Matt Lopez to Serve as Executive Producer & Showrunner of CBS’ “Sheriff Country”

Posted on June 19, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Matt Lopez has gone country…

The Latino television writer and producer has joined CBS’ recently picked up drama series Sheriff County as executive producer and showrunner.

The Fire Country spinoff, headlined by Morena Baccarin, is slated to debut during the 2025-26 season, with a writers room expected to open in late summer.

Sheriff Country was introduced when Baccarin guest starred in an April episode of the mothership series.

Like the Fire Country pilot, the planted spinoff was written by Joan Rater and Tony Phelan from a story the duo co-wrote with series’ star Max Thieriot, whose real-life experiences inspired Fire Country.

Thieriot also directed the backdoor pilot episode.

The offshoot also is following Fire Country‘s leadership pattern.

While Grey’s Anatomy alums Rater and Phelan are executive producers and a writers room fixtures on the mothership series, Tia Napolitano was brought in as day-to-day showrunner. Lopez is taking on the duties for Sheriff Country. He was already in negotiations when CBS in May announced a series pickup for the spinoff.

Sheriff Country stars Baccarin as straight-shooting sheriff Mickey Fox, the stepsister of Cal Fire’s division chief Sharon Leone (Diane Farr of Fire Country), who investigates criminal activity as she patrols the streets of small-town Edgewater.

The series, from CBS Studios, is executive produced by Thieriot, Phelan, Rater, Lopez as well as Jerry Bruckheimer and KristieAnne Reed for Jerry Bruckheimer Television.

Lopez created, executive produced and served as showrunner of ABC’s 2022 family drama series Promised Land.

His feature writing credits include Max’s top-rated original Father of the Bride, from Warner Bros., and several Disney movies, including The Sorcerer’s Apprentice.

Lopez is a former entertainment lawyer and DreamWorks business affairs executive.

CBS Renews Kevin Alejandro’s “Fire Country” for Third Season

Posted on March 12, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

There’s more fuego in Kevin Alejandro’s future…

CBS has renewed is hit Friday night drama Fire Country, starring the 47-year-old Mexican American actor, for a third season.

From creators and executive producers Tony Phelan, Joan Rater and Max Thieriot, the series follows Bode Donovan (Thieriot), a young convict seeking redemption and a shortened prison sentence by joining a prison release firefighting program in Northern California. The program partners inmates with elite firefighters to extinguish unpredictable wildfires across the region.

When Bode is assigned to the program in his rural hometown—where he was once a golden all-American son—until his troubles begin as he burns down everything in his life, now, he’s looking for the opportunity to change his destiny.

Billy Burke, Diane Farr, Stephanie Arcila, Jordan Calloway and Jules Latimer also star.

Alejandro stars as Captain Manny Perez on the series.

Fire Country is averaging 9.21 million viewers in live 7-day multiplatform viewing, up +7% from last year, the network shares while touting the series as a top 6 in streaming on Paramount+. Currently airing on Friday nights, Fire Country is averaging 7.76 million viewers this season in linear viewing (Nielsen, Live+7).

The show has been such a hit for the network the universe could be expanding. Morena Baccarin will appear in a Season 2 episode of Fire County with an option to become a series regular in a potential spinoff series. She’ll portray Mickey, a Sheriff’s Deputy for 15 years who knows every corner of Edgewater … and every one of its inhabitants. This is her town and she’s fiercely protective of it.

The sheriff-centered episode is not considered a backdoor pilot, as the project is expected to go through another development stage before a potential series order but its reception would likely be key for the offshoot’s chances of moving forward.

CBS Studios produces the series.

New Season 2 episodes currently air Friday nights at 9:00 pm and can be streamed via Paramount+.

Vertical Acquires U.S. Distribution Rights to Morena Baccarin’s Action Thriller “Fast Charlie”

Posted on October 6, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Morena Baccarin’s latest project will be heading into U.S. theaters…

Vertical has acquired the U.S. distribution rights to the action thriller Fast Charlie, starring the 44-year-old Brazilian actress and James Caan in his final film, ahead of its October 7th world premiere at the Mill Valley Film Festival.

