Apple to Release Season Three of “Echo,” Featuring Juan Pablo Raba, in November

Posted on October 2, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

There are more echoes in Juan Pablo Raba’s future…

Apple has announced the premiere date of Echo 3, the 10-episode action-thriller from Mark Boal that features the 45-year-old Colombian film, television and telenovela actor among the cast.

Starring Luke Evans and Michiel Huisman alongside Jessica Ann Collins, the series will premiere with the first three episodes of season three on Wednesday, November 23, followed by one new episode weekly every Friday through January 13, 2023.

The action series, filmed in Colombia with English and Spanish dialogue, follows Amber Chesborough (Collins), a young scientist who is the emotional heart of a small American family. When she goes missing along the Colombia-Venezuela border, her brother, Bambi (Evans), and her husband, Prince (Huisman) – two men with deep military experience and complicated pasts – struggle to find her against the backdrop of a secret war.

In addition to Raba, additional cast includes Martina Gusman as Violetta, a prominent political columnist, James Udom, Maria Del Rosario, Alejandro Furth and special guest star Bradley Whitford.

The show’s narrative is based on the series When Heroes Fly, created by Omri Givon, and inspired by the novel by Amir Gutfreund.

Echo 3 is produced for Apple TV+ by Keshet Studios, the US production arm of Keshet International. Boal serves as showrunner and director.

Pablo Trapero directed four episodes, including the pilot, and serves as an executive producer.

Tonantzin Carmelo Upped to Series Regular on NBC’s “La Brea” for Season Two

Posted on May 13, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Tonantzin Carmelo will be getting more screentime…

The 46-year-old half-Latina actress and Michelle Vergara Moore have been upped to series regulars on NBC’s La Brea for Season 2.

Carmelo and Vergara Moore were recurring guest stars last season.

Production on the show’s sophomore turn is currently underway in Australia.

Carmelo will return to 10,000 B.C. in the role of Paara who is from the Tongva tribe and the leader of the village at the Fort. She’s strong and commanding with a reasonable and sympathetic spirit. She saves Ty’s (Chiké Okonkwo) life but in Season 2, when the survivors at the clearing come into conflict with the fort’s villagers, he increasingly finds himself torn between his loyalty to his friends and his growing relationship with Paara.

Vergara Moore returns as Ella Jones, an artist in her 40s who comes to realize the unexplainable visions she draws in her artwork are actually memories from her past life in 10,000 BC. Upon meeting Gavin (Eoin Macken), Ella discovers she went through the light to 1988 as a young girl named “Lilly”. Looking to save her friend Veronica (Lily Santiago) who Ella knows from her memories is trapped in a bear claw in 10,000 BC, she jumps through the Seattle sinkhole with Gavin and Izzy (Zyra Gorecki).

In La Brea, a massive sinkhole mysteriously opens up in Los Angeles, tearing a family apart by separating the mother (Natalie Zea) and son (Josh Harris) from the father (Macken) and daughter (Gorecki). Part of the family finds itself in an unexplainable primeval world, alongside a disparate group of strangers. They must work to survive and uncover the mystery of where they are and if there is a way back home.

Co-stars also include Jon Seda, Nicholas Gonzalez, Veronica St. Clair, Rohan Mirchandaney, and Josh McKenzie.

La Brea is produced by Universal Television and Australia’s Matchbox Pictures, both divisions of Universal Studio Group in association with Keshet Studios.

Writer David Appelbaum executive produces.

NBC Renews Nicholas Gonzalez’s Disaster Drama “La Brea” for Second Season

Posted on November 13, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Nicholas Gonzalez’s disaster continues…

NBC has renewed is disaster drama series La Brea for a sophomore run after the ratings success of the Natalie Zea-fronted thriller starring the 45-year-old Mexican American actor.

La Brea stars Gonzales, Zea, Eoin Macken, Jack Martin, Zyra Gorecki, Jon Seda, Chiké Okonkwo, Karina Logue, Veronica St. Clair, Rohan Mirchandaney, Nicholas Gonzalez, Lily Santiago, Chloe De Los Santos and Josh McKenzie.

The series is centered on a mother and son separated from father and daughter after a massive sinkhole mysteriously opens up in Los Angeles.

La Brea hails from writer David Appelbaum, who executive produces with Avi Nir, Alon Shtruzman, Peter Traugott, Rachel Kaplan, Steven Lilien, Bryan Wynbrandt and Ken Woodruff.

It is produced by Universal Television in association with Keshet Studios.

The show is the No 1 new show of the fall in the adults 18-49 demographic and NBC said that it had reached more than 47 million viewers across linear and digital platforms.

The pilot, which aired September 28, stands at a 3.6 in 18-49 and 19.8M viewers.

It has also become the best launch of any new NBC show on the network’s sister streamer Peacock and is the No. 3 new show of the season in total Live+3 viewers after NCIS: Hawai’i and FBI International.

Keshet Studios president Traugott says he was pleased with the amount of marketing support surrounding the show, which took a long time to make it to air as a result of the pandemic — it was in the middle of producing its pilot when Covid-19 hit and was picked up straight-to-series in January 2021.

