Maria Pedraza to Star Opposite Samuel L. Jackson in the Thriller “Just Play Dead”

Posted on May 13, 2025 by Tom Castaneda

Maria Pedraza is playing dead…

The 29-year-old Spanish actress, dancer and model will star in the thriller Just Play Dead.

Pedraza, who gained international recognition for her roles in the series Money Heist and Elite, will star opposite Samuel L. Jackson and Eva Green in the film.

Just Play Dead will be directed by Gary Fleder and is written by Dan Gordon.

The synopsis reads: “When wealthy criminal mastermind Jack Wolfe (Samuel L. Jackson) is cornered by the Feds, he plans to fake his own death and claim the $30 million life insurance payout with his “grieving” wife Nora (Eva Green), while framing her surfer lover Chad for his murder. But Nora is cooking up a scheme of her own: kill Jack for real, frame Chad and keep the fortune for herself. As lies unravel, Nora and Jack scramble to outsmart one another, leaving one burning question: who will come out on top in this twisted game of life and death?”

The film is a European co-production spearheaded by Head Gear Films’ Phil Hunt who produces alongside Gemstone Films’ Valentin Dimitrov, Sagiv Diamant, Moshe Diamant and Gaby Whyte Hart, who also serves as the casting director.

Production is set to begin this fall in the Canary Islands.

“Working with such incredible talents as Samuel L. Jackson and Eva Green is truly an honor. Eva Green will deliver a captivating performance as the cunning and seductive wife to Samuel L. Jackson’s powerful kingpin in this intoxicating thriller,” said Highland Film Group CEO Arianne Fraser.

“Dan Gordon has crafted a complex tale of lies, deceit and betrayal and Gary Fleder is the ideal director to bring this enticing and suspenseful project to life, which is already attracting buyers worldwide,” added Highland Film Group COO Delphine Perrier.

“I’ve always been drawn to stories that defy categorization, that live somewhere between genres and challenge audiences to stay on their toes. With Just Play Dead, written by the immensely talented Dan Gordon, and starring Samuel L. Jackson and Eva Green, I have the chance to return to that same rich, unpredictable territory. This film is provocative, sexy, and original—a perfect mix of clever storytelling and thrilling twists,” commented director Gary Fleder.

Pedraza appears in the music video for the 2023 Myke Towers song, “Lala“.

Manu Ríos to Star in the Horror Film “Rapture”

Posted on May 2, 2025 by Tom Castaneda

Manu Ríos is awating the rapture…

The 26-year-old Spanish actor and singer will star in the buzzy horror Rapture, which HanWay Films will be launching for the Cannes market.

Rios, best known for his work in Elite, will star opposite Will Poulter and Kit Connor in the film.

An intriguing premise, the film is set in Medieval England in the year 1348.

The story alights on Lansley Abbey, a remote stone monastery in Yorkshire, which houses ten monks bound by a life of strict routine and devotion. Their fragile peace is disrupted by the arrival of a messenger – a man with haunting news from the outside world who rapidly shows symptoms of a mystery illness. A virulent plague is spreading through the land: marked initially by a hemorrhagic fever, it turns its victims into “revenants” — restless, undead beings. As the contagion closes in, Lansley Abbey becomes a battleground: desperate outsiders beg for refuge while the infected threaten to overrun its walls. The monks are torn apart by a moral rift — between those who believe they must care for the sick and those who want to protect the centuries of knowledge safe-guarded by the monastery. As death is fully unleashed, so too is the brothers’ capacity for extraordinary acts of altruism and ruthless betrayal, forcing them to confront the ultimate question: what does it mean to be human?

The film marks the debut feature for playwright and director Jordan Tannahill.

Filming is due to begin later this year in Hungary. Producers are Elevation Pictures, 2AM and Brookstreet Pictures. Eli Arenson is attached as director of photography.

Ríos also appeared in Pedro Almodovar’s Strange Way Of Life.

Netflix Releases Trailer for Eighth & Final Season of “Elite,” Starring Omar Ayuso

Posted on July 4, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Omar Ayuso is returning to the classroom…

Netflix has released the trailer for the eighth and final season of its longest-running Spanish scripted series Elite, starring the 26-year-old Spanish actor.

