Melissa Fumero to Star in NBC Drama Pilot “Grosse Pointe Garden Society”

Posted on April 8, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Melissa Fumero is entering Society…

The 41-year-old Cuban American actress and former Brooklyn Nine-Nine star has been cast as a lead in Grosse Pointe Garden Society, NBC’s drama pilot from Jenna Bans, Bill Krebs and Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group.

Fumero will star opposite AnnaSophia Robb and Ben Rappaport in the pilot.

The drama follows four members of a suburban garden club — three of them played by Fumero, Robb and Rappaport — all from different walks of life, who get caught up in murder and mischief as they struggle to make their conventional lives bloom.

Fumero plays Birdie. Entitled, rich, swathed in Chanel, a smoker, a drinker, self-destructive at times, toxic at others, but not without real pain beneath her facade, Birdie is a successful author whose memoir, “Digging for Gold: Dancing Through Divorce,” is a bestseller.

Robb plays Alice, your favorite high school English teacher, a dreamer whose best dreams are crashing down on her. She’s a longtime member of the Grosse Pointe Garden Society.

Rappaport plays Brett. Cool in a threadbare kind of way, Brett put his own dreams of starting a car restoration business on hold so his wife (now ex-wife) could finish law school. He continues his job as a manager of a garden store so he can take care of the kids.

Maggie Kiley is directing the pilot.

This marks Fumero’s return to NBC. She’s best known for her role as Amy Santiago in the critically acclaimed Brooklyn Nine-Nine, which ended its eight-season run on NBC. She won the Imagen Foundation Award for her work on the show.

Fumero recently was a voice cast member on Comedy Central’s adult animated series Digman! from Andy Samberg as well as Max’s Velma from Mindy Kaling.

She also starred opposite Randall Park in Netflix’s comedy series Blockbuster and in the IFC comedy film Barfight! with Rachel Bloom.

Aaron Dominguez to Star in the Indie Action Thriller “Red Dirt”

Posted on November 6, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Aaron Dominguez is hitting pay dirt…

The 29-year-old Latino actor, who stars on Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building, will star in Red Dirt, an indie action thriller from director Crash Buist that has been handed an interim agreement from SAG.

Dominguez is among a cast that includes Melissa Fumero, Alejandro Edda, Sebastian Chacon and Carlos Pratts.

Written by Buist, Jonathan Medina and Lauren Senechal, the film is a family-driven revenge tale about two brothers, Miguel (Dominguez) and Dom (Edda) who are thrust back together after years apart when their family is murdered by cartel gangsters in a New Mexico border town. The brothers are the only surviving members of a family that dies crossing the border between Mexico and the United States. Upon doing so, they’re found and cared for by a white couple, Brent and Margaret. The backdrop of their struggle arises with the opposing realities of where they were born and where they are raised. This is reflected in the choices they make as the younger Miguel becomes a cop, and his older brother, Dom, is forced to work in the world of drug trafficking.

Buis and Senechal are producing under their Sthenic Studios banner, alongside Medina. Jamie Ember and Marisa DeFranco handled casting.

In a statement accompanying the project announcement, Buist shared that he’s been “humbled and inspired by the level of talent and innovation in the New Mexico film community, and there is no richer backdrop for the world of Red Dirt.”

Co-writer and producer Senechal praised the film’s “truly…special” cast and the “depth, gravity, and creativity” they’ve brought to their work.

Added Medina: “Beyond excited to bring this latine-led story to life, and support SAG-AFTRA, my fellow writers, crew, teamsters, and everyone involved in our amazing business. The interim agreement works, so we can too!”

Recently appearing in the films Sitting in Bars with Cake and The Inspection from Amazon and A24, respectively, Dominguez is also known for a starring role in the first season of Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building. Among other upcoming projects for the actor is a reimagining of the 1986 horror classic Witchboard from filmmaker Chuck Russell, which sees him starring alongside Madison Iseman and Jamie Campbell Bower.

Known for starring on Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Netflix’s comedy series Blockbuster opposite Randall Park, Fumero has also been seen of late on George Lopez series Lopez vs. Lopez, also getting behind the camera to direct episodes of shows like Primo, Shea Serrano and Mike Schur’s hit comedy for Amazon Freevee.

Edda will next be seen starring in Kevin Costner’s Western epic Horizon: An American Saga, having previously been seen in film and TV projects like American Made, The Forever Purge, Narcos: Mexico and Snowfall.

