Nadine Velazquez to Star in ABC’s Pilot “Queens”

Posted on March 9, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Nadine Velazquez is hoping to become television royalty…

The 42-year-old Puerto Rican actress will star opposite Brandy, Eve and Naturi Naughton in ABC’s hour-long pilot Queens, from Zahir McGhee, Sabrina Wind and ABC Signature.

In Queens, written by McGhee and directed by Tim Story, four estranged and out-of-touch women in their 40s — Naomi (Brandy), Jill (Naughton), Brianna (Eve) and Valeria (Velazquez) — reunite for a chance to recapture their fame and regain the swagger they had as the Nasty Bitches – their ’90s group that made them legends in the hip-hop world.

Velazquez plays Valeria, aka Butter Pecan. Better known in the 90s as Puerto Rican rapper, Butter Pecan, Valeria is the fourth member of the hip-hop group, the Nasty Bitches. Valeria wasn’t an original member, added by the groups’ manager, Eric, for her effortless star quality. It worked. The ladies catapulted into superstardom with a number-one record and iconic video. Valeria quickly became the face of the group, ruffling the other members’ feathers along the way. But she could care less. She’s not here for friends, she’s here to win. Valeria is an ambitious and ruthless hustler with cunning charm born out of a difficult childhood. When we catch up with her twenty years later, she’s the only member of the group still in the limelight. Valeria hosts The Shade — America’s top-rated morning talk show. So, Valeria has no reason to reunite with the group when the opportunity arises. However, when her blind ambition trips her up, Valeria considers turning back to the only family she’s ever had: the Nasty Bitches.

Pepi Sonuga co-stars in the pilot. ABC Signature, part of Disney Television Studios, is the studio.

Velazquez wrote and is set to star/produce La’Tina, a series in the works at Showtime from Will Smith’s Westbrook Studios and Frankie Shaw’s Our Lady Productions.

She’s best known for her breakout lead role as Catalina on NBC’s My Name Is Earl. She co-starred in the History series Six and in Universal’s Ride Along 2.

Her series credits also include major roles on FX’s The League, the CW’s Hart of Dixie and TNT’s Major Crimes.

Ortiz to Guest Star on TBS’ “The Guest Book”

Posted on January 15, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

John Ortiz has signed in…

The 48-year-old Puerto Rican actor will guest star on TBS’ The Guest Book, the new 10-episode comedy series from My Name Is Earl’s Greg Garcia.

The Guest Book emerged from Garcia’s habit of writing fictitious stories in the guest books of various rental cabins in an effort to freak out the next renters. Now he is bringing some of those stories to life on screen centering on the vacation home Froggy Cottage and its visitors. While the house and cast of characters living in this small mountain town remain the same, each episode will feature a different set of vacationing guests.

The anthology-style show, written by Garcia and executive produced by him and Alix Jaffe, will premiere in August.

It will star Kellie Martin (Army Wives), Charlie Robinson (Hart of Dixie), Aloma Wright (Suits), Carly Jibson (Broadway’s Hairspray), Lou Wilson (Tween Fest), Garret Dillahunt (The Mindy Project), Laura Bell Bundy (Scream Queens) and Eddie Steeples (My Name Is Earl).

Martin will play Officer Kimberly Leahy, who serves on the police force in the small mountain town of Mount Trace. Robinson is Wilfrid, an easygoing, friendly gentleman who manages a group of mountain rental cottages with his wife, Emma, played by recurring guest star Wright. Jibson is Vivian, a tough, strong-willed woman who runs a bikini bar called Chubbys with her stepson Frank, played by Wilson.

In addition to Ortiz, other guest stars include Danny Pudi (Community), Jenna Fischer (The Office), Tommy Dewey (The Mindy Project), Lauren Lapkus (Orange Is the new Black), Michaela Watkins (Casual), Mary Lynn Rajskub (24), Michael Rapaport (Sully), Kate Micucci (Raising Hope), Jaime Pressly (My Name Is Earl), Stockard Channing (The Good Wife), Andrew J. West (The Walking Dead), David Zayas (Gotham), Shannon Woodward (Westworld), Margo Martindale (The Good Wife) and Stephnie Weir (The Comedians).

Matos Lands Recurring Role on the CW’s “Hart of Dixie”

Posted on December 13, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Eddie Matos won’t just be whistlin’ Dixie…

The 41-year-old Puerto Rican actor has joined the third season of the CW’s Hart of Dixie, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Matos, an All My Children and General Hospital alum, will appear in a recurring role with potential romantic implications.

Matos will play Enrique, the “gorgeous” Latino driver for Grandma Bettie Breeland (Maree Cheatham), who is saving money to attend poetry school. Described as passionate, charming and incredibly romantic, Enrique attempts to win the heart of one of the Bluebell ladies.

