Isabella Gomez to Appear in Recurring Role on Apple’s Comedy Series “Shrinking”

Posted on April 10, 2025 by Tom Castaneda

Isabella Gomez’s resume is shrinking… in a good way.

The 27-year-old Colombian actress has joined the cast of Apple’s comedy series Shrinking in a recurring role.

Co-created by Jason Segel, Bill Lawrence and Brett Goldstein, Shrinking follows grieving therapist Jimmy (Segel), who starts to break the rules and tell his clients exactly what he thinks. Ignoring his training and ethics, he finds himself making huge, tumultuous changes to people’s lives … including his own.

In addition to Segel and Ford, Christa Miller, Jessica Williams, Luke Tennie, Michael Urie, Lukita Maxwell and Ted McGinley also star.

Jeff Daniels will guest star as Jimmy’s father.

Shrinking is produced for Apple TV+ by Warner Bros Television, where Lawrence and Goldstein are under overall deals, and Lawrence’s Doozer Productions.

Since its premiere, the series has received SAG Award nominations for Best Ensemble, as well as for performances by Segel and Ford; a Critics Choice Award win for Best Supporting Actor Urie; and nominations for Emmy Awards, and the WGA, among many others.

Gomez recently embraced her theater roots with a starring role in Gloria Calderon Kellett’s One of the Good Ones. She was also recently seen in ABC’s hit series The Goldbergs as Adam Goldberg’s love interest, Carmen, and had a starring role in Amazon’s With Love.

She’s best known for her award-winning role as Elena Álvarez in the critically acclaimed series One Day at a Time.

On the film front, Gomez was recently seen leading E’s romantic comedy Royal Rendezvous and starring in the coming-of-age drama Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe.

She also lends her voice to Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, Disney Channel’s animated shows Big Hero 6: The Series and Star vs. the Forces of Evil.

Al Madrigal Joins Cast of HBO Max’s “Clone High”

Posted on March 25, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Al Madrigal’s career is hitting a (clone) high note…

The 51-year-old half-Mexican American actor has joined the cast of Clone High, HBO Max’s upcoming revival of the classic MTV series from Phil Lord, Chris Miller and Bill Lawrence.

The animated series will premiere this spring, it was revealed during the show’s panel at WonderCon.

Returning voice cast includes Will Forte reprising his role as Abe; Nicole Sullivan as Joan; Lord as Scudworth; Chris Miller as JFK and Mr. B; Christa Miller voicing a new character, Candide Sampson; Donald Faison back as George Washington Carver; and Judah Miller as Scangrade.

Dubbed a “modern refresh” of the 2002 animated series, the follow-up is set at a high school for clones of historical figures. After a high school that was secretly being run as an elaborate military experiment to clone the greatest minds in history was put on ice, the clones have been thawed out 20 years later to resume the experiment with new clone classmates – all while navigating a new set of cultural norms and overly dramatic teen relationships.

Of the core characters in the original series, Abe, Joan (of Arc), JFK, Mr. B and Scudworth are back voiced by the same actors; Gandhi, who was voiced by Michael McDonald, is not featured in the reboot, and Cleo, who was originally voiced by Christa Miller, will now be voiced by Iranian-American actor Mitra Jouhari.

In addition to Madrigal, who will portray Federico, the series’ new voice cast also includes Ayo Edebiri as Harriet; Vicci Martinez as Frida; Kelvin Yu as Confucius; Neil Casey as Topher Bus; Jana Schmieding as Sacagawea; Sam Richardson as Wesley; Mo Gaffney as Ms. Grumbles; Danny Pudi as Dr. Neelankavil; Emily Maya Mills as Ethel Merman; Michael Bolton as Michael Bolton, Mandy Moore as Mandy Moore, Ian Ziering as Ian Ziering; Steve Kerr as Steve Kerr; and Jeffrey Muller, Kyle Lau, Dannah Phirman, and Danielle Schneider.

From MTV Entertainment Studios, Clone High, which has a two-season order, is executive produced by Phil Lord, Chris Miller, Bill Lawrence, Erica Rivinoja, and Erik Durbin.

