Kirk Acevedo to Appear on Season Two of Taylor Sheridan‘s “Lioness”

Posted on September 13, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Kirk Acevedo is entering the Lion’s den…

The 52-year-old Puerto Rican actor has landed a recurring role for Season 2 cast of Taylor Sheridan‘s Lioness.

Acevedo is among a roster of new cast additions that includes Max Martini and Patricia De Leon on the series, which stars Zoe Saldaña,

Other cast members Laysla De Oliveira, Genesis Rodriguez and Michael Kelly, with Morgan Freeman, and Nicole Kidman, who executive produces.

Inspired by an actual U.S. Military program, Lioness follows the life of Joe (Saldaña) while she attempts to balance her personal and professional life as the tip of the CIA’s spear in the war on terror.

In Season 2, as the CIA’s fight against terror moves closer to home, Joe (Saldaña), Kaitlyn (Kidman) and Byron (Kelly) enlist a new Lioness operative to infiltrate a previously unknown threat. With pressure mounting from all sides, Joe is forced to confront the profound personal sacrifices she has made as the leader of the Lioness program.

Martini will play Tracer, a “man hunter” with the Special Forces team. Acevedo will portray Gutierrez, a toughened FBI agent, and De Leon is Maria, a wealthy, Dallas resident.

Cast also includes Dave Annable, Jill Wagner, LaMonica Garrett, James Jordan, Austin Hébert, Jonah Wharton, Thad Luckinbill and Hannah Love Lanier.

Season 1 of Lioness set a record as the streamer’s most-watched worldwide series premiere on launch day, with nearly 6 million total viewers in its first week across Paramount+ globally and on a linear preview on the Paramount Network.

The espionage thriller is produced by MTV Entertainment Studios and 101 Studios exclusively for Paramount+. The series is executive produced by Sheridan, David C. Glasser, Saldaña, Kidman, Ron Burkle, Bob Yari, David Hutkin, Jill Wagner, David Lemanowicz, Geyer Kosinski, Michael Friedman and Keith Cox and is distributed by Paramount Global Content Distribution.

Avevedo is known for his role as Joseph D. Toye in the television miniseries Band of Brothers and as José Ramse in 12 Monkeys.

His other television credits include a series regular role in Oz, as well key roles in Fringe, Prime Suspect and Arrow.

His film work includes Terrance Malick’s Thin Red Line, James Wan’s Insidious: The Last Key, Matt Reeves, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes and Disney’s Invincible, among others.

de Leon most recently heavily recurred on FX’s Mayans M.C. She previously recurred on ABC’s Station 19 and Max’s Genera+ion. On the big screen, she shot a supporting role opposite Abigail Spencer and Matthew Lillard in Mark Robert Ellis’ One Heart.

She also supported opposite Amber Midthunder and Billy Zane in Dana Gonzales’ Centurion: The Dancing Stallion.

Genesis Rodriguez to Star Opposite Zoe Saldaña in Paramount+’s “Lioness” for Season Two

Posted on May 20, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Genesis Rodriguez is ready to roar…

The 36-year-old Cuban-Venezuelan actress has joined the Season 2 cast of Taylor Sheridan’s Lioness.

Rodriguez will portray Captain Josephina Carrillo, a dedicated soldier and skilled helicopter pilot with a fierce personality.

Starring Zoe Saldaña and Laysla De Oliveira, the drama was renewed for a second season by Paramount+ earlier this month. Season 1 is available to stream in its entirety via P+.

Lioness is based on a real-life CIA program and follows Cruz Manuelos (De Oliveira), a rough-around-the-edges but passionate young Marine recruited to join the CIA’s Lioness Engagement Team to help bring down a terrorist organization from within.

Saldaña plays Joe, the station chief of the Lioness program tasked with training, managing and leading her female undercover operatives.

The series also stars Dave Annable, Jill Wagner, LaMonica Garrett, James Jordan, Austin Hébert, Jonah Wharton and Hannah Love Lanier.

Rodriguez most recently wrapped production on Kevin Smith’s The 4:30 Movie, in which she stars alongside Justin Long, Jason Lee and Rachel Dratch.

She recently starred in the series Neon, executive produced by Daddy Yankee, and can also be seen in Season 3 of the hit series The Umbrella Academy.

Additional film credits include Tusk, Big Hero 6, Casa De Mi Padre, Man On A Ledge, Identity Thief and Run All Night.

She can also be seen in the independent films Centigrade and Fixation.

Rodriguez previously shot a leading role opposite Kiefer Sutherland and Boyd Holbrook for the series The Fugitive.

