Jessica Pimentel to Star in Hulu’s Drama Pilot “Olga Dies Dreaming”

Jessica Pimentel is livin’ the dream(ing)

The 38-year-old Dominican American actress will star opposite Aubrey Plaza, Ramón Rodríguez and Wanda De Jesús in Olga Dies DreamingHulu’s one-hour drama pilot based on the novel by Xochitl Gonzalez.

Jessica Pimentel

The pilot for Olga Dies Dreaming, written by Gonzalez and to be directed by Alfonso Gomez-Rejon, tells the story of a Nuyorican brother (Rodríguez) and sister (Plaza) from a gentrifying Sunset Park in Brooklyn who are reckoning with their absent, politically radical mother (De Jesús) and their glittering careers among New York City’s elite in the wake of Hurricane Maria.

Pimentel will play Mabel Ortiz, who is as street smart as she is book smart. She loves a good time; the first on a dance floor and the last off. She has opinions and isn’t afraid to express them, and she refuses to take the time to wrap them in a nice bow. Her big personality masks a more sensitive interior. She worships her cousin Prieto (Rodríguez) but, despite having been raised like sisters, her relationship with Olga (Plaza) is now more fraught.

Jesse Williams also stars.

Gomez-Rejon, who partnered with Gonzalez after reading her novel in manuscript form, executive produces the pilot; Plaza and Rodríguez are producing. 20th Television is the studio.

Pimentel is best known for her role as Maria Ruiz on all seven seasons of Netflix’s Orange Is the New Black.

Her other previous television credits include recurring roles on Law & Order: SVU and Person of Interest.

She can currently be seen in Theodore Schaefer’s feature Giving Birth to a Butterfly

Wanda De Jesús to Star in Hulu’s Drama Pilot “Olga Dies Dreaming”

Wanda De Jesús is dreamingbig…

The 63-year-old Latina actress will star opposite Aubrey Plaza and Ramón Rodríguez in Olga Dies DreamingHulu’s one-hour drama pilot based on the novel by Xochitl Gonzalez.

Wanda de Jesus

The pilot for Olga Dies Dreaming, written by Gonzalez and to be directed by Alfonso Gomez-Rejon, tells the story of a Nuyorican brother (Rodríguez) and sister (Plaza) from a gentrifying Sunset Parkin Brooklynwho are reckoning with their absent, politically radical mother (De Jesús) and their glittering careers among New York City’s elite in the wake of Hurricane Maria.

De Jesús’ plays Blanca Acevedo, a former Young Lord turned radical activist, who is brilliant and uncompromising. From an early age she was the family contrarian, always keenly aware of injustice: in her family, in the neighborhood and the world.

Gomez-Rejon, who partnered with Gonzalez after reading her novel in manuscript form, executive produces the pilot; Plaza and Rodríguez are producing. 20th Century Fox Television is the studio.

De Jesús’ film credits include the Franc Reyes-directed Illegal Tender, produced by John Singleton, and a co-starring role in Reyes-helmed The Ministers, along with Clint Eastwood’s Bloodwork and PBS Masterpiece Theatre’s Almost a Woman.

Daddy Yankee Featured on Beat Fever’s Interactive Album to Help Puerto Rico’s Recovery Efforts

Daddy Yankee is spreading the Fever to help his homeland…

Beat Fever, a mobile music app with more than 9.1 million fans, has launched a campaign to help Puerto Rico recovery efforts, featuring the 41-year-old Puerto Rican reggaeton superstar.

Daddy Yankee

Play for Puerto Rico,” which Beat Fever launched in conjunction with non-profit organization Today I’m Brave, seeks to raise $500,000 to rebuild at least 100 roofs in Puerto Rico by driving awareness and donations to 100Roofs.org, which is spearheaded by actress Rosie Perez and Ramon Rodriguez in partnership with disaster relief organization Heart 9/11.

An interactive album featuring music from Daddy YankeeLuis Fonsi, Nicky Jam and more allows fans tap to the beat of the songs, and learn about the project via pop-up videos between songs. They can then donate directly to 100Roofs.org with the click of a button. Puerto Rican-themed virtual clothing will allow fans to personalize their avatar.

“It’s hard to imagine that 60,000 homes are still using blue tarps as roofs in Puerto Rico a year after the hurricanes. In the spirit of teaching a man to fish, 100Roofs is a sustainable and scalable way to help Puerto Ricans rebuild their homes and communities,” said David Angelo, founder of Today, I’m Brave.

Beat Fever, which was launched last year and has fans in over 150 countries, will run the “Play for Puerto Rico” campaign through November. 30 here and via iTunes and Google Play.

 

Fox Releases Extended Trailer for Rodriguez’s New Series “Gang Related”

The anticipation is building forRamón Rodríguez’snew Fox series Gang Related

The network has just released the extended trailer for the 34-year-old Puerto Rican actor’s summer series.

Gang Related

The Wire alum stars as Det. Ryan Lopez,a member of Los Angeles’ elite Gang Task Force, who also happens to be a gang member sent in to infiltrate the Los Angeles Police Department, which raises the question, “Which side is he really on?”

RZA, Cliff Curtis, Rey Gallegos, Jay Hernandez, Sung Kang, Inbar Lavi, Terry O’Quinn and Shantel VanSanten also star in the series.

Gang Related premieres May 22 on Fox.

Fox Releases New Promo for Rodriguez’s Action-Drama “Gang Related”

Ramon Rodriguez is ready to bring his character’s dark side to television…

Fox has released the new promo for the network’s upcoming action-drama Gang Related, which stars the 34-year-old Puerto Rican actor.

