HBO Max Renews Zion Moreno’s “Gossip Girl” for Second Season

Posted on September 10, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

There’s more gossip in Zion Moreno’s future…

HBO Max has renewed its Gossip Girl reboot, starring the 26-year-old Mexican American actress/model, for season 2 ahead.

The news comes ahead of the release of the second part of its debut season, which is set to premiere in November.

Gossip Girl is a reboot of a CW original series of the same name which is set 9 years after the original website went dark.

The new iteration of Gossip Girl, written by showrunner Joshua Safran, is based on the book by Cecily von Ziegesar and the original show, developed by Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage, which ran from 2007-2012.

The HBO Max series follows a new generation of New York private school teens who are introduced to the social surveillance of Gossip Girl. The series explores just how much social media — and the landscape of New York itself — has changed in the intervening years.

In addition to Moreno, season one also stars Jordan Alexander, Eli Brown, Thomas Doherty, Tavi Gevinson, Emily Alyn Lind, Evan Mock, Whitney Peak, and Savannah Lee Smith with Todd Almond, Adam Chanler-Berat, Johnathan Fernandez, and Jason Gotay.

Executive producers include Schwartz and Savage of Fake Empire and Leslie Morgenstein and Gina Girolamo of Alloy Entertainment. Lis Rowinski of Fake Empire serves as co-executive producer.

The reboot was hailed by the steamer as its most-watched original series over the first weekend of availability. It also saw record viewership over the first four days of availability. The first episode opened to viewers in 555,000 U.S. households, per Samba TV.

The first six episodes of the first half of season 1 are currently available to stream via HBO Max.

HBO Max Releases First Trailer for Zion Moreno’s “Gossip Girl” Reboot, Premiering in July

Posted on May 30, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Zion Moreno is bringing the X’s and O’s this July…

HBO Max has dropped the first teaser trailer and poster art for the Gossip Girl reboot, starring the 28-year-old Mexican American actress/model, and set a premiere date of July 8 for the show.

The teaser promises to deliver Gossip Girl’s usual sultry shenanigans but all now set in the smartphone era, where beautiful influencers carefully police their image on social media. Not that our narrator cares much for how her contemporaries project, as she makes clear in the trailer message, which she ends with her famous signature.

“Thinking you’re in control of your image, your actions, the narrative. But you forgot one thing: I can see you. And before I’m through, I’ll make sure you see me too. XOXO,” says our New York gossip queen.

In addition to Moreno, who portrays Luna, the series also stars Jordan Alexander, Eli Brown, Thomas Doherty, Tavi Gevinson, Emily Alyn Lind, Evan Mock, Whitney Peak and Savannah Lee Smith. The poster is each emblazoned with either an X or an O.

Gossip Girl is produced by Fake Empire and Alloy Entertainment in association with Warner Bros. Television and CBS Studios. The series is written, executive produced and was developed by Joshua Safran of Random Acts.

Karena Evans directs two episodes, and original costume designer Eric Daman rejoins the series.

Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage created and ran the original series. They also serve as EPs on the reboot.

Jenna Ortega to Star in Netflix’s Addams Family-Themed Series “Wednesday”

Posted on May 20, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Jenna Ortega is all about Hump Day…

The 18-year-old Puerto Rican and Mexican American actress has landed the title role in Wednesday, Tim Burton’s live-action Addams Family series for Netflix focused on the iconic character of Wednesday Addams.

The coming-of-age comedy, written by Smallville creators Al Gough and Miles Millar and to be directed by Burton, is a sleuthing, supernaturally infused mystery charting Wednesday Addams’ (Ortega) years as a student at Nevermore Academy. That’s where she attempts to master her emerging psychic ability, thwart a monstrous killing spree that has terrorized the local town, and solve the supernatural mystery that embroiled her parents 25 years ago — all while navigating her new and very tangled relationships.

The YA series, Wednesday Addams’ first solo vehicle, marks Burton’s first live-action show and his television directing debut.

Ortega is taking over the role from Christina Ricci, the actress most closely associated the character, who played Wednesday in both feature films, The Addams Family in 1991 and sequel Addams Family Values in 1993.

Burton executive produces with Gough and Millar, who will serve as showrunners on the series. Wednesday is produced by MGM Television, which controls the underlying rights to the IP.

Ortega burst onto the scene in 2014 with two major recurring roles on Fox’s Rake and the CW’s Jane the Virgin. The latter, where Ortega played younger version of the title character, put her on the map, and Ortega quickly landed her first series lead role on Disney Channel’s Stuck In the Middle.

A lead role on Season 2 of Netflix’s You followed. On the streamer, Ortega also recently co-starred in hit feature comedy Yes Day.

Her recent feature credits also include leads in The Fallout and the upcoming Scream.

Ortega shared the news on Instagram:

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A post shared by Jenna Ortega (@jennaortega)

Paramount+ Gives 10-Episode Series Order to “The Game” Reboot, Starring Original Cast Member Hosea Chanchez

Posted on May 13, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Hosea Chanchez is getting back in the game…

Paramount+ has given a 10-episode series order to its reboot of The CW and BET dramedy The Game, with the 47-year-old Dominican American actor and fellow original cast member Wendy Raquel Robinson reprising their roles.

Robinson, who also stars in Insecure, will return as sports agent Tasha Mack, and Chanchez, who stars in Black Lightning, returns as footballer Malik Wright with several other legacy cast members making special appearances.