Premiering on July 26, the new season will see a death roil the fictional high school.

The teen drama has been airing since 2018 and revolves around the relationships among three working-class students enrolled at the elite school through a scholarship program and their wealthy classmates.

In Season 8, the arrival of siblings Emilia and Héctor Krawietz, leaders of Las Encinas alumni association, shake the school foundations. Influential, powerful, corrupt and corrupters, the Krawietz will scatter chaos wherever they go and will destroy the lives of those who fall prey to them. Only Omar will be able to face them and will be willing to do anything to see them fall, because in the end, they represent everything that has always been wrong in Las Encinas.

Created by Carlos Montero and Jaime Vaca, Season 8 stars Ayuso, André Lamoglia, Valentina Zenere, Mirela Balić, Gleb Abrosimov, Fernando Líndez, Nadia Al Saidi, Ander Puig, Carmen Arrufat, Mina el Hammani, Iván Mendes, Maribel Verdú and newcomers Ane Rot, Nuno Gallego, Alexandra Pino and Mario Ermito, among others.

Montero confirmed in October 2023 that Season 8 would the last.

“We ended on a high note,” said Montero. “Jaime [Vaca, co-showrunner for season 7], Netflix and I thought it was time to end it. I say this with great regret because it’s been several incredible years in which I’ve met wonderful actors, we’ve worked with all the directors we wanted to work with and we’ve had the luxury of having Maribel these last two seasons. Élite changed everyone’s life, there are actors who started with us and it has been their springboard to be now world stars, it is happening to this cast and it is a pride to have contributed to that and to know that they have seen us all over the world and liked it.”

Netflix Renews Drama Series “Elite,” Starring Manu Ríos, for Eighth Season

Posted on July 19, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Manu Ríos is heading back to private school…

Netflix’s longest-running Spanish scripted series Elite, starring the 24-year-old Spanish actor, singer and model, has been renewed for an eighth season.

Rios, who portrays Patrick, joined the series, in Season 4.

Elite‘s latest run will feature new faces including Ane Rot and Nuno Gallego, while Mina el Hammani, who recurred in the first three seasons, reprises the role of Nadia.

Created by Carlos Montero and Jaime Vaca, Elite has been airing since 2018 and is set in a fictional high school. The teen drama revolves around the relationships among three working-class students enrolled at the elite school through a scholarship program and their wealthy classmates.

In addition to Rios, other cast include Ander Puig, Carmen Arrufat, Álvaro de Juana, Ana Bokesa, Álex Pastrana, André Lamoglia, Valentina Zenere, Carla Díaz, Martina Cariddi and Adam Nourou.

Mirela Balic, Fernando Líndez, Gleb Abrosimov, Ivan Mendes, Alejandro Albarracin and Maribel Verdu also joined the cast for the previous season.

Zeta Studios is producer.

Netflix Releases Teaser Trailer for Season 7 of Ander Puig’s “Elite”

Posted on June 17, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Ander Puig is returning to his Elite group in the fall…

Netflix has announced Season 7 of its popular Spanish YA drama series Elite, starring the 21-year-old Spanish actor, will premiere on October 20.

The streamer has also unveiled a teaser trailer (with subtitles) for the upcoming season.

Netflix promises Season 7 will be an epic journey for the students of Las Encinas.

In season 6, after another student’s death, Las Encinas entered a new school year determined to cover up for its scandalous past. But conflicts continued as racism, sexism, domestic abuse and homophobia run rampant in the halls of the prestigious institution. If those who run the school don’t take action to root out these issues, the students are going to do it for them.

In addition to Puig, the Season 6 cast includes Carmen Arrufat, Álvaro de Juana, Ana Bokesa, Álex Pastrana, André Lamoglia, Valentina Zenere, Carla Díaz, Martina Cariddi, Adam Nourou and Manu Ríos.

Mirela Balic, Fernando Líndez, Gleb Abrosimov, Ivan Mendes, Alejandro Albarracin and Maribel Verdu will join the cast in the upcoming season.