Caan died in Los Angeles in July 2022, aged 82, following a decorated career of six decades.

The film also stars Pierce Brosnan.

Specifics as to release plans for his last project, based on the 2001 novel Gun Monkeys, haven’t been disclosed.

Brosnan’s character in the film, financed by Ashland Hill, is Charlie Swift, aka “Fast Charlie,” the consummate fixer with a problem: the target he’s just whacked is missing his head. Unfortunately, the only way for him to get paid is to prove it’s the intended target to the man who paid for the hit — New Orleans’ most ruthless mobster, Beggar Mercado (Gbenga Akinnagbe). Charlie looks to do so by enlisting the help of Marcie Kramer (Baccarin), the victim’s ex-wife and a woman with the backbone and skillset he desperately needs. Dragging Marcie back into a past she was determined to escape sends the pair on a wild and unpredictable odyssey, and throughout their escapades, they fight to protect the legacy of Charlie’s best friend and mentor, Stan Mullen (Caan), while bringing down Beggar and his entire operation.

Phillip Noyce directed from a script by Richard Wenk, with Toby Huss and Sharon Gless rounding out the cast.

Said producer Daniel Grodnik of the film, “Richard Wenk’s adaptation of Victor Gischler’s thriller novel, Gun Monkeys, coupled with Phillip Noyce’s keen direction, brings us into a fast-paced world where loyalty, commitment, and doing what’s right still matter. The relationship between Pierce Brosnan and Morena Baccarin is as surprising for them as it is for the audience which makes for a lot of fun.”

In discussing the film’s appeal, Vertical partner Peter Jarowey stated that “Phillip has delivered a crisp, swift thriller with heart that showcases Brosnan and Baccarin’s chemistry delivering performances that seamlessly flow between action, thrills and drama with a good measure of humor weaved throughout to give audiences an exceptionally satisfying experience.”

Morena Baccarin Returning for Marvel’s New “Deadpool” Sequel

Posted on April 13, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Morena Baccarin is hittin’ the (Dead)pool…

The 43-year-old Brazilian actress will reprise her role as Vanessa for Marvel’s new Deadpool sequel, starring Ryan Reynolds.

Stefan Kapicic will also reprise his role as Colossus.

Reynolds recently announced Karan Soni and Leslie Uggams will also return as Dopinder and Blind Al, who like Vanessa and Colossus appeared in the first two films.

They join Reynolds, Hugh Jackman and the newest cast additions Emma Corrin and Matthew Macfadyen.

Shawn Levy will direct the filn, with Paul Wernick and Rhett Reese returning to pen the script along with Zeb Wells. Wendy Molyneux and Lizzie Molyneux-Logelin wrote a previous draft. Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige will join Reynolds and Levy as producers.

This will mark the first Deadpool film in which Marvel Studios will work hand in hand with Reynolds and Team Deadpool. Feige’s involvement comes after he helped revamp the Spider-Man franchise when he came on to help in the creative effort for that Sony series.

Morena Baccarin to Star in the Post-Apocalyptic Action Thriller “Elevation”

Posted on October 15, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Morena Baccarin is elevating her career…

The 43-year-old Brazilian actress will star opposite Anthony Mackie and Maddie Hasson in the post-apocalyptic action thriller Elevation.

George Nolfi will direct the film from Lyrical Media.

Brad Fuller is on board to produce with John Glenn and writing duo Kenny Ryan and Jacob Roman penning the script.

The film is billed as a high-concept, thematically driven action piece set in the Rocky Mountains. The plot is being kept under wraps, but the story is said to follow a single father and two women who must venture from the safety of their home to face monstrous creatures in order to save the life of a child.

Baccarin recently co-starred with Pierce Brosnan in Fast Charlie, a Phillip Noyce thriller. Her other credits include the Deadpool franchise, Spy and Greenland.

