Tag Archives: Brian Duffield

Tatyana Ali to Star in the USA Network’s Pilot “Olive Forever”

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Tatyana Ali is extending an Olive branch…

The 38-year-old part-Afro-Panamanian American actress and former The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air star has been cast as a series regular opposite Emily Rudd in USA Network’s Olive Forever, a comedic crime drama pilot from writer Brian Duffield, AwesomenessTV and its former CEO Brian Robbins.

Tatyana Ali

Written by Duffield and to be directed by Matt Shakman, Olive Forever follows the exploits of Olive (Rudd), a high school student, con artist, cat burglar and chameleon who’s mature beyond her years. She is a savvy survivor who knows she can “get away with anything.” A foster kid, Olive knows how to work the system, her tough exterior protecting a girl who’s just looking for a home.

Ali will play Alison, Olive’s foster mother, a quick-witted, tender community college professor who strives to guide Olive away from her criminal past.

Ali, best known for playing Ashley Banks on the iconic comedy series The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, most recently guest-starred on American Koko and Zoe Ever After and previously appeared on The Young and the Restless and Glory Road.

Salazar to Star Opposite Shailene Woodley and Theo James in the “Divergent” Sequel “Insurgent”

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It looks like Rosa Salazar has ties to insurgent groups…

The Canadian-born Latina actress, best known for her role on NBC’s drama series Parenthood, has joined the science fictionaction film Insurgent, based on the novel of the same name by Veronica Roth.

Rosa Salazar

Salazar will portray Lynn in the sequel to the Divergent and the second installment in the Divergent film series.

Summit’s follow-up to the blockbuster hitsees the return of Shailene Woodley and Theo James as citizens in a world where people are divided into factions based on certain values.

Robert Schwentke is directing the sequel — currently shooting in Atlanta — from a script by Brian Duffield and Akiva Goldsman.

The sequel, set for release March 20, 2015, sees most of the cast returning, including Miles Teller, Ansel Elgort, Kate Winslet, Jai Courtney and Zoe Kravitz. Among new additions are Octavia Spencer, who will play Johanna, Suki Waterhouse, Naomi Watts, Daniel Dae Kim and Jonny Weston.

The story follows Tris (Woodley) and Four (James), now fugitives on the run, who must find out what Tris’ family sacrificed their lives to protect, and why the Erudite leaders will do anything to stop them.

Lynn is one of the Dauntless-born initiates, and, in Veronica Roth‘s books, she’s described as beautiful and sporting a shaved head. She’s good friends with Uriah and Marlene (Waterhouse) in the books.

The first film based on Roth’s popular YA series, Divergent, opened in March, going on to earn $267 million worldwide.

In addition to Parenthood, Salazar also appeared on the first season of American Horror Story.

Her film credits include voicing a character in Epic and appearing in the 2014 film Jamesy Boy. She’ll next be seen in the upcoming films Search Party, Night Owls, Submerged and May the Best Man Win.