Most recently seen starring in Amazon’s hit series Daisy Jones & The Six and comedic thriller Emergency, Chacon will next appear alongside Jay Baruchel, Emily Hampshire, Peter Gallagher and Enrico Colantoni in the thriller Humane.

Melissa Fumero to Appear on Upcoming Episode of NBC’s “Lopez vs. Lopez”

Posted on April 20, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Melissa Fumero has landed a special guest-starring role…

The 40-year-old Cuban American actress and former Brooklyn Nine-Nine will appear on the May 2 episode of George Lopez and Mayan Lopez’s NBC’s Lopez vs. Lopez.

Fumero will play Natalia, a Latina mother who mistakes Mayan for white.

But Fumero isn’t the only guest star on the episode.

Danny Trejo will play Danny Martinez of Martin-E.Z. Movers, who is George’s rival and biggest competitor.

Additionally, Judge Marilyn Milian and Erik Griffin will appear in the episode, with character details not yet revealed.

Fumero is best known for starring as Amy Santiago opposite Andy Samberg in NBC’s Brooklyn Nine-Nine.

Recently, she voice acted in Samberg’s adult animated Comedy Central series Digman! and HBO Max’s adult animated series Velma. In 2022, she appeared in the IFC comedy film Barfight! and the Netflix comedy Blockbuster.

Her other prominent credits include One Life to Live, Gossip Girl, Royal Pains, CSI: NY and The Mentalist.

As a director, she has worked on Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Grand Crew, Gordita Chronicles and the upcoming Freevee comedy Primo.

Trejo is a prolific charcter actor with film credits including Desperado, Heat, the From Dusk Till Dawn series, Con Air and Spy Kids.

In television, he’s appeared in Sons of Anarchy, King of the Hill, Breaking Bad, The Flash, American Gods and The Book of Boba Fett.

Milian has been the judge presiding over the syndicated arbitration reality series The People’s Court since 2001 and in the fall will launch “Justice for the People With Judge Milian.”

Lopez vs Lopez is produced by Universal Television in association with Mohawk Productions, Travieso Productions, Mi Vida Loba and 3 Arts.

Netflix Releases First Look Images at Melissa Fumero’s Workplace Comedy “Blockbuster”

Posted on August 26, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Melissa Fumero is preparing for a blockbuster…

Netflix has released first look images at its workplace comedy Blockbuster, starring the 40-year-old Cuban American actress.

The 10-episode first season, which will be released on November 3, also stars Randall Park, Tyler Alvarez, Madeleine Arthur, Olga Merediz, JB Smoove, and Kamaia Fairburn.

From creator, writer, executive producer and showrunner Vanessa Ramos, Blockbuster follows Timmy Yoon (Park), an analog dreamer living in a 5G world. And after learning he is operating the last Blockbuster Video in America, Timmy and his staff employees (including his long-time crush, Eliza (Fumero) fight to stay relevant. The only way to succeed is to remind their community that they provide something big corporations can’t: human connection.

Alongside Ramos, the series is also written by David Caspe and Jackie Clarke who are also executive producers.

John Davis and John Fox are also EPs for Davis Entertainment.

The series is produced by Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group.

Fumero’s previous credits include Brooklyn Nine-Nine and One Life to Live.

Melissa Fumero to Help Announce Primetime Emmy Nominations

Posted on July 1, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Melissa Fumero is reporting for Primetime duty…

The 39-year-old Cuban American actress will team up with JB Smoove to announce the Primetime Emmy nominations on July 12, according to the Television Academy.

Fumero and Smoove will appear in Blockbuster, the upcoming Netflix comedy set at the last remaining Blockbuster Video outlet.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine alum Fumero stars alongside Randall Park, and Curb Your Enthusiasm’s Smoove is set to recur.

Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Chairman and CEO Frank Scherma will join the duo for the announcement, which will be livestreamed at Emmys.com.

Fumero starred as Officer Amy Santiago on all eight seasons of the NBC/Fox sitcom Brooklyn Nine-Nine, opposite Andy Samberg, sharing a 2015 SAG Awards nomination for its ensemble.

Her credits also include Gossip Girl and Diary of a Future President, along with voice roles on M.O.D.O.K. and Elena of Avalor. She also appeared in more than 200 episodes of the long-running ABC soap One Life to Live from 2005-11.

