J. Anthony Pena Upped to Series Regular on ABC’s “Big Sky”

There are more big (sky) moments in J. Anthony Pena’s future…

The Latino actor has been promoted to series regular for the upcoming third season of ABC’s Big Sky.

J. Anthony Pena Pena, who portrays Deputy Mo Poppernak, heavily recurred as the character in Season 2.

Additionally, Luke MitchellSeth GabelHenry Ian Cusick, Anirudh Pisharody and Madalyn Horcher have joined the cast in recurring roles.

Pena’s Poppernak is Jenny Hoyt’s (Katheryn Winnick) chatty, upbeat partner at the Sheriff’s Department and an indispensable right-hand man. He appeared in 16 episodes last season.

In Big Sky Season 3, private detective Cassie Dewell (Kylie Bunbury), under sheriff Jenny Hoyt, and newly appointed sheriff Beau Arlen (Jensen Ackles) maintain order in Helena, Montana. But when a local backcountry trip led by charismatic outfitter Sunny Barnes (fka Sunny Brick) (Reba McEntire) goes awry, the trio face their most formidable mystery yet.

Big Sky is produced by Disney Television Studios20th Television for ABC. David E. Kelley serves as the series creator.

Season 3 premieres on September 21 on ABC.

Pena previously recurred on FX’s Mayans M.C. and Crackle’s The Oath. Recently, he guest starred on CBS’ S.W.A.T., and Apple TV+’s The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey with Samuel L. Jackson.

Izabella Alvarez to Star in the CW Drama Pilot “The Republic of Sarah”

Izabella Alvarez has pledged allegiance to the republic

The 16-year-old Latina actress will star opposite Luke Mitchell and Stella Baker in the CW drama pilot The Republic of Sarah.

Izabella Alvarez

Alvarez joins a list of cast additions that includes Nia Holloway and Hope Lauren.

Hailing from Jeffrey Paul KingMarc WebbCBS Television Studios and studio-based Fulwell 73The Republic of Sarahpilot will be directed and executive produced by Kat Candler.

Here’s the description of the pilot: Faced with the destruction of her town at the hands of a greedy mining company, rebellious high school history teacher Sarah Cooper (Baker) utilizes an obscure cartographical loophole to declare independence. Now Sarah must lead a young group of misfits as they attempt to start their own country from scratch.

Alvarez will play Maya. After her mother’s imprisonment in Los Angeles, Maya is sent to Greylock to live with her estranged father. She struggles to adapt to life in rural New England at first, but with some help from her mentor, Sarah, she takes the first steps toward finding herself in her new home.

Alvarez’s breakout came in a recurring role in season 4 of Shameless. She went on to recur in Westworld, as well as appearances in Disney XD’s Walk the Prank, ABC’s Raised by Wolves and Disney+ family comedy Magic Camp. She currently voices the lead spunky character, Ronnie Anne Santiago, in Nickelodeon’s The Casagrandes, and will next be seen on the big screen in her first leading role and her debut feature Collisions.