Morena Baccarin to Star in Hitman Thriller “Fast Charlie”

Posted on March 31, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Morena Baccarin is movin’ Fast…

The 42-year-old Brazilian actress will star opposite James Caan and Pierce Brosnan in hitman thriller Fast Charlie, to be directed by Phillip Noyce.

Filming is due to get underway in New Orleans next week.

Brosnan will play Charlie Swift who has worked for his ageing mob boss Stan (Caan) for twenty years, skillfully operating as a prolific fixer and efficient hitman. When a rival boss moves to eliminate Stan and his entire team, he fails in wiping the team clean. Now on his own, Charlie will stop at nothing to avenge his friend and has no plans to leave anyone alive.

Baccarin is set to play the female lead Marcie, the ex-wife of a mobster killed by Charlie, who forms an unexpected pairing with Charlie in his revenge against the rival mob.

The original screenplay is written by Richard Wenk, inspired by the novel Gun Monkeys by Victor Gischler. Daniel Grodnik and Mitchell Welch will produce.

Foresight is handling international sales and parent company Screen Media is distributing in the U.S.

Director Noyce commented on the casting: “I’m absolutely thrilled to have James Caan and Morena Baccarin aboard. I can’t imagine a more perfect pair than Morena and Pierce. Not to be cute, but they really do make a killer couple.”

Producer Daniel Grodnik added: “I brought Phillip to America in 1988 to direct Blind Fury with Rutger Hauer and now 34 years later I’m thrilled to be back on the set with him. With a great script by Richard Wenk, and Pierce bringing his star power to the role of Charlie, alongside the legendary, James Caan, and the multi-talented Morena Baccarin, Phillip has a vision that will craft a seminal and iconic film to entertain audiences worldwide.”

Michael Cimino Wins First-Ever Imagen Awards Prize for “Love, Victor”

Posted on October 11, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Michael Cimino is celebrating a special first…

The 2021 Imagen Awards have been announced, with the 21-year-old half-Puerto Rican actor earning the first of his career.

The Imagen Awards recognize Latinas and Latinos in the entertainment industry who work both in front of and behind the camera.

Cimino was named Best Actor – Television (Comedy) for his performance on Hulu’s Love, Victor, which was named Best Primetime Program – Comedy.

Mj Rodriguez took home the Best Actress – Television (Drama) award.

The 30-year-old half-Puerto Rican actress/singer won for her performance on FX’s Pose, which was named Best Primetime Program – Drama.

The Best Young Actor – Television award went to Madison Reyes for her work on Netflix’s Julie and the Phantoms, which was named Best Young Adult Programming.

Justina Machado was named Best Voice-Over Actor – Television for PopTV’s One Day at a Time – Animated Special, which was named Best Primetime Program – Special or Movie.

Tanya Saracho took home the Best Director – Television prize for her work on Vida; she also was presented with the The Norman Lear Writer’s Award.

Other winners in the television categories include JD Pardo (Best Actor – Television (Drama)) for his work on Mayans M.C.; Barbie Ferreira (Best Actress – Television (Comedy) for her work on Unpregnant; Colman Domingo (Best Supporting Actor – Television (Drama)) for his work on Euphoria Special: Part 1 Rue; Morena Baccarin (Best Supporting Actress – Television (Drama)) for her work on The Twilight Zone; Harvey Guillén (Best Supporting Actor – Television (Comedy)) for his work on What We Do In The Shadows; and Diana Maria Riva Best Supporting Actress – Television (Comedy)) for her performance on Dead to Me.

Netflix’s Ya No Estoy Aquí was named Best Feature Film, with the film’s helmer Fernando Frías De La Parra taking home the Best Director – Feature Film prize.

Hosted by Aida Rodriguez, Chuey Martinez, Isabella Gomez and Karrie Martin Lachney, the Imagen Awards were announced last night during a live-streamed ceremony.

The 36th annual awards winners were determined by an independent panel of entertainment industry executives and Latina and Latino community leaders.

