern American warriors, whose covert mission to eliminate a Taliban leader in Afghanistan goes awry when they uncover a U.S. citizen working with terrorists. In the first season, former SEAL Team Six troop leader, Richard ‘Rip’ Taggart (Walton Goggins), is captured by Boko Haram and it’s up to his former SEAL Team Six brothers – led by Joe Graves (Barry Sloane), Alex Caulder (Kyle Schmid) and Ricky “Buddha” Ortiz (Raba) – to put their differences aside to locate and rescue their former troop leader.

Edwin Hodge, Dominic Adams, Brianne Davis, Nadine Velazquez, Jaylen Moore, Donny Boaz, and Nondumiso Tembe also star.

“Six is a captivating drama series that embraces our recent history, while being immensely relevant in the climate of today’s culture,” said Jana Bennett, President & General Manager of History. “It has struck a genuine chord with our audience and we’re proud to continue to tell the courageous stories, both on and off the battlefield, of the complex lives of this elite military group.”

Six is part of the post-election shift in television toward more patriotic fare spotlighting America’s heroes in the military. Six followed the breakout success of new USA Network drama Shooter, about a heroic former Marine, which also was renewed for a second season. The broadcast networks have followed suit with four military drama pilots this season: NBC’s For God and Country, Fox’s Behind Enemy Lines, CBS’ SEAL project and the CW’s Valor.

Six, which airs Wednesdays at 10 PM, may have put an end to a lengthy search by History over the last several years for a second strong scripted series to join flagship Vikings.

The renewal announcement comes ahead of the show’s March 8 Season 1 finale.

Production is set to begin this summer.

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