Sebastián Zurita to Appear in Prime Video Series “The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart”

Sebastián Zurita has a blooming new role…

The 35-yea-old Mexican actor has landed a recurring role in Prime Video’s The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart, based on the novel of the same name by Holly Ringland.

Sebastián ZuritaZurita joins previously announced star and executive producer Sigourney WeaverAlycia Debnam-Carey, Alyla Browne, Leah Purcell, Asher Keddie, Frankie Adams, Alexander England, Tilda Cobham-Hervey and Charlie Vickers.

The 7-part drama series set in Australia tells the story of a young girl, Alice Hart (played by Browne as a youth and Debnam-Carey as an adult), whose violent childhood casts a dark shadow over her adult life. After a family tragedy in which she loses both her abusive father and beloved mother in a mysterious fire, 9-year-old Alice is taken to live with her grandmother June (Weaver) on a flower farm, where she learns that there are secrets within secrets about her and her family’s past.

The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart comes from Amazon Studios and is produced by Made Up Stories and Endeavor Content.

Kirsty Fisher and Kim Wilson are on-board as writers. Glendyn Ivin will direct all 7 episodes.

The series will be produced by Barbara Gibbs and co-executive produced by Made Up Stories’ Lucinda Reynolds.

Up next for Zurita is the April 15 premiere of Prime Video’s Como Sobrevivir Soltero’s second season, a series he stars in and co-created alongside his brother Emiliano Zurita. The project has been renewed for a third season.

He previously starred in El Juego De Las Llaves for Prime Video and Pantaya, and Crackle’s The Oath.

Arlen Escarpeta to Star in the Second Season of OWN’s Drama Series “David Makes Man”

Arlen Escarpeta is the Manof the hour…

The 39-year-old Belizean actor has been cast as a series regular for the second season of OWN’s acclaimed Peabody-winning drama series David Makes Man.

Arlen Escarpeta

He’ll star alongside Kwame Patterson, who has been tapped to portray the title character, the adult version of David.

Escarpeta will play his brother JG, in the series which hails from Oscar winner Tarell Alvin McCraney and Warner Horizon Scripted Television

They join returning series regulars Akili McDowellAlana ArenasTravis Coles and Cayden K. Williams for season two.

Created by McCraney and executive produced by Oprah Winfrey, the first season ofDavid Makes Mancentered on David Young (McDowell), a 14-year-old prodigy learning to survive the streets that raised him and the higher education that could offer him a way out. Season two finds David in his early 30s, a rising business man facing an opportunity that will change him and his community forever; the mounting pressure forces David to choose between the instincts that helped him survive or finding a new way to finally, truly live.

Escarpeta’s television credits include series regular roles on Crackle’s The Oath and NBC’s American Dreams, and a recurring role in Syfy’s The Magicians,among others. He also starred as Bobby Brown in the Lifetime original film Whitney

His feature film credits include Into the StormFinal Destination 5, BrotherhoodFriday the 13th (2009), and We Are Marshall, among others.

JJ Soria to Star in Netflix’s 10-episode Half-Hour Latinx Dramedy “Gentefied”

JJ Soria is getting gentefied

The 32-year-old Mexican-American actor has been cast in the 10-episode half-hour Latinx dramedy Gentefied.

JJ Soria

Soria joins a main cast that includes Karrie MartinCarlos Santos and Joaquín Cosio.

The project hails from Gente-fied: The Digital Series creators Marvin Lemusand Linda Yvette Chávez, showrunner Monica MacerAmerica FerreraTeri Weinbergand Macro.

Written by Lemus and Chávez, Gentefied is adapted from the web series which premiered at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival

Described as a badass bilingual series about family, community, brown love, and the displacement that disrupts it all, Gentefiedis about three Mexican-American cousins (Martin, Soria, Santos) who struggle to chase the American Dream, even while that same dream threatens the things they hold most dear: their neighborhood, their immigrant grandfather (Cosio), and the family taco shop. Set in a rapidly changing Los Angeles, the Spanglish dramedy will navigate important themes like identity, class, and balancing insta-fame with translating memes for their parents. But most importantly,Gentefiedwill settle once and for all how to pronounce Latinx.

Martin will play Ana Morales, a sarcastic, woke, blunt, and endearing, queer artist. Ana is a Chicana who leads with her heart and fights for her art with untethered conviction. She loves her abuelo and her entire family almost to a fault.

Soria will portray Erik, a wisecracking, well-read, charismatic, but tough homie with a heart of gold. He’s a high school dropout, but there isn’t a book in the local library Erik hasn’t read. He’s a reluctant dreamer trying to find his way back to himself. But his loyalty to his grandfather who took him in keeps him from putting time into himself or Lidia, the love of his life.

