Luis Guzmán to Star in Rian Johnson’s Peacock Series “Poker Face”

Posted on September 7, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Luis Guzmán is playin’ poker…

The 66-year-old Puerto Rican actor will star in Peacock’s Poker Face, a mystery drama series starring Natasha Lyonne, hailing from Rian Johnson, his T-Street banner and MRC Television.

Guzman is among a roster of new cast additions that includes Cherry Jones, Hong Chau and Reed Birney.

Details of their roles, as well as plot details of the 10-episode anthology-like series are being kept under wraps.

In addition to Lyonne, the four join previously announced cast members Adrien Brody, Angel Desai, Audrey Corsa, Benjamin Bratt, Charles Melton, Chloe Sevigny, Clea DuVall, Danielle MacDonald, Dascha Polanco, Ellen Barkin, Jasmine Aiyana Garvin, Jameela Jamil, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Judith Light, Leslie Silva, Lil Rel Howery, Niall Cunningham, Nicholas Cirillo, Nick Nolte, Ron Perlman, S. Epatha Merkerson, Shane Paul McGhie, Simon Helberg, Stephanie Hsu, Tim Blake Nelson and Tim Meadows.

Johnson is the creator, writer and director of Poker Face and will also executive produce alongside T-Street partner Ram Bergman and the company’s television president Nena Rodrigue. Nora Zuckerman and Lilla Zuckerman (Prodigal Son, Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D) serve as showrunners and executive producers. Lyonne also will serve as an executive producer via her Animal Pictures. The company’s Maya Rudolph and Danielle Renfrew Behrens will co-executive produce.

Guzmán is best known for his roles in Steven Soderbergh’s films such as Out of Sight, The Limey, and Traffic, and in Paul Thomas Anderson’s Boogie Nights, Magnolia, and Punch-Drunk Love.

On television, he has had key roles on Showtime’s Shameless, Epix’s Godfather of Harlem and Perpetual Grace, LTD.

Rigo Sanchez Upped to Series Regular on TNT’s “Animal Kingdom”

Posted on February 14, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Rigo Sanchez’s kingdomis expanding…

The Latino actor has been promoted to series regular for the fifth season of TNT’s Animal Kingdom.

In season 4, Sanchez’s Manny was the leader of a group of career criminals. He’s shrewd, ruthless, the brains of the operation and the “parent” of the crew. He appeared in 10 episodes.

In season 5, the dynamics between Janine (Ellen Barkin), Manny (Sanchez), and Jake (Jon Beavers) are shifting as the crew comes back together and Janine decides she wants to operate out of a little town called Oceanside.

Animal Kingdomalso stars Shawn Hatosy, Ben Robson, Jake Weary, and Finn Cole.

The drama, which is based on David Michod’s 2010 Australian feature film, is produced by John Wells Productionsin association with Warner Horizon Scripted Television. Wells serves as executive producer on the series, which was developed for television by Jonathan Lisco.

Sanchez has been recurring on Station 19/Grey’s Anatomy for ABC and Briarpatch on USA. On the film side, he is one of the leads in the feature Beneath Usopposite James Tupper, which is being released on March 6.

Season five of Animal Kingdom premieres later this year on TNT.

Sohvi Rodriguez Upped to Series Regular on TNT’s “Animal Kingdom”

Posted on March 2, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

Sohvi Rodriguez is expanding her Kingdom…

The Latina actress, who heavily recurred in the third season of TNT’s Animal Kingdom, has been promoted to series regular for the upcoming fourth season of the critically praised drama series.

Rodriguez plays Mia, a tough, unpredictable young woman raised in a gang, Mia forms an alliance with J (Finn Cole) as he questions her motives at every turn.

Animal Kingdomstars Ellen Barkinas the matriarch of the Cody crime family, along with Shawn Hatosy, Ben Robson, Jake Wearyand Cole.