Natalie Martinez to Star Opposite Vince Vaughn in Apple TV+ Drama Series “Bad Monkey”

Posted on March 17, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Natalie Martinez is monkeying around…

The 37-year-old Cuban-American actress has been cast as a series regular opposite Vince Vaughn in the Apple TV+ drama series Bad Monkey.

The news comes only days after Martinez became available following the cancellation of NBC’s Ordinary Joe.

Martinez replaces Ana Villafañe, who had originally been cast in the role.

The series, written and executive produced by Ted Lasso co-creator Bill Lawrence, based on Carl Hiaasen’s popular 2013 novel of the same name.

Bad Monkey tells the story of Andrew Yancy (Vaughn), a onetime detective demoted to restaurant inspector in Southern Florida. A severed arm found by a tourist out fishing pulls Yancy into the world of greed and corruption that decimates the land and environment in both Florida and the Bahamas. And yes, there’s a monkey.

Martinez plays Rosa, a Miami medical examiner who is starting to realize she may not be cut out for her job, so is happy to ditch work and help Yancy try to figure out the story of the severed arm he brings into her lab.

In addition to Vaughn, Martinez joins Michelle Monaghan, Jodie Turner-Smith, Meredith Hagner, Rob Delaney and Arturo Luis Soria in the cast. Alex Moffat guest stars.

Lawrence executive produces through his Doozer Productions alongside Matt Tarses and Doozer’s Jeff Ingold. Marcos Siega directs the first episode and serves as executive producer. Doozer’s Liza Katzer serves as co-executive producer. Warner Bros Television is the studio.

Martinez starred as Amy Kindelán opposite James Wolk in Ordinary Joe. She previously starred in the series Kingdom, The Crossing, Under the Dome and Secrets and Lies.

HBO Max Releases Trailer for “Head of the Class” Reboot Starring Isabella Gomez

Posted on October 12, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Isabella Gomez is heading to class…

HBO Max has released a first-look trailer for its Head of the Class reboot, starring the 23-year-old Colombian actress.

The series, which features original cast member Robin Givens, will debut on November 4.

The 10-episode series, which hails from executive producer Bill Lawrence, is based on the sitcom created by Rich Eustis & Michael Elias that aired on ABC from 1986-91.

It revolves around a group of overachieving high school students who meet their greatest challenge — a teacher, Alicia Gomez (Gomez), who wants them to focus less on grades and more on experiencing life.

Givens reprises her role as Darlene Hayward (née Merriman), catching up with the former high school overachiever as an adult, whose career in law is thriving. Darlene wants what is best for her son and is hyper-focused on setting him up for success. She might need a reminder of the positive impact an out-of-the-box teacher can have — having had her own similar experience in high school — but she’s fighting for the good of all students at Meadows Creek High as co-head of the Parents’ Association.

The HBO Max Original also stars Jorge Diaz, Jolie Hoang Rappaport, Gavin Lewis, Dior Goodjohn, Brandon Severs, Adrian Matthew Escalona, and Katie Beth Hall, with Givens guest-starring alongside Christa Miller.

Amy Pocha & Seth Cohen wrote the pilot episode for the series from Doozer Productions, in association with Warner Bros. Television.

HBO Max Gives 10-Episode Order to Isabella Gomez’s “Head of the Class” Reboot

Posted on March 31, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Isabella Gomez is officially heading back to the classroom…

HBO Max has handed the reboot of Head of the Class, starring the 23-year-old Colombian-American actress and One Day at a Time star, a 10-episode order.

The series hails from Bill Lawrence, fresh off the back of two Golden Globes nominations for Ted Lasso, and American Vandal writers Amy Pocha and Seth Cohen.

This comes after the project was handed a pilot order and five additional scripts in May 2020.

Based on the 1980s ABC comedy created by Rich Eustis & Michael Elias, the half-hour multi-camera series stars Gomez as teacher Alicia Adams, who wants her group of overachieving high school students to focus less on grades and more on experiencing life.

