Constance Marie to Star in Amazon’s Rom-Com Series “With Love” from Gloria Calderón Kellett

Posted on June 13, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a lovely time for Constance Marie…

The 55-year-old Mexican American actress will star in Amazon’s one-hour romantic comedy series With Love from Gloria Calderón Kellett, GloNation Studios and Amazon Studios.

Constance Marie joins a list of new cast additions that includes Benito Martinez and Vincent Rodriguez III.

They will be series regulars opposite Emeraude Tobia and Mark Indelicato in Amazon’s one-hour romantic comedy series.

Created and written by Calderón Kellett, With Love follows the Diaz siblings, Lily (Toubia) and Jorge (Indelicato), who are on a mission to find love and purpose. The Diaz siblings cross paths with seemingly unrelated residents during some of the most heightened days of the year — the holidays.

Marie plays Beatriz Diaz, Jorge and Lily’s mother. She’s going through a midlife/identity crisis with her kids getting older and her marriage being on auto-pilot.

Martinez is Jorge Diaz Sr. He’s a hug in human form, a loving and caring father and husband, even if he has gotten a bit too comfortable in his relationship.

Rodriguez plays Henry, Jorge’s charismatic boyfriend who is about to meet the Diaz family and be the first man that Jorge has brought home ever. Henry is a Filipino dreamboat and the perfect guy but will he and Jorge have a happy ending?

In addition to Toubia and Indelicato, they join previously announced series regulars Rome Flynn, Isis King, Todd Grinnell and Desmond Chiam.

All episodes will be written and executive produced by Calderón Kellet. The pilot episode will be directed and executive produced by Meera Menon.

Known for her longtime run on the ABC comedy George Lopez and as a lead for five seasons on Freeform’s Switched At Birth, Constance Marie can currently be seen on Amazon series Undone opposite Rosa Salazar.

She recently recurred in the Netflix comedy Alexa & Katie and starred in the NBC miniseries Law & Order True Crime: Menendez Murders.

Martinez portrayed David Aveveda for seven seasons on The Shield and played multiple roles over three seasons in John Ridley’s anthology series American Crime. He was most recently seen in recurring roles on 9-1-1: Lone Star and The Mayor.

John Leguizamo to Star in the Off Broadway Streaming Production of Samuel Beckett’s “Waiting for Godot”

Posted on April 12, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

There’s more waiting in John Leguizamo’s future…

The 56-year-old Colombian actor, stand-up comedian, producer, playwright and screenwriter will star opposite Ethan Hawke in an Off Broadway streaming production of Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot, directed by Scott Elliott and premiering online on Tuesday, May 6.

The New Group production will co-star Wallace Shawn, Tarik Trotter and Drake Bradshaw.

Leguizamo will portray Estragon, Hawke will play Vladimir.

The production is the first in a new venture called The New Group Off Stage, from The New Group in association with John Ridley’s Nō Studios and Frank Marshall.

“This project is the epitome of what we mean by ’theatrical expressions in different media’: bringing together top tier artists across disciplines – film, television, stage, music – to collaborate in a hybrid, on-screen world, finding a way to make a play newly alive for themselves,” said Elliott, Artistic Director of The New Group. “It was a unique and singularly meaningful experience for all of us.”

The New Group describes the production as an “experimental exploration of a storied play” that “combines theatrical invention and innovative filmmaking.”

Waiting for Godot will be co-produced by MiLa Media, with production design by Derek McLane and costume design by Qween Jean. Director of Photography is Kramer Morgenthau.

Waiting for Godot will premiere online o Thursday, May 6 at 7:00 pm ET, and will be available to stream at www.thenewgroup.org.

Tickets can be purchased for 72-hour or seven-day rentals.

David Zayas to Star in Paramount Players’ Drama “Body Cam”

Posted on September 20, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

David Zayas is joining the force…

The 56-year-old Puerto Rican actor has landed a role in Paramount Players’ Body Cam drama, which stars Mary J. Blige and Nat Wolff.

Malik Vittahl is at the helm, directing from a screenplay by Nic McCarthy and John Ridley, based on Richmon Riedel’s spec script.

