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.

Gina Gallego to Star in Showtime’s Drama Pilot “The President is Missing”

Posted on February 13, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Gina Gallegois feeling presidential…

The 64-year-old Mexican American actress has been cast as a series regular opposite David Oyelowo in The President is Missing, Showtime’s drama series adaptation of the novel by President Bill Clinton and James Patterson.

Hailing from Christopher McQuarrieand Anthony Peckham, The President is Missing centers on a powerless and politically aimless vice president (Oyelowo) who unexpectedly becomes president halfway into his administration’s first term, despite his every wish to the contrary. He walks right into a secret, world-threatening crisis, both inside and outside the White House. Attacked by friends and enemies alike, with scandal and conspiracy swirling around him, he is confronted with a terrible choice: keep his head down, toe the party line and survive, or act on his stubborn, late-developing conscience and take a stand.

Gallego will play Mrs. Aceves, Martin’s executive assistant, a position of influence. She is sweet but also an extremely patient adversary.

The project is based on the book by Clinton and Patterson, which was the No. 1 novel of 2018 and has sold more than 2.3 million copies in North America alone.

Peckham is writing the adaptation.

Gallego’s television credits include Shooter, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, NCIS, The Middle, Shameless and Grey’s Anatomy,among others.

Her film work includes Erin Brockovich, Beverly Hills Chihuahua, Anger Management and Mr. Deeds.

Netflix Renews Shakira Barrera’s Female Wrestling Dramedy “Glow” for Fourth & Final Season

Posted on September 22, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

Shakira Barrera will be getting her last fight…

Netflix has picked up its female wrestling dramedy GLOW, starring the Nicaraguan American actress, for a fourth and final season.

The series, which stars Alison Brie, Betty Gilpin and Marc Maron, is set to end after the next season. This is in line with a number of Netflix originals that end after three or four seasons.

GLOW, which has earned 15 Emmy nominations and three wins during its run, was inspired by the short-lived but beloved 1980s show. It tells the fictional story of Ruth Wilder (Brie), an out-of-work, struggling actress in 1980s Los Angeles who finds one last chance for stardom when sheâ€™s thrust into the glitter and spandex world of womenâ€™s pro wrestling.

In addition to working with 12 Hollywood misfits, Ruth also has to compete with Debbie Eagan (Gilpin) a former soap actress who left the business to have a baby, only to be sucked back into work when her picture-perfect life is not what it seems. And at the wheel is Sam Sylvia (Maron), a washed-up, B-movie director who now must lead this group of women on the journey to wrestling stardom.

Season 3 followed the ladies of GLOW as they took the Vegas strip by storm. Now headliners at the Fan-Tan Hotel and Casino, the women quickly realize that Sin City is much more grind than glitter. Ever the team cheerleader, Ruthâ€™s passion for the show begins to take a backseat to her increasingly complicated personal life. Debbie is making headway as a producer but continues to be consumed with guilt over the distance between her and her son. As their residency wears on, the lines blur between performance and reality, and the cast finds itself struggling with identities both in and out of the ring.

Barrera has portrayed Yolanda “Junkchain” Rivas on the series since Season Two.

Creators Liz Flahive and Carly Mensch will return as showrunners and writers and will executive produce alongside Jenji Kohan, Tara Herrmann and Mark Burley.

The third season premiered last month, and the fourth season is expected in 2020.

Barreraâ€™s previous credits include appearances on Greyâ€™s Anatomy, Rosewood, East Los High, Faking It and Queen of the South.

Susan Santiago to Star in The CW’s Drama Pilot “Glamorous”

Posted on March 13, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

Susan Santiago is livin’ theglamorouslife…

The Spanish actress will star opposite Peyton List, Brooke Shields and Ben J. Pierce in The CW’s drama pilot Glamorous.

The project hailsfrom Damon Wayans Jr. and his Two Shakes Entertainment, writer Jordon Nardinoand CBS Television Studios.

Written by Nardino and directed by Eva Longoriain her pilot-directing debut, Glamorous centers on Marco (Pierce), a gender-nonconforming recent high school graduate who lands the gig of a lifetime interning at a cosmetics company whose products he panned on YouTube.

Santiago will portray Julia, a no-nonsense lawyer who has raised her son in a loving and supportive environment where he’s always been held to the highest of standards. As her son leaves the nest for the first time, Julia fights to keep him on the ambitious (if colorless) path in life she is absolutely certain is best for him

List will play AlyssaSays, an over-the-top YouTubepersonality with a competitive edge who finds an unexpected home at the same cosmetics firm as Marco.

Santiago was recently seen in the critically praised The Hate U Give and is best known for her guest-starring and recurring appearances on Grey’s Anatomy, Longmire, Scandal, How to Get Away With Murder and Criminal Minds. Her producing debut, Illegal, in which she also stars, will premiere in competition at the upcoming Pasadena Film Festival.