Jorge Diaz, Jolie Hoang-Rappaport, Gavin Lewis, Dior Goodjohn, Brandon Severs, Adrian Matthew Escalona and Katie Beth Hall also star with Christa Miller guest starring.

The series is produced by Doozer Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television.

Production is set to begin later this summer in L.A.

Jorge Diaz to Star in Pilot for HBO Max’s “Head of the Class” Sitcom Reboot

Posted on January 21, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Jorge Diaz is moving to the head of the class…

The 37-year-old Mexican American actor has joined the cast of HBO Max’s multi-camera comedy pilot Head of the Class, a reboot of the popular 1980s ABC sitcom.

Diaz joins a roster of new additions to the cast that includes Dior Goodjohn, Brandon Severs, Adrian Matthew Escalona and Christa Miller.

They join previously announced Isabella Gomez, Gavin Lewis and Jolie Hoang-Rappaport in the reboot which hails from American Vandal writers Amy Pocha and Seth Cohen, Bill Lawrence and his Doozer Productions; and Warner Bros. Television, which produced the original series.

Written by Pocha and Cohen, based on the original series created by Rich Eustis and Michael Elias, the reimagined Head of the Class revolves around a group of overachieving high school students who meet their greatest challenge — a teacher Alicia Adams (Gomez), who wants them to focus less on grades and more on experiencing life.

Diaz plays Elliot Olsen, a goofy English teacher who loves his job and is genuine to a fault. Goodjohn is Robyn Rook. Stem queen turned Twitch streamer, Robyn’s the defacto leader of the class – though she’d never admit it. Severs will portray Terrell Smith, is a year-round athlete, who is uber-positive and all about team mentality. Escalona is Miles Mendelson, the shy, introverted, overthinking coder, who’d rather spend time with computers than people. Miller recurs as Principal Maris, an intimidating, tough love boss that always puts the students first.

Diaz has appeared on a number of hit comedies including the CW’s Jane The Virgin, NBC’s The Good Place and Netflix’s Arrested Development. He also starred as SPC Israel Garza in Nat Geo’s Critics Choice-nominated Iraq war drama, The Long Road Home. On the film side, Diaz portrayed Hector Estrella in Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones, earning a nomination for an Imagen Foundation Award for his performance.

Escalona was first discovered in 2018, when a video of him singing “She Used To Be Mine” from the Broadway musical Waitress went viral with almost 4 million views and counting. He went on to be invited by Waitress writer and composer Sara Bareilles to make a guest appearance during her tour stop in Pittsburgh, near his home town. Head of the Class is Escalona’s first major TV role.

Gloria Calderón Kellett Taking Part in Latinx-Themed Panel for Virtual ATX Television Festival

Posted on May 14, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Gloria Calderón Kellett is representin’…

The 45-year-old Cuban American television writer and One Day at a Time co-showrunner will be taking part in ATX Television Festival’s virtual edition, which has been appropriately titled “ATX TV…From The Couch!”

Calderón Kellett will take part in a conversation about Latinx representation on the small screen, alongside Vida creator Tanya Saracho, Pose’s co-creator Steven Canals and Diary of a Future President’s Ilana Peña.

Calderón Kellett, Saracho, Canals and Peña, some of today’s hottest Latinx content creators, will be “Celebrating Authentic Stories,” the title of their panel.

They’ll talk about celebrating and continuing the push for positive Latinx representation, as well as how decision-makers within the industry can amplify Latinx voices.

“ATX TV… from the Couch!” marks the first virtual event for the fest and will include industry-forward panels with showrunners and executives, sneak previews of upcoming series, and virtual events such as television trivia and a music showcase.

The virtual event will take place June 5-7. It will be free to access via ATX’s official YouTube channe l, with the option for viewers to donate to select organizations providing COVID-19 relief regionally and nationally.

In addition to the Latinx panel, the festival’s virtual line-up will include conversations with cast and creatives from Freeform’s The Bold Type, NBC’s hit drama New Amsterdam, and The CW’s mystery-drama Nancy Drew.