“The only thing worse than a network not liking you show is that they love it so much that there’s that pressure. We have no control with the ratings,” he added. “NBC and Universal have been so supportive because La Brea has the potential to draw in audiences, and if they turn up, the pressure is on us to keep bringing them back.”

Dailyn Rodriguez Adapting “Tropicana Nights: The Life and Times of the Legendary Cuban Nightclub” for Television

Posted on September 29, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Dailyn Rodriguez is preparing for some hot Havana nights…

The Cuban American television writer and producer and Queen of the South showrunner is teaming up with Keshet Studios, to adapt Tropicana Nights: The Life and Times of the Legendary Cuban Nightclub by Rosa Lowinger and Ofelia Fox.

Tropicana Nights, which is in the vein of Moulin Rouge, Cabaret and Casino, tells the story of the notorious Cuban nightclub in the 1950s, when the club provided a fun, vibrant, wildly entertaining safe haven for those looking to escape the political unrest and persecution on the streets of Havana.

It centers on the love story and partnership between the club’s owners Martin and Ofelia Fox, who tirelessly fought to preserve their paradise under the stars against various threats, including rival club owners, the mafia and Cuban revolutionaries.

The El Tropicano night club, which opened in 1939 and is still open today, played host to greats such as Nat King Cole and party goers included Marlon Brando, Ernest Hemingway, Rita Hayworth and J.F.K.

Keshet Studios’ president Peter Traugott tells Deadline that the project came out of a general meeting with Rodriguez, who has also written on series including Fox’s Fantasy Island reboot and ABC’s Ugly Betty.

“It’s a spectacularly beautiful space that still exists today. But when you peel it back a bit, [the Tropicana] was this kind of safe-haven for people who didn’t fit in, people from all over the world –people of different colours, sexualities, genders and whatever was going in beyond the walls was left behind,” he said. “It’s a really crazy love story at the centre with this backdrop and at it centre its exploring lots of issues that are still relevant.

Rodriguez added, “I’ve wanted to write about the Tropicana for years. My mother used to tell me amazing stories about the shows she and my father saw there, so this dynamic, special world is close to my heart.”

Keshet Studios is now taking it out to market.

NBC to Premiere Jon Seda’s New Drama Series “La Brea” in September

Posted on July 18, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Jon Seda will be officially sinking into his new project in September…

NBC has set the fall premiere date for its new drama series La Brea, starring the 50-year-old Puerto Rican actor, for Tuesday, September 28 at 9:00 pm ET.

In La Brea, written by David Appelbaum, when a massive sinkhole mysteriously opens in Los Angeles, it tears a family in half, separating mother and son from father and daughter. When part of the family find themselves in an unexplainable primeval world, alongside a disparate group of strangers, they must work to survive and uncover the mystery of where they are and if there is a way back home.

Seda plays Dr. Sam Velez. The father of a teenage girl, he carries himself like the general of an Army.

In addition to Seda and Zea, the cast also includes Nicholas Gonzalez, Lily Santiago, Vanessa Buckley and Chloe de los Santos.

Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group, is the studio, producing with Keshet Studios.

Here are the complete premiere dates announced by NBC:

MONDAY, AUGUST 9
10 p.m. The Wall (Time slot premiere)

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11
9 p.m. Family Game Fight! (Time slot premiere)

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 20
8 p.m. The Voice (Season 21 premiere)
10 p.m. Ordinary Joe (Series premiere)

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21
10 p.m. New Amsterdam (Season 4 premiere)

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22
8 p.m. Chicago Med (Season 7 premiere)
9 p.m. Chicago Fire (Season 10 premiere)
10 p.m. Chicago P.D. (Season 9 premiere)

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23
8-10 p.m. Law & Order: SVU (two-hour Season 23 premiere)
10 p.m. Law & Order: Organized Crime (Season 2 premiere)

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24
9 p.m. Dateline (Season 30)

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28
9 p.m. La Brea (Series premiere)

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21
8 p.m. The Blacklist (Season 9)

Jon Seda Rejoins Cast of NBC’s Drama Pilot “La Brea”

Posted on March 6, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Jon Seda is heading back to La Brea…

The 50-year-old Puerto Rican actor has rejoined the cast of NBC’s drama pilot La Brea.

Seda, who will star opposite Eoin Macken and Natalie Zea on the series, was originally cast in the project a year ago and released in June due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Meanwhile, Hollywood newcomer has joined the cast of the pilot.

In La Brea, written by David Appelbaum, when a massive sinkhole mysteriously opens in Los Angeles, it tears a family in half, separating mother (Zea) and son (Martin) from father and daughter. When part of the family find themselves in an unexplainable primeval world, alongside a disparate group of strangers, they must work to survive and uncover the mystery of where they are and if there is a way back home. (The family’s last name has been changed from Wolcott to Harris.)

Seda plays Dr. Sam Velez (originally Dr. Benjamin Glass). The father of a teenage girl, he carries himself like the general of an Army. Santiago plays Veronica. Very rigid and formal, she does her best to comfort and protect her younger sister.

Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group, is the studio, producing with Keshet Studios.