NBC Renews America Ferrera’s Comedy Series “Superstore” for Fifth Season

Posted on March 5, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

There’s more in (super)storefor America Ferrera…

NBC has ordered a fifth season of its critically acclaimed comedy series Superstore, starring the 34-year-old Honduran American actress.

The series has maintained solid ratings in its current season to date. In Live+7, Superstore is averaging a 1.4 rating in adults 18-49 and 4.4 million viewers overall its Thursday 8-8:30 pm timeslot against rival programming as The Big Bang Theory, Grey’s Anatomy and NFL Thursday Night Football.

In delayed viewing, Superstore’s next-day 0.85 rating in adults 18-49 increases by 154% to 2.16 rating after seven days of linear and digital viewership.

The series also is a strong digital performer, deriving 44% of its live plus seven day plus digital rating in adults 18-49 from non-linear sources, the second biggest percentage on the NBC schedule behind only Brooklyn Nine-Nine.

“Week after week Justin Spitzer, our amazing writers, and cast and crew masterfully deliver a comedy that not only makes us laugh but speaks to the larger issues of the day,” said Lisa Katzand Tracey Pakosta, Co-Presidents of Scripted Programming, NBC Entertainment.

Created and written by Justin Spitzer, Superstore centers around Amy (Ferrera), the store’s most stalwart employee as well as the glue holding the place together. Jonah (Ben Feldman), who is often the target of his colleagues ribbing, is joined on the floor with his fellow associates, including sardonic Garrett (Colton Dunn), the ambitious Mateo (Nico Santos) and sweet teenager and new mom Cheyenne (Nichole Bloom).

Superstore is produced by Universal Television in association with the Spitzer Holding Company and The District.

Superstore returns to the NBC lineup for the remainder of its fourth season at 8:00 pm on Thursday, March 7.

ABC Renews Sofia Vergara’s “Modern Family” for 11th and Final Season

Posted on February 5, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

Sofia Vergara’s extending her Family time…

ABC has picked up its flagship comedy series Modern Family, starring the 46-year-old Colombian actress, for an eleventh and final season.

The Emmy-winning family comedy will reportedly consist of at least 18 episodes, and could expand to 22 episodes, according to Deadline.com/

Modern Family’s renewal was all but assured when the original adult cast, stars Ed O’Neill, Julie Bowen, Ty Burrell, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Eric Stonestreet and Vergara, agreed to new deals in December with producing studio 20th Century Fox Televisionto return.

Since then, the studio also has signed co-creators/executive producers Steve Levitanand Christopher Lloydfor another season, and also has made new deals with the original child actors — now all young adults — Sarah Hyland, Ariel Winter, Nolan Gould and Rico Rodriguez.

Ten seasons in, Modern Family remains ABC’s top rated comedy (2.1 adults 18-49 rating in Live+3) and second highest rated series on the network only behind Grey’s Anatomy (tied with The Good Doctor, The Bachelorand The Conners).

“Chris and Steve have created one of the most seminal and iconic comedies in television history,” said Karey Burke, president, ABC Entertainment. “In its final season, there will be more milestone events that anyone who has been a fan of the series won’t want to miss.”

A five-time Emmy winner for Outstanding Comedy Series, Modern Family stars O’Neill as Jay Pritchett, Bowen as Claire Dunphy, Burrell as Phil Dunphy, Vergara as Gloria Pritchett, Tyler Ferguson as Mitchell Pritchett, Stonestreet as Cameron Tucker, Hyland as Haley Dunphy, Gould as Luke Dunphy, Winter as Alex Dunphy, Rodriguez as Manny Delgado, Aubrey Anderson-Emmonsas Lily Tucker-Pritchett and Jeremy Maguireas Joe Pritchett.

“For 10 years, our characters have bravely faced turning points in life and moved through them to great personal enrichment; we have chosen a different path by doing one more season of Modern Family,” said Lloyd.

Added Levitan, “Even after 10 years together, we realized there are still some things our writers don’t yet know about each other’s sex lives.”

The CW to Premiere Jeanine Mason’s “Roswell, New Mexico” in January

Posted on November 13, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

Jeanine Mason is headed to the Land of Enchantment in January…

The CW will the premiere its new drama series Roswell, New Mexico, starring the Cuban American actress and dancer, onTuesday, January 15 at 9:00 pm ET behind Flash.

The series, the second television adaptation of the Roswell High book series by Melinda Metz, centers on Liz Ortecho (Mason), a jaded biomedical researcher and the daughter of undocumented immigrants who discovers her teenage crush is an alien who has kept his unearthly abilities hidden his entire life. She protects his secret as the two reconnect, but when a violent attack points to a greater alien presence on Earth, the politics of fear and hatred threaten to expose him.