The theme of this year’s Imagen Awards was “A Celebration of Our Community: Diverse, Talented, and United.” Each year the Awards recognize an array of Latino talent by honoring and celebrating ground-breaking performances, storytelling, and powerful diverse programs.

Here’s the complete list of winners:

FEATURE FILM

Best Feature Film: Ya No Estoy Aquí / I’m No Longer Here (Netflix; Panorama Global for Netflix)

Best Director – Feature Film: Fernando Frías De La Parra, Ya No Estoy Aquí / I’m No Longer Here (Netflix; Panorama Global for Netflix)

Best Actor – Feature Film: Demián Bichir, Land (Focus Features / a Big Beach Production / Flashlight Films)

Best Actress – Feature Film: Aubrey Plaza, Black Bear (Momentum Pictures, an Entertainment One Company; Tandem Pictures, Oakhurst Entertainment & Blue Creek Pictures, in association with Productivity Media and Radiant Films International)

TELEVISION

Best Primetime Program – Drama: Pose (FX; 20th Television)

Best Primetime Program – Comedy: Love, Victor (Hulu; Hulu, 20th Television, Temple Hill)

Best Primetime Program – Special or Movie: One Day at a Time – Animated Special (PopTV; Sony Pictures Television, Act III, Snowpants Productions, GloNation)

Best Director – Television: Tanya Saracho, Vida (STARZ; Big Beach and Chingona Productions in association with Starz Originals)

Best Actor – Television (Drama): JD Pardo, Mayans M.C. (FX Networks; 20th Television and FX Productions)

Best Actress – Television (Drama): Mj Rodriguez, Pose (FX; 20th Television)

Best Actor – Television (Comedy): Michael Cimino, Love, Victor (Hulu; Hulu, 20th Television, Temple Hill)

Best Actress – Television (Comedy): Barbie Ferreira, Unpregnant (HBO Max; HBO Max presents a WarnerMax / PictureStart / Berlanti / Schechter Films production)

Best Supporting Actor – Television (Drama): Colman Domingo, Euphoria Special: Part 1 Rue: “Trouble Don’t Last Always” (HBO; HBO in association with Reasonable Bunch, A24, Little Lamb, Dreamcrew, ADD Content Agency | HOT | Tedy Productions)

Best Supporting Actress – Television (Drama): Morena Baccarin, The Twilight Zone (Paramount+; CBS Studios in association with Monkeypaw Productions and Genre Films)

Best Supporting Actor – Television (Comedy): Harvey Guillén, What We Do In The Shadows (FX; FX Productions)

Best Supporting Actress – Television (Comedy): Diana Maria Riva, Dead to Me (Netflix; CBS Television Studios for Netflix)

Best Young Actor – Television: Madison Reyes, Julie and the Phantoms (Netflix)

Best Voice-Over Actor – Television: Justina Machado, One Day at a Time – Animated Special (PopTV; Sony Pictures Television, Act III, Snowpants Productions, GloNation)

Best Variety or Reality Show: TIE

A Tribute to Linda Ronstadt at The Soraya (PBS; KCET and The Soraya)

Shine True (Fuse; Vice Studios, OUTtv Canada, Fuse Media)

Best Young Adult Programming: Julie and the Phantoms (Netflix)

Best Youth Programming: The Casagrandes (Nickelodeon)

Best Music Composition for Film or Television: Cristobal Tapia de Veer, The Third Day (HBO; HBO in association with Sky Studios, Plan B, and Punchdrunk)

Best Music Supervision for Film or Television: Joe Rodríguez & Javier Nuño, Ya No Estoy Aquí / I’m No Longer Here (Netflix; Panorama Global for Netflix)

Best Documentary: TIE

Mucho Mucho Amor: The Legend of Walter Mercado (Netflix; A Netflix Original Documentary / A Muck Media Production in Association with Key Rat, Inc. & Topic Studios)

POV: The Infiltrators (PBS; American Documentary | POV, Pueblo Sight & Sound, Chicago Media Project, Naked Edge Film, 3DMC, Baked Studios, The National Day Laborer Organizing Network)

Best Informational Program: Street Food: Latin America (Netflix; Boardwalk Pictures for Netflix)

Best Short Film: UNLADYLIKE2020: Jovita Idar (PBS American Masters; Unladylike Productions LLC in association with The WNET Group’s American Masters.)