Nadia Al Saidi, who plays Sonia in season 6 and Omar Ayuso, who has played Omar in seasons 1-5 will also reprise their roles in the new episodes.

Created by Carlos Montero and Jaime Vaca, Season 7 will be directed by Lino Escalera, Menna Fité, Roger Gual and Ana Vázquez.

Pepe Barroso to Star in Gladiator Drama “Those About to Die”

Posted on March 20, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Pepe Barroso is preparing for battle …

The 26-year-old Spanish actor has been cast in Peacock’s epic gladiator drama Those About to Die, as principal photography on the Roland Emmerich series kicked off at Rome’s historic Cinecittà Studios.

Barroso, who recently starred in Gran Turismo, joins a list of new cast additions that includes Iwan Rheon, Liraz Charhi, Johannes Haukur Johannesson, Rupert Penry-Jones, Eneko Sagardoy, Gonçalo Almeida, Kyshan Wilson and Alicia Edogamhe.

Inspired by Daniel Mannix’s nonfiction book, Those About to Die is billed as an epic drama set in the complex and corrupt world of ancient Rome’s spectacle-driven gladiatorial competition.

AGC Television is the studio, with additional financing provided by High End Productions and with local production services provided by Italy’s Wildside Productions.

Anthony Hopkins will play Vespasian, the Emperor of Rome and head of the Flavian bloodline, and the likes of Sara Martins and Dimitri Leonidas have already been cast for key roles.

Sagardoy (Giant, Elite), Barroso (45 rpm) and Almeida (Esperança) play the Corsi brothers.

Emmerich is directing alongside Marco Kreuzpaintner, with Robert Rodat writing.

Manu Rios Signs with William Morris Endeavor (WME)

Posted on March 16, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Manu Rios has new representation…

The 24-year-old Spanish actor and singer, best known for his starring role on Netflix’s popular Spanish YA series Elite, has signed with William Morris Endeavor (WME) for representation.

Rios portrays Patrick Blanco on the international hit series, which is heading into its seventh season on the streamer.

Rios will next be seen starring alongside Ethan Hawke and Pedro Pascal in the upcoming short film Strange Way of Life from Oscar-winning director Pedro Almodóvar. The short is set to premiere at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. The story follows the reunion of an outlaw and a sheriff after 25 years apart, and the romance that followed them there.

Rios is also set to star in the upcoming Netflix limited series El Silencio from Aitor Gabilondo.

He was previously seen in the limited series La Edad de la Ira for Atresmedia.

Danna Paola Signs Exclusive Publishing Deal with Warner Chappell Music Mexico

Posted on December 3, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Danna Paola has locked in a new partner…

The 27-year-old Mexican singer-songwriter, actress and model has signed an exclusive go-forward and full catalog publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music Mexico.

“I’ve been waiting for a music partner like this for a while now and couldn’t be happier,” the “XT4S1S” singer said in a statement. “As a songwriter, I’m glad to be part of a company that supports and respects their artists’ creativity, and I’m pretty sure we’re going to create magic together!”

Since releasing her album K.O. in 2021 — which peaked at No. 9 on Billboard’s Latin Pop Albums chart dated Jan. 30, 2021 — she has released a handful of singles including her latest “XT4S1S,” a euphoric and liberating track.

Her 2020 project, SIE7E+, also entered the charts. It peaked at No. 16 on that same tally.

About the deal, Carlos Ruíz, Warner Chappell Music Mexico managing director, added: “Danna is an artist in every sense of the word. Her talent, professionalism, and dedication are the basis of her solid career and why she has become an icon of her generation — not only in Mexico but in many parts of the world. She provokes a unique connection with her fans through her music, and we are delighted that she has entrusted us to accompany her in all the successes that are to come.”

With more than 10 million listeners on Spotify and collaborations with artists like Sebastián Yatra, David Bisbal, Mau y Ricky, among others, Paola — who also starred in Netflix’s popular series Élite — is currently on the XT4S1S Tour in Mexico.

