Netflix Renews José María Yazpik’s Drug-Trafficking Drama “Narcos: Mexico,” Without Star Diego Luna

Posted on October 29, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

There’s more narcos action in José María Yazpik, but it won’t include Diego Luna…

Netflix has ordered a third season of the 49-year-old Mexican actor’s drug-trafficking drama series Narcos: Mexico. However, the show will come back without its lead Diego Luna, who portrayed drug cartel leader Félix Gallardo.

Season 2 ended with Luna’s Gallardo sentenced to prison for his drug trafficking crimes and there had been much speculation he wouldn’t return if the series was renewed for a third season. Luna is set to reprise his Cassian Andor character in Disney+’s Star Wars spinoff series Rogue One, which is currently in pre-production.

Series co-creator Carlo Bernard will be taking over day-to-day showrunning duties from Eric Newman, who is stepping back after five seasons. Newman will continue to executive produce the series alongside Bernard, Jose Padilha, Sidonie Dumas, Christophe Riandee, Nicolas Atlan, Doug Miro and Andrés Baiz.

Wagner Moura, who starred as Pablo Escobar during the first two seasons of Narcos, also will return to the series, directing two episodes in the new season.

“I am grateful for my five years at the helm of Narcos and Narcos: Mexico and am immensely proud of what this spectacular team has achieved with these shows,” said Newman. “Carlo Bernard is the first person I ever spoke to about this project, over ten years ago, and I am extremely pleased to leave the steering of Season 3 of Narcos: Mexico in his very capable hands.”

Set in the 90s, when the globalization of the drug business ignites, Season 3 examines the war that breaks out after Felix’s empire splinters. As newly independent cartels struggle to survive political upheaval and escalating violence, a new generation of Mexican kingpins emerge. But in this war, truth is the first casualty – and every arrest, murder and take-down only pushes real victory further away.

In addition to Yazpik, returning cast members for season three include Scoot McNairy, Alberto Ammann, Alfonso Dosal, Mayra Hermosillo, Matt Letscher, Manuel Masalva, Alejandro Edda and Gorka Lasaosa.

In addition to Moura, Andrés Baiz, Alejandra Marquez, Luis Ortega, Amat Escalante will direct on Season 3.

Season 2, which premiered in February, is currently streaming on Netflix.

Narcos: Mexico is produced by Gaumont for Netflix.

Pluto TV to Stream All Five Seasons of Wagner Moura’s Netflix Series “Narcos”

Posted on October 14, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Wagner Moura is traveling to Pluto…

All five seasons of Netflix’s Narcos, starring the 44-year-old Brazilian actor, will premiere next week on Pluto TV.

It will be the series’ first streaming run on a free, ad-supported U.S. platform.

The distribution plan, which involves a partnership with Gaumont, will kick off on October 20. Narcos will be streamed across four different linear channels on Pluto, whose ad-supported service now has 26.6 million monthly active users. There will be multiple airtimes in both English and Spanish.

Narcos will stream on Pluto TV’s Crime Drama and Narco Novelas channels and its own branded single-series, marathon-style channels – Narcos and Narcos en Español. Spanish-speaking versions of Narcos will stream with English subtitles, and respectively, English-speaking versions of Narcos will stream with Spanish subtitles catering to multi-lingual audiences.

Season 1 of Narcos will stream weeknights at 10PM ET, with catch-up episodes the following day beginning at 8PM ET. Bonus weekend marathons will be offered following the series premiere. Pluto TV will debut a new season each month through February 2021.

Narcos has been part of innovative distribution deals before. It aired on Univision in a major cross-promotion in 2016, marking an unusual reverse path for a series from streaming to broadcast TV.

Pluto, which is owned by ViacomCBS, is known for being entrepreneurial and building channels around individual shows, as it did with The Walking Dead. A bilingual approach also makes sense given its international expansion. also has been expanding internationally. It also launched Pluto TV Latino, a Spanish-language offering, in 2019.

“As the adoption of ad-supported streaming continues to accelerate, we are excited to build on that momentum and align with esteemed creators and producers in search of new ways to introduce audiences to their coveted collection of award-winning content,” Pluto SVP Content Strategy and Global Partnerships Amy Kuessner said. “Working in partnership with Gaumont, a longtime pioneer in the world of streaming, to bring the acclaimed Netflix Original series Narcos to Pluto TV is further testament to the evolving free streaming landscape that is rapidly gaining foothold for prestige partners, game-changing content and audiences alike.”

Moura earned Golden Globe and Imagen Award nominations for his performance as notorious drug cartel leader Pablo Escobar on the series.