The ATX Television Festival will also include a Scrubs reunion with the show’s creator Bill Lawrence, as well as cast members Zach Braff, Donald Faison, Sarah Chalke, John C. McGinley, and Judy Reyes. The cast was previously confirmed for ATX Season 9 in Austin, and rescheduled their in-person reunion for the 2021 festival.

Ana Ortiz to Star in ABC’s Action-Comedy Pilot “Whiskey Cavalier”

Posted on February 22, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

Ana Ortiz is getting a little cavalier…

The 47-year-old half-Puerto Rican actress and former Ugly Betty and Devious Maids star has been cast opposite Scott Foley and Lauren Cohan in Whiskey Cavalier, ABC’s hourlong action-dramedy pilot from Bill Lawrence, Dave Hemingson and Warner Bros. Television.

Written by Hemingson, Whiskey Cavalier, from WBTV and Lawrence’s studio-based Doozer Prods., follows the adventures of FBI agent Will Chase (codename: Whiskey Cavalier) — played by Foley — who, following an emotional break-up, is assigned to work with quick, cunning and completely fearless CIA operative Francesca “Frankie” Trowbridge (codename: Fiery Tribune) — played by Cohan. Together, they lead an interagency team of spies who periodically save the world (and each other) while navigating the rocky roads of friendship, romance and office politics.

Ortiz will play Susan Sampson. Based out of the FBI’s New York office, Dr. Susan Sampson is the FBI’s top behavioral scientist — and Will’s (Foley) best friend. However, that doesn’t stop her from developing a fast friendship with Will’s rival (and future partner), Frankie (Cohan).

This marks Ortiz’s return to ABC where she co-starred on popular dramedy Ugly Betty for its four-season run and also starred in Devious Maids, which was developed and piloted by ABC before landing a series order at Lifetime.

PenaVega to Star Opposite Lucy Hale in CW’s Dramedy Pilot “Life Sentence”

Posted on March 14, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Carlos PenaVega has received a life setence…

The 27-year-old Spanish and Dominican American actor/singer will star as a series-regular opposite Lucy Hale in the CW’s dramedy pilot Life Sentence.

From Warner Bros. Television and Bill Lawrence’s studio-based Doozer Prods, the pilot was written by Significant Mother creators Erin Cardillo and Richard Keith.

Directed by Lee Toland Krieger, Life Sentence centers on Stella (Hale), a young woman diagnosed with terminal cancer. When she finds out that she’s not dying after all, she has to learn to live with the choices she made when she decided to “live like she was dying.”

PenaVega will play Darrius, Lucy’s brother-in-law. He’s the extremely positive and family-loving, pharmaceutical rep who Stella’s sister, Elizabeth, met during one of her hospital stays.

PenaVega, best known for starring on the Nickelodeon series Big Time Rush, most recently starred as Kenickie in Grease: Live.

He competed on the 21st season on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars, finishing in fourth place.

Caamaño to Star in Semi-Autobiographical Comedy Pilot “Vlad” for NBC

Posted on November 10, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

It appears that NBC is Vlad about Vladimir Caamaño…

NBC has given a put pilot commitment to the multi-camera comedy Vlad, starring the young Dominican American stand-up comedian.

From the Undateable duo of creator/executive producer Adam Sztykiel and executive producer Bill Lawrence, the project comes from Warner Bros. Television and Lawrence’s studio-based Doozer.

Written by Sztykiel and Caamaño, Vlad is a hailed as a family comedy inspired by Caamaño’s real-life family dynamic living with his Dominican father and older brother in the Bronx. Caamaño’s family and upbringing are often mentioned in his stand-up routines.

Caamaño will co-executive produce the series.

The project is a possible companion for NBC’s multi-camera family comedy The Carmichael Show, co-created by and starring another young comedian, Jerrod Carmichael.

Caamaño already had been on NBC’s radar as a 2013 finalist in the NBC Standup for Diversity showcase.

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