“It’s been another exceptional year of television with an abundance of remarkable programs and performances,” Scherma said in a statement. “We are thrilled to have JB and Melissa on board to help us celebrate the extraordinary shows, producers, storytellers and talent that continue to shape and elevate our dynamic medium.”

The 74th annual Primetime Emmys Awards will air Monday, September 12, on NBC. Peacock will stream the ceremony live for the first time.

Tyler Alvarez to Star in Netflix’s Workplace Comedy Series “Blockbuster”

Posted on March 3, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Tyler Alvarez is the new kid on the block(buster)…

The 24-year-old Puerto Rican and Cuban-American actor has joined the cast of Blockbuster, Netflix’s upcoming single-camera workplace comedy.

Alvarez is part of a roster of new cast additions that includes Madeleine Arthur and Olga Merediz as series regulars. JB Smoove and Kamaia Fairburn have also joined the cast in recurring roles.

They join previously announced leads Randall Park and Melissa Fumero.

Blockbuster, from Universal Television, is a 10-episode ensemble comedy that takes place in the last Blockbuster Video store in America. It explores what it takes – and, more specifically, who it takes – for a small business to succeed against all odds.

Alvarez will play Carlos. As a first-generation son of immigrants, he learned English by watching movies, and they quickly became his love language. He dreams of being a filmmaker, but can’t help but feel like he owes it to his parents to live the American life they planned for him.

Merediz will play Connie. She works at Blockbuster to make friends, not money. She’s the unintentionally blunt mother figure to not just the employees, but many of the Blockbuster regulars.

The series is created by Vanessa Ramos, with David Caspe and Jackie Clarke also serving as writers/executive producers. John Davis and John Fox executive produce for Davis Entertainment. Payman Benz will direct and co-executive produce four episodes, including the pilot.

Alvarez’s previous credits include Never Have I Ever and American Vandal.

Merediz previously appeared in In the Heights and Encanto.

Melissa Fumero to Star Opposite Randall Park in Netflix’s Workplace Comedy Series “Blockbuster”

Posted on February 16, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Melissa Fumero has landed a blockbuster role…

The 39-year-old Cuban American actress and former Brooklyn Nine-Nine star will appear as the female lead opposite Randall Park in Blockbuster, Netflix’s upcoming single-camera workplace comedy.

Fumero will play Eliza, a dedicated mother whose marriage to her high school sweetheart is on the rocks. She left Harvard after one semester to start a family and now works at Blockbuster alongside Timmy (Park) as his trusty Number 2 — and maybe more.

The series is created by Vanessa Ramos, with David Caspe and Jackie Clarke also serving as writers/executive producers. John Davis and John Fox executive produce for Davis Entertainment. Payman Benz will direct and co-executive produce four episodes, including the pilot.

Fumero is segueing to Blockbuster from,Brooklyn Nine-Nine, on which Ramos did a stint as a writer-producer and Benz as an episodic director.

Fumero starred as Det. Amy Santiago on the cop comedy, which recently wrapped its eighth and final season on NBC.

She is shooting Jim Mahoney’s independent comedy feature Bar Fight, alongside Rachel Bloom.

Fumero’s credits also include the voice of Melissa in Marvel’s animated series M.O.D.O.K. for Hulu, a recurring role on Netflix’s One Day at a Time and a guest-starring role on HBO’s Room 104.

Melissa Fumero to Star in Comedy “Bar Fight”

Posted on August 17, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Melissa Fumero is joining the Fight…

The 39-year-old Cuban American actress will star in Bar Fight, a comedy from writer/director Jim Mahoney, which wrapped production this week in Los Angeles.

Fumero is part of a cast that includes Rachel Bloom, Luka Jones and Julian Gant.

Bar Fight follows exes Nina (Fumero) and Allen (Jones), who split everything in their lives 50/50 after their break-up to avoid any drama—everything, that is, except for their favorite local bar. Nina and Allen must compete in a ridiculous, tavern-style custody battle for their prized watering hole, in which lines will be drawn, sides will be chosen, and beers will be drunken.

The film is presented by Particular Crowd and Ingenious Media.

Fumero is best known for her turn as Amy Santiago in NBC’s Brooklyn Nine-Nine. The actress has also featured on the television side in Marvel’s M.O.D.O.K., Elena of Avalor, One Life to Live, Gossip Girl and more. She has appeared on the film side in Dan Cohen’s A Stone in the Water and Henry Barrial’s The House That Jack Built, among other titles.

