Jacqueline Grace Lopez to Star in the CW’s “Jane the Virgin” Spinoff, “Jane the Novela”

Posted on February 28, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

Jacqueline Grace Lopezis ready to bring on the melodrama…

The Latina actress and former East Los High star has landed the lead role in Jane the Novela, the CW‘s Jane the Virgin spinoff pilot.

The telenovela anthology series project hails from Jane the Virgin creator/executive producer Jennie Snyder Urman, star Gina Rodriguez, exec producers Ben Silvermanand director Brad Silberling. as well as studio CBS Television Studios.

Written by Jane the Virgin scribe Valentina Garzaand directed by Silberling, Jane the Novela is envisioned as a soapy, telenovela-inspired anthology series in the tradition of Jane the Virgin, where each season is based on a different fictional novel “written by” Jane Villanueva and narrated by the author herself.

The first installment takes place at a Napa Valley Vineyard, where family secrets (and family members) don’t stay buried for long. It centers on Estela (Lopez), an up and coming art curator who has spent years playing it safe and coloring within the lines. But a shocking secret changes everything and forces her to live a double life.

Being “in the tradition of Jane the Virgin,” Jane the Novelamirrors the setup of the original series. It too follows a driven, imaginative twenty-something Latina woman (Lopez) who is torn between her boyfriend, Luen, and Felix, a handsome, rich guy. In this case, Luen is head of security while Felix co-owns a winery vs. Jane Villanueva’s (Rodriguez) cop boyfriend Michael and rich love interest Rafael, co-owner of the Marbella hotel.

Lopez has a handful of acting credits, most recently a guest spot on Hulu’s Light as a Feather. Her short film The Girl Without Cats, which she wrote and produced, made the festival circuit.

Alejandro Patiño Starring Opposite Matt Bomer in the Heartfelt Drama “Papi Chulo”

Posted on September 5, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

It’s Papi time for Alejandro Patiño…

The Latino actor stars opposite Magic Mike hunk Matt Bomer in the heartfelt drama Papi Chulo, a story that explores a friendship between two very different people.

Making its World Premiere at the Toronto Film Festival on September 8, Papi Chulois writer-director John Butler’s third feature to premiere at TIFF.

The film follows a single TV weatherman (Bomer) living in Los Angeles who is put on leave from work. While on leave, he tries to enjoy his time alone but realizes this solitary lifestyle isn’t for him. When he drives past a hardware store, he spots Ernesto (Patiño, in his first leading feature role), a middle-aged Latino migrant with a friendly face, and hires him to do some home repairs. Despite the language barrier, they develop an unexpected but profound friendship based on the everlasting need for connection.

The film is a new take on the buddy comedy with two very different people as it provides commentary on empathy, stereotypes, and xenophobia — two of today’s very timely topics.

Patiño’s previous credits include appearances on Superstore, Life in Pieces, The Bridge and East Los High.

Click here to see the trailer.

Christina Milian Joins Cast of Sony Crackle’s Drama Series “The Oath”

Posted on June 28, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

Christina Milian is taking The Oath…

The 36-year-old Cuban-American singer, songwriter and actresshas been cast as a series regular on the sophomore season of The Oath, Sony Crackle’s gritty drama from executive producer Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson.

Zulay Henao will recur during Season 2, which has begun production in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Created by Joe Halpin, The Oathexplores 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 each other from enemies on the outside and from within their own ranks.

Season 2, which was ordered in April, finds the Ravens trying to free themselves from their debt to the cartel. The season will examine themes of family and redemption, giving the characters a chance to reclaim their lives as their own, pushing them to find a new path and attempting to conquer their inner demons – all while trying to protect their own lives in the process.

Milian will play Christine Parks, a second-generation Raven — her father was one of the gang’s founders — and partner of Kraley (Andrew Howard). She grew up admiring her dad and wants to follow in his footsteps.

Milian’s previous credits include Grandfathered and East Los High.

Henao will recur as Carmen Velasquez, the older sister of Ricardo and daughter of Ignacio who, after living most of her life surrounded by violence, is trying to move the family toward a legitimate business.

Henao was a regular on OWN’s Tyler Perrydrama If Loving You Is Wrong.

