Vanessa Rubio Upped to Series Regular on Netflix’s “Cobra Kai”

Vanessa Rubio is stepping things up…

The 37-year-old Colombian-American actress has been promoted to series regular for the upcoming fourth season of Netflix’s Cobra Kai.

Vanessa Rubio 

Starring Ralph Macchio and William Zabka, the Karate Kid sequel series is one of the streamer’s most popular shows.

Rubio has portrayed Carmen Diaz since Season 1, appearing in 16 episodes. Carmen is Miguel’s (Xolo Maridueña) hard-working mother who would do anything to protect her son.

The third season recently premiered in January, hitting No. 1 worldwide on Netflix. The first three seasons of Cobra Kai are now streaming on Netflix with the fourth season production underway in Atlanta.

Cobra Kai takes place over 30 years after the events of the 1984 All Valley Karate Tournament with the continuation of the inescapable conflict between Daniel LaRusso (Macchio) and Johnny Lawrence (Zabka).

Cobra Kai is written and executive produced by Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg via their production company, Counterbalance Entertainment. Will Smith, James Lassiter and Caleeb Pinkett executive produce for Westbrook Entertainment along with Susan Ekins in association with Sony Pictures Television. Macchio and Zabka also serve as executive producers.

In addition to Cobra Kai, Rubio recently appeared in the second season of Netflix’s Bonding.

Her other previous TV credits include Netflix’s Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings and Master of None, WGN’s Gone and NBC’s Deception.

Her film work includes How To Be Single, The Hudson Tribes and The Girl is in Trouble.

Victoria Moroles to Star in the Natalie Morales-Directed Comedy “Plan B”

Victoria Moroles is a woman with a Plan (B) 

The 24-year-old Mexican American actress will star opposite Kuhoo Verma in Plan B, the comedy from actress/director Natalie Morales.

Victoria Moroles

Written by Prathi Srinivasan and Joshua Levy, the story takes place after a regrettable first sexual encounter, when a straight-laced high school student and her slacker best friend have 24 hours to hunt down a Plan B pill in America’s heartland.

Plan B is said to a contemporary look at the adventure movie that has a diverse friendship at its center.

Hulu is behind the project that hails from Counterbalance Entertainment and American High.

Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg will produce via Counterbalance.

“Over 15 years after making Harold & Kumar, it feels like we’re having déjà vu. Kuhoo and Victoria are such a talented and dynamic duo. We can’t wait for audiences to join them on this hilarious and heartfelt ride,” said Hurwitz and Schlossberg.

Moroles’ previous credits include MTV series Teen Wolf and the Disney Channel series Liv and Maddie.

Netflix Renews Xolo Maridueña’s “Cobra Kai” Series for Fourth Season

Xolo Maridueña will fight another day…

Following the launch of Cobra Kai‘s first two seasons on Netflix, the streamer has renewed the series, starring the 19-year-old Mexican, Cuban & Ecuadorian American actor, for a fourth season.

Xolo Maridueno

The pickup for the series continuation of the iconic The Karate Kid film franchise from Sony Pictures Television, comes ahead of the premiere of Season 3, which has been set for January 8, 2021.

Along with exclusive rights to Season 3 of Cobra Kai, Netflix’s deal with Sony Pictures Television gave it access on a non-exclusive basis to the first two seasons of the show for fans to catch up. Seasons 1 and 2 of the Karate Kid sequel series, featuring the film’s original stars Ralph Macchio and William Zabka, premiered on Netflix in late August and have been topping streaming ratings charts since.

Cobra Kai started as a YouTube original and was a massive breakout hit, topping 55 million YouTube views for Episode 1, while also earning praise from critics. On the heels of a record-setting Season 2 premiere of Cobra Kai, YouTube in April 2019 ordered a third season. Through all the changes at the platform over the past year, YouTube had remained committed to airing the completed third season but notified its Sony Pictures Television partners that they wouldn’t be commissioning a fourth season. Looking to secure a future for the show beyond Season 3, Sony Pictures Television asked permission to shop the upcoming season to an outlet that, in success, could order additional episodes. That strategy has paid off with the Season 4 order by Netflix.

Cobra Kai takes place 30 years after the events of the 1984 All Valley Karate Tournament, where a now successful Daniel LaRusso (Macchio) struggles to maintain balance in his life without the guidance of Mr. Miyagi, and must face his previous adversary, down-and-out Johnny Lawrence ( Zabka), who seeks redemption by reopening the infamous Cobra Kai karate dojo. Martin Kove stars as sensei John Kreese.

Cobra Kai is written and executive produced by Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg via their production company, Counterbalance Entertainment. Macchio and Zabka serve as co-executive producers.

Natalie Morales to Make Solo Feature Directorial Debut with “Plan B”

Natalie Morales is heading behind the camera…

The 35-year-old Cuban American actress, who most recently starred in the second season of Netflix’s Emmy-nominated series Dead to Me, will make her solo feature directorial debut with Plan B, a Counterbalance Entertainment and American High comedy that’s set up at Hulu.

Natalie Morales

Set to begin production next month in Syracuse, NY, the film follows a straight-laced high school student and her slacker best friend who, after a regrettable first sexual encounter, have 24 hours to hunt down a Plan B pill in America’s heartland.

Prathi Srinivasan and Joshua Levy penned the screenplay.

Morales has directed and starred in multiple episodes of HBO’s Room 104 from creators Jay and Mark Duplass. On the big screen, her recent credits include Fox’s Stuber with Kumail Nanjiani and Dave Bautista, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, and Warner Bros.forthcoming The Little Things drama with Oscar winners Denzel Washington and Rami Malek.