Seda starred for seven seasons on the Chicago franchise as Detective Antonio Dawson. One of the original stars of the franchise, he started off as a recurring on the mothership Chicago Fire before he was spun off to Chicago P.D. He also appeared for a time on the short-lived legal drama spinoff Chicago Justice. He previously played Nelson Hidalgo on Treme.

Santiago, a graduate of Northwestern University and LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, has appeared in numerous stage productions including the All-Female Macbeth (Red Bull Theater), Othello (Shakespeare in the Park, Romeo & Juliet (Huntington Theatre), and most recently the Public’s mobile Shakespeare production of Measure For Measure.

Jon Seda to Star in NBC’s Drama Pilot “La Brea”

Posted on March 5, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Jon Seda is making a return to NBC…

The 49-year-old Puerto Rican actor, who starred on NBC’s Chicago Fire and recurred on Chicago P.D. for several seasons, has landed a lead role opposite Natalie Zea and Michael Raymond-James in the high-concept drama pilot La Brea.

Hailing from writer David Appelbaum, Keshet Studiosand Universal Television, the project begins with a massive sinkhole that mysteriously opens in Los Angeles. It tears a family in half, separating mother (Zea) and son from father (Raymond-James) and daughter (Zyra Gorecki). When part of the family find themselves in an unexplainable primeval world alongside a disparate group of strangers, they must work to survive and uncover the mystery of where they are and if there is a way back home.

Seda will play Dr. Benjamine Glass, a former Navy Sealwho knows how to take charge.

Thor Freudenthalwill direct the pilot.

Last spring, Seda departed the Chicago franchise after seven years on Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D. and Chicago Justice. As his Chicago character had developed a devoted following, his exit was met with strong reaction by fans, and NBC has been looking for ways to bring him back into the fold.

Seda starred as Detective Antonio Dawson Chicago P.D. One of the original stars of the Chicago franchise, he started off as a recurring on the mothership Chicago Fire before he was spun off to Chicago P.D. He also appeared for a time on the short-lived legal drama spinoff Chicago Justice.

Prior to joining the Chicago franchise, Seda played Nelson Hidalgo on Treme. His other credits include appearances on Hawaii Five-0, The Closerand Burn Notice.

Ramses Jimenez to Star in NBC’s Drama Pilot “Lincoln”

Posted on March 20, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

Ramses Jimenez has a bone to pick…

The 35-year-old Dominican actor has landed a series regular role opposite Russell Hornsby, Michael Imperioli and Arielle Kebbel in NBC/s drama pilot Lincoln (formerly known as The Bone Collector).

The project is based on the best-selling book series by Jeffery Deaver that was adapted into the 1999 movie starring Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie.

Written by VJ Boydand Mark Bianculliand directed by Seth Gordon, Lincoln follows legendary forensic criminologist Lincoln Rhyme (Hornsby), who was seriously injured during his hunt for the diabolic serial killer known as the Bone Collector. Called back into action when the killer re-emerges, Lincoln forms a unique partnership with Amelia Sachs (Kebbel), a young beat cop who helps him hunt the deadly mastermind while also taking on the most high-profile cases in the NYPD.

Jimenez will play Eric Ortiz, an NYPD detective and Sellitto’s (Imperioli) new partner.

Sony Pictures Televisionand Universal Televisionwill produce the project in association with Keshet Studios.

Jimenez recurs on Starz’s breakout Latinxseries Vida. He previously recurred on Fear the Walking Dead and Wisdom of the Crowd.

David Del Rio to Star in ABC’s Rom-Com Pilot “The Baker and the Beauty”

Posted on March 18, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

David Del Rio has landed a beautyof a role…

The 31-year-old Latino actor has been cast as a series regular opposite Victor Rasuk and Nathalie Kelley in The Baker and the Beauty, ABC’s hourlong romantic comedy from Keshet Studios, Universal Televisionand ABC Studios.

Written by Dean Georgarisand to be directed by David Frankel, the storyline follows the impossible Miami love story between a simple baker (Rasuk) and an international superstar, Noa Hollander (Kelley).

Del Rio will play Mateo Garcia, Daniel’s younger brother.

His recent credits include supporting roles in The Belko Experiment and Pitch Perfect, the role of Putzie in Grease Live! and a starring role in Sean McNamara’s Lionsgatefeature Spare Parts opposite George Lopez, Jamie Lee Curtisand Marisa Tomei.

Michelle Veintimilla to Star in ABC’s Rom-Com Pilot “The Baker and the Beauty”

Posted on March 11, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

Michelle Veintimilla has landed a beautyof a role…

The 26-year-old Ecuadorian-Americanactress has been cast as a series regular in ABC’s pilot The Baker and the Beauty, an hour-long romantic comedy based on the Israeli series, from Keshet Studios, Universal Television and ABC Studios.

Written by Dean Georgarisand to be directed by David Frankel, The Baker and the Beauty follows the impossible Miami love story between a simple baker and an international superstar.

Veintimilla will play Vanessa.

Veintimilla has a recurring role on Gotham, which is wrapping up its fifth and final season. Her other credits include Blue Bloods, Seven Seconds and The Gifted.

In film, she’ll next appear in Drunk Parents.

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