The plot centers around several LAPD police officers who are haunted by a malevolent spirit that is tied to the murder of a black youth at the hands of two white cops. All of them are caught on a body cam video that was destroyed in a cover-up.

Zayas, a former New York Police officer, will play Sgt. Kesper.

Best known for his role as Angel Batista on Showtime’s Dexter, Zayas has appeared in films like The Expendables, Ride, Tallulah, starring Ellen Page and Allison Janney, and Sony’s Annie remake. He also stars in the upcoming indie Shine.

Sigman to Star in CBS’ “S.W.A.T.” Pilot, Based on the 2011 Crime Drama

Posted on February 14, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Stephanie Sigman is about to get tactical…

The Mexican-American actress, who rose to acclaim in the 2011 crime drama film Miss Bala, will star in CBS’ S.W.A.T. reboot.

Sigman is the first cast member to sign onto the reboot, which is based on the movie of the same name.

The pilot follows a locally born and bred S.W.A.T. lieutenant who is torn between loyalty to the streets and duty to his fellow officers when he’s tasked to run a highly-trained unit that’s the last stop for solving crimes in Los Angeles. Sources say CBS is nearing a deal with an actor for the lead lieutenant role.

Sigman will play Jessica, who’s described as ambitious and fastidious, and has earned her high rank at S.W.A.T. headquarters.

The “S.W.A.T.” pilot was written by Aaron Thomas and will be directed by Justin Lin.

Sony Pictures Television and CBS Television Studios are behind the hourlong drama.

The series is based on the 2003 film, which starred Samuel L. Jackson, Colin Farrell, LL Cool J, Michelle Rodriguez, and Jeremy Renner. That movie was based on the 1970s series, produced by Aaron Spelling, which ran for two seasons on ABC.

“S.W.A.T.” is the latest project for Sigman, who’s been in high demand ever since her scene-stealing role in the 2015 Daniel Craig movie Spectre. She also starred in the first season of Netflix’s Narcos, and appeared in a few episodes of ABC’s anthology series American Crime from John Ridley. This is the second consecutive pilot season that Sigman has been cast in a lead role, following Ridley’s ABC detective drama, Presence, which ultimately was not greenlit to series.

Up next for the actress is the sequel to the hit horror movie Annabelle 2.

Martinez to Return for Season 3 of ABC’s Anthology Series “American Crime”

Posted on August 23, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Benito Martinez is back to a life of Crime…

The 45-year-old Latino actor is set to return for another installment of ABC’s anthology series American Crime.

Martinez, who co-starred in the first season of the series from John Ridley and guest starred in Season 2, will return for season 3.

He joins fellow retuning players Timothy Hutton, Felicity Huffman, Regina King, Lili Taylor, Richard Cabral and Connor Jessup in the acclaimed series, executive produced by Ridley and Michael McDonald.

His character provides a further glimpse into Season 3, which explores labor issues, economic divides and individual rights in North Carolina.

“Ever since Benito brought the role of Alonzo Gutierrez to life in season one, John and I have been looking for a character that would be as memorable and worthy of Benito’s talent. He will be tackling the role of a man searching for his missing son,” said McDonald.

Martinez, an alum of The Shield, recently worked opposite Tom Cruise on the crime thriller American Made. He had recurring roles on How To Get Away with Murder and The Blacklist.

Rivera to Star in ABC’s Drama Anthology “American Crime”

Posted on July 26, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

It’s about to get downright criminal for Angelique Rivera…

The Latina actress has been cast in the second season of ABC’s drama anthology American Crime.

Rivera, a Hollywood newcomer, has been cast in the role of “Evy”. The only witness to a crime, her testimony could alter the lives of the young men who stand accused.

Rivera joins returning stars Lili Taylor, Felicity Huffman, Timothy Hutton, Elvis Nolasco and Richard Cabral, all of whom are playing new characters in a new setting.

Executive producer John Ridley has stated that the new season will deal with “physicality, sexuality and societal boundaries with the same urgency as our first season dealt with race and faith.”