Season 3 began with the death of Scott Speedman’s Baz, and the Cody men finding themselves increasingly divided as they fought for control and independence.

Animal Kingdomwas developed for television by Jonathan Lisco and inspired by the award-winning Australian feature film written & directed by David Michôdand produced by Liz Watts, who also serve as executive producers on the series.

New Trailer Released for Ramirez’s Roberto Duran Biopic “Hands of Stone”

Posted on July 24, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Edgar Ramirez’s gloves are on…

The Weinstein Company has released its latest trailer for Hands of Stone, the Roberto Duran boxing biopic starring the 39-year-old Venezuelan actor and Robert De Niro.

Duran became a hero in his native Panama as he rose through the ranks behind trainer Ray Arcel (De Niro), winning titles in four different weight classes. But it was his three epic bouts with Leonard that mattered most, the first when Duran beat Leonard to steal his welterweight belt in June 1980, and of course the second only five months later, when Duran famously told the referee “No mas” in the eighth round as Leonard was running circles around him. He also lost a close decision in a third fight in 1989. Duran certainly went on to redeem himself, though, and ended his career with 103 wins and securing his place on experts’ lists of the best fighters of all time.

Usher co-stars as Duran’s rival Sugar Ray Leonard, and Ellen Barkin, Ruben Blades and Ana de Armas co-star.

Hands of Stone debuts on August 26.

TNT Gives Alonso’s “Animal Kingdom” Early Second Season Renewal

Posted on July 7, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Daniella Alonso’s kingdom isn’t going anywhere…

TNT has renewed Animal Kingdom, starring the 37-year-old Puerto Rican and Peruvian-American actress, for a second season.

The series, which is produced by John Wells Productions in association with Warner Horizon Television, received an early 10-episode renewal for premiere in 2017.

Animal Kingdom is inspired by the feature film of the same name written and directed by David Michôd.

“Animal Kingdom has signaled the new tone for TNT dramas and is moving the network in the direction we hoped it would,” said Sarah Aubrey, executive vice president of original programming for TNT. “I’m confident that our strategy of working with high-caliber talent and then getting out of their way will continue to pay off.”

In addition to Alonso, Animal Kingdom, which airs at 9:00 pm ET on Tuesdays, also stars Emmy and Tony winner Ellen Barkin, Scott Speedman, Shawn Hatosy, Ben Robson, Jake Weary, Finn Cole and Molly Gordon.

TNT Expanding the Premiere Episode of Alonso’s “Animal Kingdom”

Posted on May 13, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Daniella Alonso’s kingdom is launching larger than originally planned…

TNT is expanding the premiere episode of its new drama series Animal Kingdom, starring the 37-year-old Puerto Rican and Peruvian-American actress, to two hours and moving the launch to June 14 at 9:00 pm ET. It was previously set for June 7.

Animal Kingdom centers on 17-year-old Joshua “J” Cody, who moves in with his freewheeling relatives in their Southern California beach town after his mother dies of a heroin overdose. Headed by boot-tough matriarch Janine “Smurf” Cody and her right-hand Baz , who runs the business and calls the shots, the clan also consists of Pope, the oldest and most dangerous of the Cody boys; Craig, the tough and fearless middle son; and Deran, the troubled, suspicious “baby” of the family.

In addition to Alonso, the series stars Ellen Barkin, Scott Speedman, Shawn Hatosy, Ben Robson, Jake Weary, Finn Cole and Molly Gordon.

Ramirez’s “Hands of Stone” Screening at This Year’s Cannes Film Festival

Posted on May 3, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Edgar Ramirez will be throwing punches at this year’s Cannes Film Festival…

The 39-year-old Venezuelan actor’s latest film, Hands of Stone, will have a special screening at the film festival on Monday, May 16 in homage to fellow star Robert De Niro who will be in attendance.