The series also stars Nathan Parsons, Lily Cowles, Michael Vlamis, Tyler Blackburnand Michael Trevino.

Mason, the first Cuban American to win So You Think You Can Dance, previously appeared on television in Grey’s Anatomy, Bunheads, and Daytime Divas.

Paola Andino to Star in the Addiction Drama “Sno Babies”

Posted on October 25, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

Paola Andino is battling addiction in her latest project…

The 20-year-old Puerto Rican actress has landed a role inthe Bridget Smith-directed independent drama Sno Babies, which goes into production in early November in Philadelphia.

Inspired by true events, Sno Babies tells the story of 16 year-old best friends Kristen McKusker and Hannah Reid (Andino) who become addicted to heroin. Kristin is an honor student from a good Catholic family who finds her world upside down after becoming pregnant while addicted to heroin. Hannah is an edgy, vixen and an only child from a family of divorce who finds herself battling for her life while also battling her struggles with heroin.

“After a long casting process, we are thrilled to have found these two crazy talented, beautiful, passionate actresses to tell this very powerful story,” said Smith in a statement.

Sno Babies is written and produced by Michael Walsh.

Andino’s credits include Nickelodeon’s Every Witch Way and Queen of the South. Her other credits include appearances on Grey’s Anatomyand WITS Academy.

Gloria Garayua to Star in the Psychological Thriller Drama Series “Reckoning”

Posted on July 11, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a day of Reckoning for Gloria Garayua…

The 39-year-old Puerto Rican actress has been in cast in the psychological thriller Reckoning, a 10-episode straight-to-series drama from David Hubbard, veteran showrunner David Eick and Sony Pictures Television Networks.

Garayua joins a cast that includes Aden Young, Sam Trammell, Simone Kessell, Laura Gordon, Mitzi Ruhlmann, Milly Alcock, Ed Oxenbould, Finn Little, Anthony Phelan and Diana Glenn.

Produced by Playmaker, Reckoning began production this week in Sydney for premiere next year on SPTN’s international channels, including AXN, in select territories in Europe and Latin America.

Set in California, the 10-episode series is being filmed and wholly produced and post-produced in Australia. Sony Pictures Television Distribution will handle worldwide sales.

Written by Hubbard, who serves as showrunner with Eick, Reckoning explores the darkest corners of the human psyche through the eyes of two fathers, one of whom is a serial killer. Mike (Young) and Leo (Trammell) try to do what’s best for the people they love and the families they protect. But as both struggle to suppress their inner demons, the murder of a local teenager sets them on a course of mutual destruction that will emanate through every facet of their quiet, suburban community.

“Aden and Sam and the fantastic ensemble cast are crushing it in rehearsals,” said Marie Jacobson, EVP Programming and Production at Sony Pictures Television Networks. “We’re thrilled that production has started in beautiful Sydney.”

Reckoning is part of Sony Pictures Television Networks’ ramped up efforts in the original production arena. It follows the success of SPTN’s Absentia, a dramatic thriller starring Stana Katic and Patrick Heusinger, which originally was commissioned for AXN in 2017 and now is streaming on Amazon Prime Video in the U.S. and other territories.

Garayua’s previous credits include Six Feet Under, Weeds,The Shield,Grey’s Anatomy, Cougar Town and How to Get Away with Murder.

ABC Renews Karla Souza’s “How to Get Away With Murder” for a Fifth Season

Posted on May 12, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

Karla Souza is still getting away with murder…

ABC has given a Season 5 pickup to its legal thriller drama How to Get Away With Murder, starring the 32-year-old actress.

The renewal of the Shondaland drama was fully expected.

HTGAWM is the second longest-running Shondaland series, and it’s well received, earning lead star Viola Davis top awards including an Emmy.

Additionally, while a modest Live+Same Day performer (average 0.94 rating in the 18-49 demographic and 3.70 million viewers in Season 4, down by 28% and by 20%, respectively, compared to Season 3), it continues to be a big DVR gainer. Its Live+7 tally for Season 4 was 6.4 million viewers and a 2.0 in 18-49, ranking as ABC’s third highest-rated drama in the demo behind Grey’s Anatomy and The Good Doctor.

Starring Davis, Souza, Billy Brown, Jack Falahee, Aja Naomi King, Matt McGorry, Conrad Ricamora, Charlie Weber and Liza Weil, How To Get Away With Murder revolves around the world of Middleton University Professor Annalise Keating (Davis). Murder, deception, fear and guilt bind her to her longtime associates and students. As the group struggles to move on following the death of one of their own, their past continues to haunt them.

How To Get Away With Murder is created and executive produced by Pete Nowalk, who also serves as showrunner.

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