Best Commercial Advertisement or Social Awareness Campaign: Latinos Are Essential (Latino Public Broadcasting; PBS)

The Norman Lear Writer’s Award was presented to playwright and television writer Tanya Saracho. Saracho is the creator, showrunner, and executive producer of the critically acclaimed series on Starz, Vida.

NBC Gives Series Order to Morena Baccarin’s Bank Heist Drama “The Endgame”

Posted on September 22, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

It’s (end)game on for Morena Baccarin…

NBC has handed a series order to the bank heist drama The Endgame, starring the 42-year-old Brazilian actress and Ryan Michelle Bathe.

The drama comes from Nick Wootton, Jake Coburn, Justin Lin and Julie Plec.

Universal Television is the studio.

Written by Wootton and Coburn, the formerly untitled project is a high-stakes thriller about Elena Federova, a very recently captured international arms dealer and brilliant criminal mastermind who even in captivity orchestrates a number of coordinated bank heists, and Val Turner, the principled, relentless and socially outcast FBI agent who will stop at nothing to foil her ambitious plan.

Homeland alum Baccarin plays Federova, while First Wives Club’s Bathe plays Turner.

The cast also includes Kamal Angelo Bolden, Costa Ronin, Noah Bean, Jordan Johnson-Hinds and Mark D. Espinoza.

It’s not clear whether the series will air in the 2021-22 broadcast season, which includes new dramas including La Brea and Ordinary Joe.

Eva Longoria Among Celebrities & Entertainment Figures Encouraging World Leaders to “End the COVID-19 Pandemic Now”

Posted on September 21, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Eva Longoria is urging on world leaders to take action to end the ongoing coronavirus pandemic…

Tuesday morning, just before President Joe Biden addressed the United Nations for the first time, more than 80 celebrities and entertainment figures, including the 46-year-old Mexican American actress, producer and activist, issued an open letter to world leaders calling for them to end “the COVID-19 pandemic now.”

The letter, which mentioned the United Nations General Assembly Session specifically, was posted on the website of CARE, an organization dedicated to ending poverty worldwide.

It was signed by a raft of boldfaced names including Longoria, Debra Messing, Alyssa Milano, Anne Hathaway, Malin Akerman, Debbie Allen, Jordana Brewster, Connie Britton, Ciara, Peter Dinklage, Richard Gere, Dolores Huerta, Joel McHale, Iman, Edward James Olmos, Laura Linney, Julianna Margulies, Joel McHale, Idina Menzel, Ana Ortiz, Adam Shankman, Michael Sheen, Adam Shulman and Sarah Silverman.

Specifically, the letter calls COVID-19 “a manmade pandemic of apathy.” It states that “Only 2% of people in low-income countries have received a single dose.” The signatories call on “global leaders to make 7 billion vaccine doses available before the end of 2021, and an additional 7 billion doses by mid-2022 to fully vaccinate 70% of the world by next summer.”

Those are lofty goals given the world’s most highly vaccinated countries, like the U.S., remain well under 70%.

It also asks leaders to “invest in last-mile delivery systems, public education, and frontline healthcare workers to get vaccines from tarmacs into arms.”

Here’s the full letter:

An open letter to world leaders on ending the COVID-19 pandemic now.

None of us are safe until all of us are safe.

We call on leaders gathering at the United Nations General Assembly Session to boldly act
together to end COVID-19 everywhere.

COVID-19 is now a manmade pandemic of apathy. Only 2% of people in low-income countries have received a single dose, leaving the world’s most vulnerable to face COVID with no
protection. This situation also lets new variants, like Delta, emerge and ravage the lives of
millions.