Santos is Chris, the prodigal grandson, a fun-loving, know-it-all, chef-in-training. Chris is a homegrown Boyle Heights boy who moved to Idaho at a young age and was abruptly introduced to Weezer and cow-tipping. His cousins call him guero for acting and looking like a white boy, which always leaves him wondering if he’ll ever be Mexican enough for anyone.

Cosio is Pop, a hard-working, stoic, but warm, old-fashioned ranchero and the rock of the Morales family. Though gruff with his Tejanaand potty-mouth (“cabron” is his favorite word!), Pop has a huge heart, but that also means a lot of heartache trying to protect them.

“We are thrilled to have gathered a lead cast that captures the unique nuance of the chisme, chistes, and chingaderas that we grew up with in our multi-generational, bilingual, immigrant families,” said Lemus and Chavez. “Joaquin, JJ, Carlos, and Karrie are the abuelo, primos, y prima we shot the shit with as kids, the cousins we partied with, and the grandpa we cried with. They are the Morales family and we can’t wait for everyone to start sending them invites to the carne asada!”

Lemus directs the Netflix production.

A love letter to the Latinx and Boyle Heights communities, creators Lemus and Chavez hope Gentefiedwill let their little cousins rocking Adidas, hoops, and big dreams see themselves on the big screen in ways they only dreamed of growing up.

Martin has co-starred on shows like Pretty Little LiarsThe ArrangementThe Purgeand will soon be appearing in David Ayer’s film The Tax Collector

Soria most recently appeared in the series regular role of Pete Ramos on Crackle series The Oath, and has recurred on TNT’s Animal Kingdom and Freeform’s The Fosters. On the film side, Soria can next be seen in the indie John Henry alongside Terry Crews

CBS Diversity Showcase alum Santos has appeared on CBS’ 2 Broke GirlstruTV’s Adam Ruins Everything and Seeso’s Bajillion Dollar Properties. He also was the lead in the 2013 Slamdance comedy horror feature Ghost Team One and guest-starred on Fox’s The Last Man on Earth

Cosio’s credits include the role of Angel de Plata on FX’s The Strain and Don Neto in Narcos: Mexico.He’s returning for Season 2 of Narcos: Mexicoand will be seen in a starring role in Amazon’s new series CDMX.On the film side, he’ll next be seen in Emilio Portes’ horror thriller Beelzebuth,as well as the sequel to Matando Cabos, where he’ll return to portray the title character. 

Gerard Celasco to Star in ABC’s Drama Pilot “The Finest” 

Gerard Celasco has landed his Finest role yet…

The 35-year-old Salvadoran-American actor has been cast in the ABC drama pilot The Finest (aka Untitled Holmes Sisters), from former CSI: NY showrunner Pam Veasey, Robin Roberts, Regina King, and ABC Studios.

Gerard Celasco

Celasco will star opposite Eric BalfourDorian Missick, Zoe Robins, Frances Turner, Amirah Vanh and Tisha Campbell-Martin.

Written by Veasey and directed by King, the drama explores the lives of five African-American sisters, all officers in the NYPD, as they face the challenges of their high-risk jobs while juggling the responsibilities of marriage, motherhood and family.

Celasco will play Lucas, Nicole’s ex-boyfriend.

Celasco most recently recurred opposite Adam Brody and Ron Perlman on the Crackle series StartUp. 

Crackle Renews Otmara Marrero’s Series “StartUp” for a Third Season

Otmara Marrero is starting up again…

Sony’s Crackle has given the greenlight to a 10-episode third season of its popular hour-long original series StartUp, starring the Latina actress.

Otmara Marrero

The sophomore season of the tech-infused thriller is currently the No.1 title on the free, ad-supported service.

StartUp has also been a hit internationally and well-received by fans in more than 50 countries, according to Crackle.

Created by Ben Ketai, the past season of StartUp took the narrative beyond the world of cryptocurrency and pulled the curtain back on the intersection between technology and the digital black market through a darknet prototype called Araknet.

In addition to Marrero, who portrays Izzy, season 2 stars Adam Brody and Ron Perlman, who also are producers, as well as Martin Freeman, Edi Gathegi and Addison Timlin.

“We are excited to open the writers room and partner with Crackle for Season 3 of StartUp,” said creator Ketai, also a writer, executive producer and director on the series. “This past season was exciting, with nods to relevant and timely topics like corporatization of the Internet, Bitcoin , after having paid attention to the bitcoin news now, and the darknet that made for some great storytelling. But the series works because those headlines are juxtaposed with the personal stories of our characters and how the cost of ambition impacts their lives and the lives of those around them. We will take that narrative even further in this next chapter and look forward to bringing the StartUp family back together again in the new year.”

StartUp is produced by Critical Content and Hollywood Gang Productions.

“Thanks to Ben Ketai for his vision and to our stellar ensemble cast — Martin, Adam, Ron, Edi, Otmara and Addison — whose tremendous performances gave this series the kind of weight and edge that viewers have come to expect from a Crackle original,” said Eric Berger, GM of Crackle and EVP and Chief Digital Officer at Sony Pictures Television Networks. “We are excited to continue the story in season three and expect that Ben and company will take us on another entertaining and wild ride.”