Zoe Saldaña’s “Special Ops: Lioness” Touted as Paramount+’s Most-Watched Global Series Premiere in Its First 24 Hours

Posted on August 6, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Zoe Saldaña is celebrating a special accomplishment…

The 45-year-old Puerto Rican and Dominican American actress’ latest project, Special Ops: Lioness, is a streaming sensation.

The espionage thriller from Taylor Sheridan premiered with two episodes on Paramount+ on July 23, and Paramount Global is now touting it as the streamer’s most-watched global series premiere in its first 24 hours, topping a previous record set by Halo in March 2022.

In addition to debuting on Paramount+, the first two episodes also aired on Paramount Network across the last two weekends. The first episode debuted on July 23 to coincide with the series’ streaming debut, and Episode 2 aired on July 30. The remaining episodes will only be available on Paramount+.

After three days of delayed viewing, Episode 1 scored a combined audience of nearly 6M across viewing on Paramount+ globally and linear viewing on Paramount Network in the U.S., according to Paramount Global.

(For reference, Samba TV reported that 918,000 U.S. households watched Episode 1 on Paramount+ on release day, while 218,000 watched Episode 2.)

“On one of the most competitive weeks of the year, Special Ops: Lioness scored as the No. 1 new scripted series of the year on cable and one of the highest performers of all time on Paramount+,” said Chris McCarthy, President/CEO, Paramount Media Networks & Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios. “Brilliantly created by Taylor Sheridan and brought to life by our stellar cast, this heart-pounding thriller inspired by real-life events clearly struck a chord with a huge audience.”

Added Domenic DiMeglio, EVP and Chief Marketing Officer, Paramount Streaming: “The strong viewer reception for Special Ops: Lioness reflects the power of Paramount across the board in creating, producing, marketing and delivering this incredible Taylor Sheridan drama with broad global appeal. We can’t wait for viewers to come along with us on this high stakes thrill ride.”

On the Paramount Network, Special Ops: Lioness followed Paramount Network and CMT’s airing of the Paramount+ original series 1883, which drummed up 2.2M viewers — a season high for that Taylor Sheridan series.

Inspired by an actual U.S. military program, the new Sheridan drama follows Joe (Saldaña) as she attempts to balance her personal and professional life as the tip of the CIA’s spear in the war on terror. The Lioness Program, overseen by Kaitlyn Meade (Nicole Kidman) and Byron Westfield (Michael Kelly), enlists an aggressive Marine Raider named Cruz (Laysla De Oliveira) to operate undercover alongside Joe among the power brokers of state terrorism in the CIA’s efforts to thwart the next 9/11.

Special Ops: Lioness also stars Dave Annable, Jill Wagner, LaMonica Garrett, James Jordan, Austin Hébert, Jonah Wharton, Stephanie Nur and Hannah Love Lanier. The series is executive produced by Sheridan, David C. Glasser, Saldaña, Kidman, Ron Burkle, Bob Yari, David Hutkin, Wagner, Geyer Kosinski, Michael Malone and John Hillcoat.

It’s produced by MTV Entertainment Studios and 101 Studios for Paramount+. The series is distributed by Paramount Global Content Distribution outside of Paramount+ markets.

“We are thrilled audiences have discovered the power of Zoe Saldaña, Nicole Kidman & Laysla De Oliveira,” said David C. Glasser, CEO of 101 Studios. “These three incredible actors delivered and make Lioness an action packed, dramatic, joy-ride week after week.”

Paramount+ Releases First Look Photos of Zoe Saldaña’s New Espionage Thriller “Special Ops: Lioness”

Posted on May 6, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Zoe Saldaña is a lioness…

Paramount+ has released first-look photos and an official title for Taylor Sheridan’s upcoming espionage thriller Special Ops: Lioness (fka Lioness), starring the 44-year-old Puerto Rican and Dominican American actress.

Saldaña is starring opposite Nicole Kidman, Laysla De Oliveira and Morgan Freeman in the project.

Based on a real-life CIA program, Special Ops: Lioness follows Cruz Manuelos (De Oliveira), a rough-around-the-edges but passionate young Marine recruited to join the CIA’s Lioness Engagement Team to help bring down a terrorist organization from within.

Saldaña will play Joe, the station chief of the Lioness program tasked with training, managing, and leading her female undercover operatives.

The series, from MTV Entertainment Studios and 101 Studios, also stars series regulars Dave Annable, Jill Wagner, LaMonica Garrett, James Jordan, Austin Hébert, Jonah Wharton, Stephanie Nur and Hannah Love Lanier with Emmy Award nominee Michael Kelly in a recurring role.