Prime Video Orders Second Season of Marta Hazas’ Hit “Dias Mejores”

Posted on October 2, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Marta Hazas’ better days continue…

Prime Video has ordered a second season of the hit Spanish series Dias Mejores, starring the 44-year-old Spanish actress, after the success of its first season.

Created by Cristóbal Garrido and Adolfo Valor, the new season will continue to follow the stories of its lead characters Sara (Hazas), Pardo (Erick Elías), Graci (Alba Planas), Luis (Francesc Orella) and Dr. Laforet (Blanca Portillo).

The co-production between ViacomCBS International Studios (VIS) and Madrid-based Zeta Studios, producers of Netflix hit, Elite, will stream exclusively on Prime Video in Spain.

The new season just started shooting and includes an additional robust cast led by Marta Aledo as Emi, Sara’s sister; Carol Rovira as Claudia, the teacher of Pardo’s children, and Sonia Almarcha as Maite, the mother of Graci’s late boyfriend.

In Mejores Dias, creators-showrunners Valor and Garrido explore the challenges of getting over the loss of a loved one and of being a single parent, among other issues. While each character is coping with different personal problems, they all see the same therapist, Dr. Laforet.

Season 2 sees Sara battling a new blow in her life and the arrival of her sister Emi will not make things any easier. Meanwhile, Pardo is wary of starting a new relationship and how that might impact his family. Single mom Graci will have to deal with her mother-in-law who will bring back painful memories of the past. Luis (Francesc Orella) sees his plans to spend more time with family upended by unexpected news.

The series will again be directed by Alejo Flah along with Mar Olid, Violeta Zalama and Adolfo Valor.

Season 2 is penned by the same writers of the first season: Daniel Martín Serrano, Sara Alquezar and Alba Carballal.

Jorge Lopez to Star in AppleTV+’s Bilingual Thriller Series “Now and Then”

Posted on June 13, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Jorge Lopez is preparing for a thriller of a project…

The 29-year-old Chilean actor has been cast in AppleTV+’s bilingual thriller series Now and Then.

Lopez has been added to a list of cast newcomers that includes Alicia Jaziz, Dario Yazbek Bernal, Alicia Sanz, Jack Duarte and Miranda de la Serna.

The Spanish and English series hails from Bambú Producciones and creators Ramón Campos, Teresa Fernández-Valdés and Gema R. Neira, the team behind the Spanish series Velvet, Cable Girls and Gran Hotel. Gideon Raff will executive produce and direct the first two episodes.

Set in Miami, Now and Then explores the differences between youthful aspirations and the reality of adulthood, when the lives of a group of college best friends are forever changed after a celebratory weekend ends up with one of them dead. Now, 20 years later, the remaining five are reluctantly reunited by a threat that puts their seemingly perfect worlds at risk.

Lopez joins as as Alejandro, a dedicated and athletic young man with a bright future. He’s the glue that holds his group of friends together and always does what is expected without thinking of his own happiness.

Jaziz will appear as Young Ana, a younger version of Ana (Marina de Tavira), a smart and ambitious woman who put her political career on hold to support her husband’s.

Yazbek Bernal plays Young Pedro, a younger version of Pedro (José María Yazpik), a complex politician married to Ana, he feels entangled in a life that doesn’t belong to him.

Sanz will take on Young Sofia, a younger version of Sofia (Maribel Verdú), a strong self-made lawyer who’s life took an unexpected turn 20 years ago and is now hiding too many secrets.

Duarte appears as Young Marcos, a younger version of Marcos (Manolo Cardona), a passionate surgeon who sacrificed his dreams for his family and friends.

de la Serna plays Young Daniela, a younger version of Daniela (Soledad Villamil), an introspective artist who constantly struggles to overcome a traumatic event from her past.

Campos and Fernández-Valdés will serve as showrunners, and the series will be written by Neira and Campos with their team. Bambú Producciones will produce the series for Apple TV+.

Lopez is best known for his first major role in the the Disney Channel Latin American telenovela Soy Luna. He also played Valerio in the Netflix series Elite.

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