Cast members also returning for Season 2 include Howard, Law, Ryan Kwanten— who’s also a producer — Cory Hardict, J.J. Soria, Elisabeth Röhm, Michael Malarkey, Isaac Keys, Kim Delaney, LaToya Tonodeo and Braulio Castillo.

Mishel Prada Cast in Starz’s New Latinx Drama Series “Vida”

Posted on November 15, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Mishel Prada is livin’ la vida in Hollywood…

The Latina actress has landed a series regular in Starz new Latinx drama series Vida from showrunner Tanya Saracho (How To Get Away With Murder).

Rendon joins a cast that includes several Latino actors/actresses, including McFarland, USA’s Chelsea Rendon, East Los High’s Karen Ser Anzoategui, The Bling Ring’s Carlos Miranda, Suffering Man’s Charity’s Maria Elena Laas and Club de Cuervos’ Melissa Berrera.

Vida focuses on two Mexican-American sisters, Emma and Lyn, from the Eastside of Los Angeles who couldn’t be more different or distanced from each other. Circumstances force them to return to their old neighborhood, where they are confronted by the past and shocking truth about their mother’s identity.

Prada will portray Emma who, estranged from both her sister and her mother, reluctantly returns for her mother’s funeral and to deal with the family business. Barrera will play her sister, Lyn, a care-free party girl, who has figured out how to live a pretty worry-free life in the Bay Area.

Anzoategui will portray Eddy, a sensitive soul who is trustworthy, generous and passionate but also intimidating looking upon first glance. Rendon will play Marisol who is the expression of east side youth culture: woke, politicized, and deep in the resistance. Miranda is Johnny, a stand-up guy who runs his ailing dad’s auto shop and is engaged to his pregnant girlfriend but has a history with Lyn. Laas will portray Cruz, an enigmatic lesbian who has a checkered history with Emma.

Alonso Ruizpalacios directs the series premiere episode. Big Beach TV will produce the Latinx series.

Prada’s previous credits include Fear the Walking Dead: Passage and Tell Me How I Die.

New Trailer Released for Chavarria’s “War for the Planet of the Apes”

Posted on March 31, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Gabriel Chavarria is ready for War…

20th Century Fox has released the new trailer for its threequel War for the Planet of the Apes, starring the 27-year-old Latino actor.

Fox has been building momentum for Matt Reeves’ latest Planet of the Apes film, which hits theaters July 14.

The movie was written by Mark Bomback and Reeves. The story picks up as Caesar (Andy Serkis) and his apes are forced into a deadly conflict with an army of humans led by a ruthless, head-shaved Colonel (Woody Harrelson) — his line: “There are times when it is necessary to abandon your humanity to save humanity.”

After the apes suffer unimaginable losses, Caesar wrestles with his darker instincts and begins a quest to avenge his kind, leading to an epic battle that will determine the fate of both species and the future of the planet.

Chavarria portrays Preacher in the film.

His previous credits include the television programs East Los High, Aquarius, Gang Related and Major Crimes, as well as the film Lowriders.

Chavarria Joins the Cast of Fox’s Drama Pilot “Behind Enemy Lines”

Posted on March 2, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Gabriel Chavarria has lined up another project…

The 27-year-old Latino film and television has joined the cast of Fox’s drama pilot Behind Enemy Lines, a drama pilot loosely based on the 2001 movie.

Written by Nikki Toscano and directed by McG, Behind Enemy Lines is a military soap thriller wherein a group of U.S. soldiers find themselves trapped behind enemy lines. It’s described as a multiple-perspective narrative that closely follows our soldiers on the ground and the officers and service men and women on a nearby aircraft carrier, along with intelligence officers in D.C. as they attempt to bring our heroes home safely and under the radar.

Chavarria will play Ziggy Rodriguez, a Navy pilot, and the son of lifetime career Senior Navy Executive Officer Mateo Rodriguez. He joins a cast that includes Marg Helgenberger and B.J. Britt.

The project hails from 20th Century Fox Television — whose feature sibling was behind the movie — studio-based Temple Hill and Davis Entertainment.