Sheridan executive produces with David C. Glasser, Saldaña, Kidman, Ron Burkle, Bob Yari, David Hutkin, Jill Wagner, Geyer Kosinski, Michael Malone and John Hillcoat.

Netflix to Release Laysla De Oliveira’s Series “Locke and Key” in January

Posted on December 7, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

Laysla De Oliveirais under lock(e) and key…

Netflix’s high-profile television adaptation of the bestselling IDW Comics graphic novels by writer Joe Hill and artist Gabriel Rodriguez, starring the 27-year-old Brazilian-Canadian actress, will premiere on February 7.

Locke and Key stars Darby Stanchfield as Nina Locke, Jackson Robert Scott as Bode Locke, Connor Jessup as Tyler Locke, Emilia Jones as Kinsey Locke, Bill as Rendell Locke, De Oliveira as Dodge, Thomas Mitchell Barnet as Sam Lesser, Griffin Gluck as Gabe, and Coby Bird as Rufus Whedon.

The synopsis from Netflix: “After their father is murdered under mysterious circumstances, the three Locke siblings and their mother move into their ancestral home, Keyhouse, which they discover is full of magical keys that may be connected to their father’s death. As the Locke children explore the different keys and their unique powers, a mysterious demon awakens — and will stop at nothing to steal them.

From Carlton Cuseand Meredith Averill, the series is a coming-of-age mystery about love, loss, and the unshakable bonds that define family.”

De Oliviera’s previous television credits include appearance on Covert Affairs, iZombie and The Gifted.

Laysla De Oliveira to Star in the Romantic Drama “Acquainted”

Posted on July 10, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a new acquaintance for Laysla De Oliveira…

The Brazilian actress will star in the romantic drama Acquainted, directed by Natty Zavitz from his own script.

Acquainted centers on the not-so-young love that involves mortgages, temptation, and the threat of monotony. It’s set in Toronto with a backdrop of the shifting cultural attitudes towards marriage, monogamy, and the evolving generational identity.

Giacomo Gianniotti and De Oliveira portray former high school classmates who run into each other at a bar and form an immediate rapport before they both reluctantly confess that they’re in committed relationships. The shock of their burgeoning love forces them to choose between comfort or unpredictability.

The film follows up Zavitz’s first film, Edging, which recently won the Audience Choice Award for Best Film at the Canadian Film Fest.

Acquainted follows up his first film, “Edging,” which recently won the Audience Choice Award for Best Film at the Canadian Film Fest.

“Being heartbroken in Toronto was a wonderful experience,” Zavitz said. “Acquainted is that story and I’m thrilled to be making this film with such a remarkable group of filmmakers.”

Adelaide Kane, Rachel Skarsten, Raymond Ablack, and Jonathan Keltz also star.

De Oliveira starred in Code 8.

de Oliveira to Star in ABC’s Single-Camera Comedy Pilot “Jalen vs. Everybody”

Posted on February 15, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Laysla de Oliveira has landed a new project…

The Brazilian actress has been cast in ABC’s single-camera comedy pilot Jalen vs. Everybody, from Nahnatchka Khan, creator/executive producer of ABC’s family comedy Fresh Off the Boat, and the series’ executive producer Jake Kasdan.

Written by Khan, the comedy follows former NBA player and current ESPN personality Rose as he juggles his career responsibilities with the challenges of being a single dad.

De Oliveira will portray Angela, Jalen’s girlfriend, who works for a fashion magazine. Angela’s a big part of Jalen’s life, and has a good relationship with his young daughters, and even his ex.

She joins previously announced cast members Marla Gibbs and Anna Maria Horsford, who play Jalen’s grandmother and mother, respectively.

de Oliveira’s previous credits include appearances on Nikita, Gothica and Covert Affairs.

De Oliveira Cast in the Indie Dark Comedy “Business Ethics”

Posted on October 1, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Laysla De Oliveira is all Business…

The Brazilian actress will star in the indie dark comedy Business Ethics.

From Innis Lake Entertainment and Skylight Picture Works, the film will also star Sarah Carter, Larenz Tate, Jessica Parker Kennedy and Gil Bellows, who starred in the original short film.

Nick Wernham is directing the film from his short, about a man who sets out to run a Ponzi scheme.

Kurtwood Smith, Lance Reddick and Angus Macfadyen had previously joined the cast.

Carter will play Veronica, the loyal but unsuspecting assistant to Zachery Cranston (Tate). Unaware of his financial schemes, she develops unrequited feelings for him.

de Oliveira, who has appeared on television in Covert Affairs and Nikita, will play Cranston’s ex-wife Rosa.

The film begins production next week in Toronto.

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