“I’m excited to be coming back to Cannes especially with this movie, Hands Of Stone, that I’m so proud of,” said De Niro. “This movie is uplifting, triumphant and a good time for audiences, so I’m looking forward to seeing my friends from across the world of cinema in joining us for this fun event.”

The rags-to-riches boxing drama by Venezuelan director Jonathan Jakubowicz tells the story of iconinc Panamanian brawler Roberto Duràn (Ramirez) and manager and trainer Ray Arcel (De Niro).

Duran made his professional debut in 1968 as a 16-year‐old and retired in 2002 at the age of 50. He defeated nemesis Sugar Ray Leonard in June 1980, capturing the WBC welterweight title. However, in the rematch that November, Duran shocked the world. He was being outclassed and pummeled by Leonard when he said “No mas,” turned his back on his opponent and quit in the ring. During the course of his career he saw 103 victories in 119 fights.

The film’s title comes from Duran’s nickname, Los Manos a Piedra. Usher plays Leonard. Ellen Barkin, Ruben Blades and Ana de Armas also star.

The Weinstein Company acquired Hands of Stone at Cannes last year after an all-nighter and will release the film domestically on August 26.

Guerra Lands Role on TNT’s Drama Series “Animal Kingdom”

Posted on April 27, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

The Kingdom (has) come for Carolina Guerra…

The 29-year-old Colombian model, actress and television presenter has booked a recurring role on TNT’s upcoming drama series Animal Kingdom.

The series centers on 17-year-old Joshua “J” Cody (Finn Cole), who moves in with his wild, freewheeling grandmother (Ellen Barkin) and his uncles in their Southern California beach town after his mother overdoses. He is pulled into their life of indulgence and excess and soon discovers that it’s all being funded by the bank robberies they commit.

Guerra will play Lucy, an earthy, sexy woman, who is Baz’s sometime lover. She lives with her son in Mexico, and is the sister of Marco, a mid-level drug trafficker who has a history with the Codys.

Guerra recently starred in indie feature Oro y Polvo and had a co-starring role on the Starz series Da Vinci’s Demons.

Ochoa Lands Recurring Role on TNT’s “Animal Kingdom”

Posted on April 2, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Christina Ochoa is moving to a new kingdom…

The 31-year-old Spanish actress has landed a recurring role on TNT’s upcoming drama series Animal Kingdom.

Hailing from John Wells Prods. in association with Warner Horizon Television, the pilot centers on 17-year-old Joshua “J” Cody (Finn Cole), who moves in with his wild, freewheeling grandmother (Ellen Barkin) and uncles in their Southern California beach town after his mother ODs. He is pulled into their life of indulgence and excess and soon discovers that it’s all being funded by the bank robberies they commit.

Ochoa will portray Renn Randall, a sexy, irreverent surfer who is Craig’s (Ben Robson) lover and drug connection.

Ochoa recurred on El Rey Network’s Matador. Her other credits include guest spots on The Neighbors, Modern Family and I Hate My Teenage Daughter.

Alonso to Star in TNT’s Drama Pilot “Animal Kingdom”

Posted on August 24, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Daniella Alonso is expanding her kingdom…

The 36-year-old Puerto Rican and Peruvian-American actress has landed a series regular role opposite Scott Speedman in TNT’s drama pilot Animal Kingdom.

The pilot centers on 17-year-old Joshua “J” Cody (Finn Cole), who moves in with his wild, freewheeling grandmother (Ellen Barkin) and uncles in their Southern California beach town after his mother overdoses.

He is pulled into their life of indulgence and excess and soon discovers that it’s all being funded by the bank robberies they commit.

Alonso, who starred on NBC’s sci-fi series Revolution, will portray Catherine, Baz’s (Speedman) de facto wife, and the mother of their 3-year- old daughter, Lena.

She most recently starred on the big screen opposite Kevin James in Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2.

The As the World Turns alum’s television credits include The Night Shift, Covert Affairs and Private Practice.

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