Chavarria, who played Jacob Aguilar in East Los High, will next be seen in War for the Planet of the Apes, which opens in theaters this July, and the upcoming Hunter Killer. He also appeared in feature Lowriders.

Pardo to Star in FX’s “Sons of Anarchy” Spinoff Pilot “Mayans MC”

Posted on February 24, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

JD Pardo is ridin’ high…

The 36-year-old Argentine-El Salvadoran American actor has been cast as the lead in Kurt Sutter’s Sons of Anarchy spinoff pilot for FX, Mayans MC.

Pardo, a Daytime Emmy Award nominee for his appearance on East Los High, is taking the baton from Charlie Hunnam, whose Jax Teller led the mothership series.

Set in the aftermath of Jax Teller’s death at the end of SOA’s seven-season run in 2014, Mayans MC will focus on the struggles of Ezekiel “EZ” Reyes (Pardo), a prospect in the Mayan MC charter on the California/Mexico border. EZ is the gifted son of a proud Latino family, whose American dream was snuffed out by cartel violence. Now, his need for vengeance drives him toward a life he never intended and can never escape.

Pardo joins previously cast Edward James Olmos, who plays EZ’s father, John Ortiz and Clayton Cardenas.

Mayans MC was co-created by Sutter and Elgin James.

Pardo, known for his role as Jesus on Hulu’s Emmy-nominated original series East Los High, as well as the role of Jason Neville in Revolution, fielded interest from multiple pilots.

His feature credits include The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2 and Snitch.

Carmona to Star in Netflix’s Tween Series “Greenhouse Academy”

Posted on July 28, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Cinthya Carmona is bracing for some Greenhouse effets…

The Colombian actress has been cast in the Netflix original tween series Greenhouse Academy (formerly The Greenhouse).

Greenhouse Academy is a live action series set in an elite boarding school in Southern California called “The Greenhouse.” Students are divided into two rival houses that must join forces to conquer challenges when an evil plot is uncovered.

Paula Yoo is adapting with showrunner Giora Chamizer, who wrote and created the original series.

Carmona, who stars on East Los High, has been cast as a series regular alongside Jessica Amlee, Nadine Ellis, Reina Hardesty, Dallas Hart, BJ Mitchell, Ariel Mortman, Chris O’Neal, Benjamin Papac, Finn Roberts, Parker Stevenson and Grace Van Dien. Ishai Golan has been cast as a recurring cast member.

Carmona’s other credits include television appearances on Power, Rush Hour and True Justice.

Chavarria to Star in the Naval Action Thriller “Hunter Killer”

Posted on July 6, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Gabriel Chavarria is in the Navy…

The 27-year-old Honduran American actor has joined Millennium Films’ naval action thriller Hunter Killer.

Chavarria will star in a key role, joining Gerard Butler, Common and Gary Oldman in the story of an American submarine commander deployed to Russian waters in order to save the elected Russian president from a military coup.

Chavarria will portray a Navy SEAL aboard the American submarine.

Chavarria recently wrapped filming on 20th Century Fox’s War for the Planet of the Apes in which he plays one of the two human leads alongside Woody Harrelson, set for release July 14, 2017.

His credits include the Los Angeles Film Festival pic Lowriders, from Universal Pictures and Blumhouse Productions, and his Hulu series East Los High that premieres its fourth season July 15.

Donovan Marsh is directing Hunter Killer from a script by Peter Craig and Jamie Moss based on the George Wallace and Don Keith novel Firing Point

Hunter Killer is set to begin filming in London on July 25.

Prince Royce to Appear in Hulu’s Teen Drama Series “East Los High”

Posted on March 3, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Prince Royce is heading back to high school…

The 26-year-old Dominican American pop/bachata singer is joining the cast of East Los High, the Hulu series about teens growing up in East Los Angeles.

Royce will appear in East Los High’s fourth season playing the recurring role of Vincent, the coach of the Jefferson Park Dance crew.

Royce, who appears to be making moves in the acting world, is also starring in Fox’s live musical The Passion along with Trisha Yearwood, Tyler Perry and Jencarlos Canela.

As for “East Los High,” the current season is under production and will air on Hulu this summer. It also features Danielle Vega, Gabriel Chavarria, Alicia Sixtos and Vannessa Vasquez.

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