Gang Related

Rodriguez portrays Detective Ryan Lopez, a rising star in Los Angeles’ elite Gang Task Force. What nobody knows is that long before he became a police officer, Ryan pledged allegiance to a powerful Latino gang called Los Angelicos.

When Ryan’s best friend and police partner is senselessly killed by a notorious gang member, he teams up with longtime Task Force member Cassius Green (RZA), who has been at the forefront of the city’s war on organized crime. Despite his profession, Ryan is still indebted to the gang’s leader Javier Acosta (Cliff Curtis), the father figure Ryan has tried to make proud his entire life and the man who masterminded his entry into the police force.

Gang Related also stars Rey Gallegos, Jay Hernandez, Sung Kang, Inbar Lavi, Terry O’Quinn and Shantel VanSanten.

Gang Related, which is scheduled to air at 9:00 pm on Tuesdays, premieres on May 20.

Nolasco to Guest-Star on Fox’s “Gang Related”

Amaury Nolasco is joining the gang of Fox’s new midseason drama…

The 42-year-old Puerto Rican actor will guest star in at least one episode of the network’s gritty drama Gang Related, which stars Ramon Rodriguez.

Amaury Nolasco

Gang Related centers on Ryan Lopez (Charlie’s Angels’ Rodriguez), a rising star in an elite Gang Task Force who once belonged to a powerful Latino gang.

Nolasco, who rose to acclaim on Fox’s Prison Break, joins the thriller as Mariano, a quiet, ruthless, terrifying sociopath who heads up a cartel.

Nolasco’s most recent TV credits include ABC’s short-lived Work It and TNT’s Rizzoli & Isles.

Saundra Santiago, Terry O’Quinn (Lost), Jay Hernandez (Nashville), RZA (Californication), Shantel VanSanten (One Tree Hill), Lela Loren, Cliff Curtis (Trauma), Sung Kang (Fast & Furious), Inbar Lavi (Underemployed) and Reynaldo Gallegos (Sons of Anarchy) round out the cast.

Gang Related bows in 2014.

Anthony-Rodriguez Cast in Fox’s Midseason Drama “Gang Related”

Philip Anthony-Rodriguez is going undercover…

The Latino actor has landed a recurring role on Fox’s midseason series Gang Related.

Philip Anthony-Rodriguez

The action drama centers on Ryan Lopez (portrayed by Ramon Rodriguez), a gang member sent in to infiltrate the San Francisco Police Department.

Anthony-Rodriguez, best known for portraying Ruben Enriquez in the ABC Family television series The Secret Life of the American Teenager, will play Agent Billy Cabrera, an undercover agent working for the Treasury Department.

His other credits include guest-starring roles on the Disney Channel’s Hannah Montana and Shake It Up, as well as ABC’s Castle.

Santiago Lands Key Role in Fox’s Drama “Gang Related”

Saundra Santiago is returning to television…

The 56-year-old Puerto Rican and Cuban American actress has joined the cast of Fox‘s midseason drama Gang Related.

Saundra Santiago

Santiago, best known for her role as Detective Gina Calabrese on Miami Vice, replaces Wizards of Waverly Place star Maria Canals-Barrera on the Ramon Rodriguez-starrer, according to The Hollywood Reporter has learned.

The drama centers on Ryan (Rodriguez), a gang member sent in to infiltrate the San Francisco Police Department and rise through its ranks. He must balance obligations to his crime family with an increasing sense of loyalty to his new “family” — the SFPD’s Gang Task Force.

Santiago will recur as Marciela, Javier’s (Cliff Curtis) wife and mother to Carlos (Reynaldo Gallegos) and Dante (Jay Hernandez). Though they’re not related by blood, she considers Ryan to be a third son.

In addition to Miami Vice, Santiago’s credits include Guiding Light, The Sopranos, Damages and One Life to Live.

An exact premiere date for Gang Related has yet to be announced.

Loren Joins the Cast of Fox’s “Gang Related”

Lela Loren will have to choose between two hunky Latinos this upcoming television season.

The Latina actress has been cast in a major recurring role on Fox’s new drama Gang Related.

Lela Loren

Starring Ramon Rodriguez, the series centers on Ryan Lopez, a gang member sent in to infiltrate the San Francisco Police Department.

Loren will portray Sylvia, a woman caught between her ex-boyfriend Ryan, and her current fiancé Dante Acosta (portrayed by Jay Hernandez), gang lord Javier Acosta’s son and Ryan’s best friend since childhood.

Loren’s credits include television appearances on Covert Affairs, The Closer, The Mentalist and Lost, as well as a film role in The Hangover Part III, which was released earlier this year.

Rodriguez’s “Need for Speed” to Open in March 2014

Ramon Rodriguez’s speeding days have been pushed back…

The release of the 33-year-old Puerto Rican actor’s latest film Need for Speed has been pushed back to a later date next year.

Ramon Rodriguez

The film will now open in U.S. theaters on March 14, 2014, five weeks later than its original release date of February 7, 2014.

Need for Speed will now avoid going up against Warner Bros Lego and Sony/Columbia’s Robocop and so far has the March 14th spot to itself.

The Scott Waugh-directed action flick focuses on ’70s-style fast-paced, high-octane cars and Tobey Marshall (portrayed by Aaron Paul), who races at impossible speeds from New York to LA to get revenge on the man who killed his best friend.

It also stars Kid Cudi, Dominic Cooper and Imogen Poots.

Rodriguez, who starred as Bosley in ABC’s short-lived reboot of Charlie’s Angles, appeared in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen and The Taking of Pelham 123.