Wagner Moura Signs with William Morris Endeavor (WME)

Posted on October 2, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a new endeavor for Wagner Moura…

The 44-year-old Brazilian actor, filmmaker, musician and journalist has signed with William Morris Endeavor (WME).

Moura, a Golden Globe nominee for his role as Pablo Escobar in the Netflix acclaimed series Narcos, was previously represented by UTA.

He can currently be seen starring in two Netflix films; Sergio, which he also produced, and Wasp Network, opposite Penelope Cruz and Gael Garcia Bernal.

Wagner made his directorial debut with Marighella, which premiered at the 2019 Berlin Film Festival.

His other credits include Walter Salles’ Behind The Sun for Miramax, Sony’s Elysium, opposite Matt Damon, and Jose Padilha’s Elite Squad, which won the Golden Bear at the 2008 Berlin Film Festival.

Nicholas Gonzalez to Star in the Survival Thriller “Borrego”

Posted on July 29, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Nicholas Gonzalez is ready to lay down the law…

The 44-year-old Mexican American actor will star opposite Lucy Hale in the survival thriller Borrego.

Hale will play a young botanist who relocates to a small desert town to study an invasive plant species. While out conducting research, she comes to the aid of a downed plane only to find herself taken captive by an inexperienced drug mule who forces her to lead a trek across the sweltering desert to his drop.

The local sheriff (portrayed by Gonzalez) is drawn into the hunt as his rebellious daughter sets out to find the missing botanist, all while being pursued by a local drug receiver.

Costa Rican actor Leynar Gómez, Latino actor Jorge A. Jimenez and Mexican American actress Olivia Trujillo round out the cast.

Jesse Harris will direct the film from his own script, and he’ll produce. Hale will serve as executive producer.

Gonzalez currently stars on ABC’s The Good Doctor. His other television credits include appearances on Being Mary Jane, Narcos, How to Get Away With Murder and Pretty Little Liars.

His film credits include The Purge: Anarchy, Falling Awake and Rockaway.

Maurice Compte Signs with APA

Posted on July 21, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Maurice Compte has new representation…

The Cuban American actor, best known for his role as tough Colombian cop Carillo on the first two seasons of Netflix’s Narcos, has signed with APA (Agency for the Performing Arts) in all areas.

Compte, who stars as Kevin on Mayans MC, has also starred as high-level drug dealer Diego on the hit Starz series Power, and a season-long arc on From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series.

He’s also appeared on Kevin Can Wait, The Last Ship, CSI, 24, Burn Notice, Lie To Me, Southland and most recently on the CW’s In The Dark.

On the film side, Compte also recently starred in Den Of Thieves opposite Gerard Butler, and appeared in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon A Time In Hollywood.

Other feature credits include The Dream Catcher, Before Night Falls, All The Real Girls, End Of Watch and A Walk Among The Tombstones.

Freestyle Releasing Picks Up Adan Canto’s Romantic Drama “2 Hearts”

Posted on June 16, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Adan Canto’s heartwill flutter in September…

Freestyle Releasing has picked up the romantic drama 2 Hearts, starring the 38-year-old Mexican actor,with an eye on a September 11 release.

The film follows two couples who were never destined to meet, but are thrown together by destiny and fate.

2 Hearts is based on the true stories of Leslieand Jorge Bacardi, of the famous Bacardi Rum family company, and Christopher Gregory, whose struggles and triumphs led to greater acts of kindness and giving than any of them knew were possible.

Jacob Elordi,Tiera Skovbye, Canto and Radha Mitchell star in the Lance Hooldirected and produced feature.

“We believe 2 Hearts is the kind of heartwarming and uplifting love story that audiences need right now and will want to experience,” said Freestyle’s Head of Acquisitions Chris Charalambous. “Director Lance Hool and his team have created a beautiful, memorable movie about romance and the pure power of connection based on real events that is not only heartfelt, but the perfect film for this moment. For all of us who are fans of love stories, 2 Hearts is cast with rising stars in unforgettable roles.”

Hool, said, “2 Hearts is the movie medicine we all need right now. When my brother and I met the real Jorge and Leslie and heard their amazing story, I was awestruck. Their love and their journey touched me deeply and I had to share this story because this is fundamentally about connection, love and destiny.”

Veronica Hool and Robin U. Russin wrote the movie.

Canto’s previous credits include television appearances on Designated Survivor, Narcos and Blood & Oil, and on film in X-Men: Days of Future Past.

Sandra Cisneros’ Iconic “The House on Mango Street” to be Adapted into a TV Drama

Posted on January 24, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Sandra Cisneros’ iconic novel is headed to the small screen…

The 65-year-old Mexican-American author’s coming-of-age novel The House on Mango Street will be adapted into a television drama by Gaumont, the producer behind the Netflix hit Narcos.