We are joining with CARE to call on global leaders to make 7 billion vaccine doses available before the end of 2021, and an additional 7 billion doses by mid-2022 to fully vaccinate 70%
of the world by next summer.

To get this done the world community must also invest in last-mile delivery systems, public education, and frontline healthcare workers to get vaccines from tarmacs into arms. Millions
of doses could go to waste because low-income countries don’t have the support they
need to get vaccines to vulnerable people.

We can save millions of lives — and trillions in further economic damage — by meeting this moment with the resources and political will needed to end COVID-19 for everyone,
everywhere. Because none of us are safe until all of us are safe.

Malin Akerman
Debbie Allen
Dorothy Amuah
Morena Baccarin
Adriana Barraza
Troian Bellisario
Bobby Berk
Jordana Brewster
Connie Britton
Karamo Brown
Gloria Calderón Kellett
Ciara
Tena Clark
Kim Coates
Madison Cowan
Alexandra Daddario
Peter Dinklage
Melinda Doolittle
Tan France
Richard Gere
Duff Goldman
Tony Goldwyn
Fiona Gubelmann
Anne Hathaway
Ingrid Hoffmann
Anders Holm
Dolores Huerta
Osas Ighodaro
Joel McHale
Iman
Edward James Olmos
Sonam Kapoor Ahuja
Ellie Krieger
Iskra Lawrence
Annie Lennox
Lola Lennox
Esther Lewis
Laura Linney
Kimberly Locke
Eva Longoria
Anja Manuel
Julianna Margulies
Catherine McCord
Joel McHale
Spike Mendelsohn
Idina Menzel
Debra Messing
Alyssa Milano
Sepideh Moafi
Tamera Mowry-Housley
Yvette Nicole Brown
Christina Ochoa
Ana Ortiz
Helen Pankhurst
Jessica Pimentel
Julie Plec
Adina Porter
Zac Posen
Leven Rambin
April Reign
Holland Roden
Sheila Shah
Adam Shankman
Omar Sharif Jr.
Michael Sheen
Adam Shulman
Sarah Silverman
Hannah Skvarla
Todd Snyder
Kimberly Steward
Curtis Stone
Christy Turlington Burns
Laura Vandervoort
Gabby Williams
Michelle Williams
Kimberly Williams-Paisley
Russell Wilson
Scott Wolf
Kelley Wolf
Bellamy Young
Rachel Zoe

Morena Baccarin to Star in NBC’s Untitled Bank Heist Drama Pilot

Posted on June 11, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Morena Baccarin is reaching new heists…

The 42-year-old Brazilian actress will star alongside Ryan Michelle Bathé in NBC’s untitled bank heist drama pilot from Nick Wootton and Jake Coburn; Julie Plec’s My So-Called Company; and Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group.

Written by Wootton and directed by Justin Lin, the project is a high-stakes two-hander about Elena Federova (Baccarin), a recently captured international arms dealer and brilliant criminal mastermind who orchestrates a number of coordinated bank heists throughout NYC for a mysterious purpose, and Val Fitzgerald (Bathé), the principled, relentless and socially outcast FBI agent who will stop at nothing to foil her ambitious plan.

The sexy and twisted heist series reveals how far some people will go for love, justice and the most valuable commodity in the world: the truth.

Known for playing the female lead in the Deadpool franchise, Baccarin co-starred opposite Gerard Butler in STX’s disaster-thriller Greenland.

In 2019, she wrapped two features, The Good House opposite Sigourney Weaver and Kevin Kline; and Waldo, an action-suspense film opposite Charlie Hunnam and Mel Gibson.

Baccarin, Emmy-nominated for her role on Showtime’s Homeland, was the romantic lead in the latest season of Brazil’s Sessao de Terapia. Based on international format In Treatment, which was adapted by HBO in the U.S., Sessao is now in its fourth season in Baccarin’s native country.

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