Matos’ other television credits include guest spots on Psych, Awake, Ghost Whisperer and House.

Hart of Dixie returns on January 13 on the CW.

Velazquez Starring in the Indie Film “Sister”

Posted on August 13, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Nadine Velazquez has lander her own sister act…

The 34-year-old Puerto Rican actress has joined the cast of the indie drama Sister.

Inspired by true events, the story centers on a struggling, self-centered actor (portrayed by Reid Scott) forced to take custody of an 11-year-old adopted sister that he barely knows.

Velazquez, appearing in the second season of TNT’s Major Crimes, joins a cast that includes Illeana Douglas, Serinda Swan, John Heard and Barbara Hershey.

David Lascher is directing from a script he co-wrote with producer Todd Camhe.

Velazquez’s credits include television roles on Prison Break, My Name is Earl, Hart of Dixie and The League, as well as a breakout role in the film Flight with Denzel Washington.

Sister is currently filming in Los Angeles.

Dawson In Talks to Star in “The Ever After”

Posted on June 8, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Rosario Dawson could soon be married to a new film project…

The 34-year-old Puerto Rican and Afro-Cuban American actress is in talks to star in The Ever After, which is described as a hard examination of a marriage.

The film, to be directed by Mark Webber, will star Oscar winner Melissa Leo with Warm Bodies’ Teresa Palmer and Webber in the lead roles.

Along with Dawson, part-Mexican American rapper/actor Kid Cudi, Phoebe Tonkin and Hart of Dixie’s Jaime King are also in talks to join the film.

Webber’s sophomore directorial effort The End of Love was nominated for a Sundance Film Festival 2012 Grand Jury Prize.

Dawson most recently starred in Danny Boyle’s Trance. She’ll next appear in Sin City: A Dame to Kill For and Chavez.

Velazquez Cast as a Series Regular on TNT’s “Major Crimes”

Posted on March 21, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Nadine Velazquez will be going on a Crimes spree this summer…

The 34-year-old Puerto Rican actress has joined the cast of TNT’s drama series Major Crimes as a series regular.

Velazquez, who starred opposite Denzel Washington in Flight last year, will portray deputy district attorney Emma Rios on the upcoming second season.

Newly assigned to the Phillip Stroh case on the spin-off of TNT’s hit series The Closer, Velazquez’s character Emma interviews Rusty (portrayed by Graham Patrick Martin) about his involvement as a key witness in the murder case. She immediately causes a stir within the department, coming into conflict with Captain Sharon Raydor (Mary McDonnell) when she questions Raydor’s intentions as Rusty’s guardian and challenges her authority.

Velazquez’s television credits include My Name Is Earl, Hart of Dixie, Raising Hope and recent recurring role on FX’s The League.

On the big screen, Velazquez recently appeared in Dwayne Johnson’s Snitch and will next star in Aztec Warrior.

The second season of Major Crimes will premiere on Monday, June 10 on TNT.

Velazquez Flying High in “Flight”

Posted on November 3, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Nadine Velazquez’s career is taking flight…

The 33-year-old Puerto Rican actress is starring in Flight, a film that not only had her sharing steamy screen time with Denzel Washington, but allowed her to fulfill one of her professional dreams.

In Flight, the story of a heroic pilot with a devastating secret, Velazquez portrays one of the flight attendants responsible for helping passengers during a plane crash.

“I always wanted to scream and cry and plead for my life in a movie, and this is my chance!” said the Chicago-born beauty.

Velazquez, best known for her role as Catalina Aruca on My Name is Earl, has appeared on The League and Hart of Dixie.

She, who discovered her love for acting as a little girl, began her professional career in a McDonald’s commercial playing a drive-thru lady.

From there her career took flight, with roles in films like War with Jason Statham, and the made-for-TV film Husband for Hire.

In Flight, Velazquez plays Katerina Marquez, the lover of Washington’s character, who works alongside Washington on a doomed flight after a night of sex, alcohol and very little sleep.

“The series My Name Is Earl made me known, but I think this movie will change the way the industry sees me,” said Velazquez, who hopes to use this opportunity to help Latinos break into the Hollywood limelight.

McCreery Headed to CW’s Hart of Dixie

Posted on January 25, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Bless his hart! American Idol’s reigning champion Scotty McCreery will be whistlin’ Dixie for Rachel Bilson and her co-stars.

The 18-year-old part-Puerto Rican country crooner—whose debut album Clear As Day has been officially certified platinum—will return to the small screen with an appearance on the CW’s new series, Hart of Dixie.

McCreery will sing his hit single “The Trouble With Girls” in an episode set to air April 23rd, according to Huffington Post.

The performance will reportedly take place during a critical scene between Bilson’s character Zoe and George, played by Scott Porter.

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