The House on Mango Street is made up of a series of vignettes about the characters that populate a blue-collar Chicago neighborhood, seen through the eyes of a Mexican-American teenager, who acts as narrator for the reader.

Regarded as a classic in Chicana literature, the 1984 book has been described as a telenovela of sorts by The New York Timesand has made its way on to the curriculum in some U.S. schools and colleges.

Cisneros has previously declined offers to adapt the book for film and television, according to Gaumont, but she changed her mind amid the explosion in streaming services and the ongoing dialogue about immigration in America.

“I write because the world we live in is a house on fire, and the people we love are burning,” she said. “Television has grown up in the last 20 years and now is the time to tell our stories.”

Cisneros will serve as an executive producer on the show, if commissioned. The project will be overseen by Alexandra Hunter, Gaumont’s senior vice president of creative affairs, and Tely Morrison, manager of creative affairs.

Gene Stein, Gaumont’s president of U.S. Television, said: “The House on Mango Street is a timeless story that captures the struggles, dreams, and spirit of a young woman who epitomizes the experience of many young women coming of age in America today. It’s an inspiring and uplifting story that speaks to the challenges faced by so many trying to find their place in society.”

Netflix Releases Trailer for New Season of Diego Luna’s “Narcos: Mexico”

Posted on January 7, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Diego Luna is headed back to the cartel…

Netflix has announced that season 2 of Narcos: Mexico, starring the 40-year-old Mexican actor/filmmaker, will start streaming on February 13. A trailer for the new installment was also released.

As returning cartel boss Miguel Gallardo (Luna) sits at the head of a table, surrounded by friends and enemies (everyone is revealed to be packing heat), a DEA agent (Scoot McNairy) listens and says, “Backstabbing’s hard work; it wears you out, eventually. No one stays on top forever. And no one is untouchable.”

After three seasons in Colombia, the series changed locations for Narcos: Mexico and focused on two new characters: Miguel and Kiki Camarena (Michael Peña).

Season 1 concluded with McNairy’s unnamed DEA agent, who previously served as narrator and had been unseen, making his way south of the border to take down Gallardo for Camarena’s murder.

Adan Canto to Star Opposite Halle Berry in Her Feature Directorial Debut “Bruised”

Posted on December 7, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

Adan Cantois ready to fight…

The 38-year-old Mexican actor has been cast in the Halle Berry’s feature directorial debut, the MMA drama Bruised.

Written by Michelle Rosenfarb, the film follows Jackie Justice (played by Berry), a washed-up MMA wrestler who has failed at the one thing she’s ever been good at – fighting. When 6-year-old Manny, the son she walked out on years ago, returns to her doorstep, Jackie has to conquer her own demons, face one of the fiercest rising stars of the MMA world and ultimately fight to become the mother this kid deserves.

Canto will play Berry’s character’s MMA manager and boyfriend.

Canto’s credits include the acclaimed Netflix series Narcos, ABC’s Designated Survivor and Blood and Oil and Fox’s The Following.

On the film side, he co-starred as the Sunspot in 20th Century Fox’s X-Men: Days of Future Past. He recently wrote, directed and produced his first short The Shot, starring Theo Rossi.

Juan Pablo Raba to Star in Paramount Network’s Drama Series “Coyote”

Posted on November 20, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

Juan Pablo Raba is on the hunt…

The 42-year-old Colombian actor will star opposite Michael Chiklis in Coyote, Paramount Network’s one-hour scripted drama series from Emmy-winning executive producer and director Michelle MacLaren, Dark Horse Entertainment and Sony Pictures Television.

Written by David Graziano, Michael Carnes and Josh Gilbert, Coyote is the story of Ben Clemens (Chiklis), who, after 32 years as a U.S. Border Patrolagent, is forced to work for the very people he spent his career trying to keep out of America. Now exposed to life on the other side of the wall, Ben will start to question his black-and-white views of the world, challenging his ideology and his loyalties.

Raba will play El Catrin, head of a small family cartel in Mexico. El Catrin is something of an anomaly — charming and impeccably dressed, a man of his word who would just as soon invite you to dinner as have you killed for breaking a deal.

Coyoteis slated to premiere in 2020.

Raba recently wrapped production on action-thriller The Minuteman alongside Liam Neeson, from director Robert Lorenzs.

On television, Raba is known for his starring role as Ricky Ortiz on the military drama Six, which aired for two seasons on History, and for his role as Gustavo, on Narcos. Raba can be seen in Netflix’s original Colombian series, Distrito Salvaje, in which he stars and also executive produces. He’s also known for his recurring role in the third season of ABC’s Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. His character Joey Gutierrez is the first openly gay hero in the Marvelfranchise.

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