Nolasco Returning for Season Two of ABC’s Drama “American Crime”

Posted on June 22, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

There’s more crime in Elvis Nolasco’s future…

The Dominican actor is returning for the second season of ABC’s drama American Crime.

Nolasco, who portrayed addict Carter Nix on the show’s first season, and fellow standout Richard Cabral join returning cast members Timothy Hutton, Regina King and Felicity Huffman. Those actors returning for Season 2 of American Crime will play new characters in a new setting.

“After playing individuals on the fringes of the law, Season 2 will offer complete role reversals for both Elvis and Richard,” American Crime executive producer John Ridley told Deadline. “Elvis playing a fundamentally good man scapegoated by the system in which he works. Richard as someone who takes it upon himself to stand for the rights of others, even if it means he stands alone. Elvis and Richard both gave revelatory performances last year, and we are so happy to have them rejoining Felicity, Tim and Regina.”

While the first season followed the aftermath of a murder in Modesto, CA, Season 2 will film in Austin, with production likely to begin in July.

In terms of season 2’s exact locale, Ridley says the story takes place “in the Midwest, which is where I grew up…it’s a place that when you hear it, there’s no preconceived notions.”

Ridley told Deadline previously that King’s character in Season 2 “is going to be at the center of a story that deals with physicality, sexuality and societal boundaries with the same urgency as our first season dealt with race and faith.”

Further expounding on season 2’s themes, Ridley added during the American Crime Q&A that season 2 will also deal with “sexual orientation and boundaries as it relates to young people and the system that we hope has the best interests of our families and hearts.”

ABC to Premiere “American Crime,” Featuring Nolasco, in March

Posted on November 20, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Elvis Nolasco is bringing a dose of crime to Thursdays…

ABC has announced the premiere date for drama American Crime, starring the Dominican actor.

Written, directed and executive-produced by John Ridley, the series chronicles the aftermath of a brutal attack on a young couple.

American Crime debuts on Thursday, March 5 at 10:00 pm, one week after How to Get Away with Murder ends its freshman season with a two-hour finale on February 26.

In addition to Nolasco, the series also stars Felicity Huffman, Timothy Hutton,W. Earl Brown, Richard Cabral, Caitlin Gerard, Benito Martinez, Penelope Ann Miller and Johnny Ortiz.

ABC Orders Martinez’s “American Crime” to Series

Posted on May 10, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Crime apparently does pay for Benito Martinez…

ABC has ordered to series American Crime, which stars the 42-year-old Latino actor.

From ABC Studios, the dark, racially charged drama, starring Timothy Hutton and Felicity Huffman, centers on a young couple in Modesto, California, who are attacked in their home.

Matt Skokie, a war vet, was killed, and his wife, Lily, is unconscious, barely hanging on. Both sets of parents are at her bedside hoping for a miracle while four suspects are about to be arrested. The case sends shock waves into the community stirring up tensions across racial lines in this gritty drama.

Benito Martinez, best known for hisroles on Sons of Anarchy, Supernatural and The Shield, portrays Alonzo Gutierrez.

Martinez’s costars W. Earl Brown, Richard Cabral, Penelope Ann Miller, Elvis Nolasco and Johnny Ortiz.

American Crime was written, directed and produced by John Ridley (12 Years A Slave).

Martinez to Star in ABC’s Drama Pilot “American Crime”

Posted on March 11, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Benito Martinez is preparing for his fatherly duty…

The 42-year-old Guatemalan American actor, best known for portraying David Aceveda in the FX drama series The Shield, has been cast in ABC’s drama pilot American Crime.

Written and executive-produced by John Ridley, the project centers on the racially charged murder of a war veteran and the subsequent trial, which are examined through the personal lives of the players involved.

Martinez will portray Alonzo, a hardworking, middle-class widowed father whose son is accused of the crime.

He previously recurred on Sons Of Anarchy and is coming off an arc on House Of Cards.

His other credits include television appearances on Dallas, Major Crimes, Covert Affairs, Burn Notice, Lie to Me and 24.

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