NBC to End Melissa Fumero’s Police Comedy “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” with Upcoming Eighth Season

Posted on February 12, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Melissa Fumero is turning in her badge and gun…

NBC has announced the 38-year-old Cuban-American actress’ police comedy Brooklyn Nine-Nine, co-starring Andy Samberg, will be ending during the 2021-22 broadcast season, bringing its fairytale resurrection to a close with its upcoming eighth season.

The show, produced by Universal Television, originally ran for five seasons on Fox before it was cancelled but NBC picked up the show for a sixth season that aired in 2019. Season seven aired in spring 2020 and the eighth season was renewed three months before season seven premiered.

Production on season eight, which will be comprised of 10 episodes, was hit by the pandemic but Samberg said that he expects them to be back on set “fairly soon”. The earliest the show will return is fall 2021, meaning that the comedy will not have aired a season during the 2020-21 season.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine, which has had a particularly fervent digital audience, stars Samberg as Det. Jake Peralta alongside his squad of somewhat hapless police officers played by Fumero, Andre Braugher, Terry Crews, Melissa Fumero, Stephanie Beatriz, Joe Lo Truglio, Dirk Blocker and Joel McKinnon Miller.

“I still remember the palpable excitement that night in 2018 when we announced Brooklyn Nine-Nine would be returning to its rightful home at NBC,” said Lisa Katz, President of Scripted Content, NBCUniversal Television and Streaming. “We’ve always loved these characters and the way they make us laugh while also masterfully weaving in storylines that make us reflect as well.”

“Brooklyn Nine-Nine has been one of the jewels in our comedy crown. It’s had an incredible run across not one but two networks, garnered widespread acclaim and captured the hearts of fans all over the world,” added Pearlena Igbokwe, Chairman, Universal Studio Group. “We extend our deepest gratitude to Andy Samberg, Andre Braugher and our entire wonderful ensemble, and our amazingly talented writers, producers and crew.”

Melissa Fumero Taking Part in NBCUniversal’s New “The More You Know” Social Justice, Equality and Equity PSAs

Posted on September 15, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Melissa Fumero is helping people get in the know…

NBCUniversal will launch a new series of its popular The More You Know PSAs that tackle systemic racism and speak up for social justice, equality and equity, with the 38-year-old Cuban American actress and Brooklyn Nine-Nine star among the artists taking part.

Fumero joins a roster of NBC talent that includes Dulé Hill, James Roday Rodriguez and Kelly Clarkson, among others.

The campaign was developed in collaboration with social and racial justice organizations Fair Count, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, the NAACP, the National Action Network and the National Urban League, and focuses on standing up against injustice, teaching children about equity, and the importance of voting and completing the census, especially for how it impacts the Black community and communities of color.

The campaign kicked off this week on NBC’s Today with a spot on teaching children about inclusion and acceptance. The campaign will be rolling out over the next few weeks, with spots now available on TheMoreYouKnow.com and YouTube.

The More You Know site also includes comprehensive resources and educational guides.

“For over 30 years, ‘The More You Know’ has sought to bring light to the nation’s most pressing social issues,” said Craig Robinson, Executive Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer, NBCUniversal, “and we hope this new iteration will continue to educate, encourage and inspire people of all ages to take an active role in improving the world we live in.”

In addition to Fumero, Hill, Roday Rodriguez and Clarkson, stars participating in the campaign include: Carlos Adyan (En Casa con Telemundo), Freema Agyeman (New Amsterdam), Notah Begay III (NBC Sports), Gizelle Bryant (The Real Housewives of Potomac), Kandi Burruss (The Real Housewives of Atlanta), Victor Cruz (E! News), Dexter Darden (Saved by the Bell), Ester Dean (Songland), Ryan Eggold (New Amsterdam), Soleil Moon Frye (Punky Brewster), Damon Hack (Golf Channel), Zuri Hall (Access Hollywood), Ana Jurka (“En Casa con Telemundo and Titulares y Más), Aneudy Lara (100 Días Para Enamorarnos), Howie Mandel (America’s Got Talent), Christopher Meloni (Law & Order: Organized Crime), Wendy Osefo (The Real Housewives of Potomac), Jeimy Osorio (Telemundo), Nina Parker (E! News’ Nightly Pop), Nichole Sakura (Superstore), Jocko Sims (New Amsterdam), Chris Sullivan (This Is Us”), Justin Sylvester (E! News’ Daily Pop), Elyfer Torres (Enemigo Íntimo) and Reno Wilson (Good Girls).

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