Isabel Arraiza to Star in Crackle’s Drama Series “The Oath”

Isabel Arraiza is taking an oath

The Latina actress, a Hollywood newcomer, has been cast in a recurring role opposite Sean Bean in Crackle’s upcoming drama series The Oath, executive produced by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson (Power) and his G-Unit Film & Television.

Isabel Arraiza

Written and created by former Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Joe Halpin (Hawaii Five-O, Secrets and Lies), the 10-episode original series explores a world of gangs made up of those sworn to protect and defend and sheds light on corrupt and secret societies that are nearly impossible to join. Only a select few make the cut – but once inside, members will do what they must to protect one another from enemies on the outside and from within their own ranks.

Arraiza will play Lourdes, the daughter of prominent Cartel lawyer Victor Moreno. She spent much of her life distancing herself from the criminal underworld she was born into. When she finds out her husband, detective Pete Ramos, is a member of the Ravens she must decide if she can walk away from her marriage to spare her daughter from the dangerous upbringing she had.

Arraiza, a recent Juilliard grad, also is set to play John DeLorean’s wife Christina Ferrara in indie feature Driven.

J. Anthony Pena to Star in Crackle’s Drama Series “The Oath”

J. Anthony Pena is taking a new Oath

The Latino actor has landed a recurring role opposite Sean Bean in Crackle’s upcoming drama series The Oath, which is being executive produced by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson and his G-Unit Film & Television.

J. Anthony Pena 

Written and created by former Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Joe Halpin, the 10-episode original series explores a world of gangs made up of those sworn to protect and defend and sheds light on corrupt and secret societies that are nearly impossible to join. Only a select few make the cut – but once inside, members will do what they must to protect one another from enemies on the outside and from within their own ranks.

Pena will play Carl, a medically retired police officer and Raven. He opened a bar and lets the Ravens set up shop in the back room to keep it afloat. He is fiercely loyal to his cop patrons, Tom Hammond in particular.

Pena’s credits include guest/recurring roles on Justified and Weeds, and most recently on Netflix’s Love and ABC’s How To Get Away With Murder.

J.J. Soria to Star in Crackle’s Drama Series “The Oath”

J.J. Soria is taking a special oath…

The 30-year-old Mexican American actor has landed a key role opposite Ryan Kwanten and Sean Bean in Crackle’s upcoming drama series The Oath, executive produced by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson and his G-Unit Film & Television.

J.J. Soria

Written and created by former Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Joe Halpin (Hawaii Five-0, Secrets & Lies), the 10-episode original series explores a world of gangs made up of those sworn to protect and defend and sheds light on corrupt and secret societies. They are nearly impossible to join — only a select few make the cut – but once inside, members will do what they must to protect one another from enemies on the outside and from within their own ranks.

Soria will play Officer Pete Ramos, partner and friend of Officer Steve Hammond (Kwanten), and second-in-command of the Ravens cop gang. Ramos is streetwise with a nervous energy and a family man who is driven by the need to prove himself worthy of his wife, who comes from wealth and privilege.

In addition to Kwanten and Bean, Soria joins previously announced cast members Cory Hardrict, Katrina Law and Arlen Escarpeta.

The premiere episode will be directed by Jeff T. Thomas.

Soria has a recurring role on TNT’s Animal Kingdom and Freeform’s The Fosters. His film credits include a starring role in Blumhouse/Universal’s The Purge: Election Year.

Marrero’s Crackle Drama Series “Start Up” Receives 10-Episode Order

Otmara Marrero is ready to start up her career…

Sony’s Crackle is expanding its scripted programming slate with a 10-episode order of the drama series Start Up, starring the Latin-American actress, Martin Freeman Adam Brody and Edi Gathegi.

Otmara Marrero

The hour-long series explores what happens when a brilliant, yet controversial tech idea gets incubated on the wrong side of the tracks by three strangers who don’t necessarily fit the mold of “tech entrepreneurs.”

Set amongst the unconstrained, yet opportunist streets of Miami, Start Up features the high-stakes struggle of what one will do to reach ultimate success.

The series starts filming this week in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Freeman plays FBI agent Phil Rask, specializing in financial crimes. Rask crosses paths with Nick Talman (Brody), a sharp and intelligent financier at a boutique firm in Miami, but it’s not Talman Rask is after, it’s his father. Nick has a problematic relationship with his wealthy, irresponsible father, who disappears and forces Nick to stash his ill-gotten gain—instead of going to the FBI, he decides to hide the money by investing in a tech startup pitched by the unorthodox Izzy Morales, a tech whiz out to change the world (Marrero). Gathegi (The Blacklist) also stars as Ronald Dacey – second-in-command of the local Haitian gang.

The series is written by Ben Ketai, who also serves as executive producer and director.