The series, which was created by Mara Brock Akil, originally launched as a half-hour comedy on The CW and ran for three seasons on the broadcast network. It subsequently moved to BET for six further seasons, breaking cable records, and became an hour-long dramedy.

The reboot, which was initially unveiled at Paramount+’s investor presentation, will be a half-hour series and will see American Soul’s Devon Greggory as showrunner and writer

The new series will relocate from San Diego to Las Vegas and will see new players offer a modern-day examination of Black culture through the prism of pro football. The team will tackle racism, sexism, classism and more as they fight for fame, fortune, respect and love—all while trying to maintain their souls as they each play The Game.

The 10-episode series is produced by CBS Studios, Akil Productions and Grammnet NH Productions.

“Fifteen years ago, I created The Game and am so proud of the success we had, and that I was able to create characters and stories that resonated with so many people,” said Mara Brock Akil. “I couldn’t be happier about leaving my beloved characters like Tasha Mack and Malik Wright in the hands of Devon, Wendy and Hosea, who I know will build off of the rich foundation the show has.”

“From the moment it debuted, The Game was a groundbreaking series that used humor, heart and memorable characters to explore real issues involving race, gender and, of course, football,” added Julie McNamara, Executive Vice President and Head of Programming, Paramount+. “What better time for Devon and the whole team to reunite for a fresh look at a world that has only become more at-the-center of the cultural conversation today.”

“The Game is a show I faithfully watched, with characters I grew to love, and now I have the honor of guiding them into the future,” said Greggory. “I’m simply thrilled to be hand-selected by Mara, Julie and CBS Studios to take over the creative reins of such an iconic and culturally significant series.”

“I love this show,” added Grammer. “I am very excited to see this new turn in its life and excited to wave the Paramount+ banner, as well. Grammnet NH Productions has been in business a long time and proudly explored diverse and inclusive material for decades. I am really looking forward to seeing this show on the air.”

Angelique Cabral to Star in ABC’s Comedy Pilot “Maggie”

Posted on April 6, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Angelique Cabral lands new project…

The 42-year-old part-Mexican American actress will star opposite Rebecca Rittenhouse in the ABC comedy pilot Maggie, based on Tim Curcio’s short film.

Cabral joins a roster of new series regular cast additions that includes half-Honduran American actress Chloe Bridges, Nichole Sakura and Kerri Kenney.

The project hails from Maggie Mull, daughter of actor Martin Mull, and Justin Adler. 20th Television produces. Natalia Anderson has been tapped to direct the pilot.

In addition to Rittenhouse, Sakura, Cabral, Bridges and Kenney join previously announced series regulars David Del Rio, Chris Elliott, Ray Ford and Leonardo Nam.

Written by Mull and Adler and directed by Anderson, the single-camera comedy follows a young woman (Rittenhouse) who tries to cope with life while coming to terms with her abilities as a psychic. She can see everyone’s future, but her present is a mess.

Sakura plays Louise, Maggie’s best friend since childhood. She is funny, single and ready to mingle, all the time. But make no mistake, Louise gets knocked down repeatedly and somehow she will always get right back up with an even better attitude, full of hope and belief that her life is going to somehow work out.

Cabral will play Amy, Ben’s (Del Rio) older sister. She’s basically the world’s most uptight hippie. A vegan baker who is all about ethical living and sustainable cooking, Amy’s found herself more caught up in the social media pressures of being a food Instagram star promoting that idea than actually helping the world.

Bridges will portray Jessie, Ben’s (Del Rio) girlfriend and Maggie’s (Rittenhouse) neighbor in the duplex. She’s friendly without seeming inauthentic, full of natural kindness and warmth.

Cabral’s credits include the series regular role of Colleen on the CBS’ comedy series Life In Pieces, the female lead on the Fox comedy series Enlisted, co-starring in the Amazon animated series Undone, co-starring in the indie film Band Aid, and recurring on Grace and Frankie for Netflix.

Bridges is best known for her role of Donna LaDonna in the CW’s The Carrie Diaries and her role as Sydney Driscoll in Pretty Little Liars. She most recently appeared in the recurring roles of Paloma on ABC’s Schooled, Tessa on the CW’s Charmed, and Roxy on Netflix’s Insatiable.

Mareya Salazar to Appear on The CW’s “Charmed” Reboot

Posted on March 31, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Mareya Salazar is living a charmed life…

The Venezuelan-Canadian trans actress has joined the cast of The CW’s series Charmed in a recurring role for the reboot of the spellbinding series.

The casting marks the second transgender actor to join this season.

In November, Deadline exclusively broke the news that JJ Hawkins joined the cast in the recurring role of Kevin, a transgender male college student who inspires one of the Charmed Ones to take on a very formidable opponent.

With Salazar and Hawkins, Charmed continues to move the needle when it comes to bolstering authentic representation of the trans community.

Salazar is set to play Joséfina, the Charmed Ones’ second cousin. She is described as a strong, opinionated young woman who shows up on their doorstep with surprises and secrets. She also has a mission of her own.

Salazar was active in theater throughout high school and college before she was discovered at Atlantic Canada’s Top Model and Actor event. She was recently seen in the Dutch romantic comedy, Verliefd Op Cuba.

Her role as Joséfina marks a new chapter for the actress as it is her first foray into television.

Ilia Isorelýs Paulino to Star in HBO Max’s “The Sex Lives of College Girls”

Posted on March 15, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Ilia Isorelýs Paulino is college bound…

The Latina actress has been cast as a series regular in The Sex Lives of College Girls, Mindy Kaling’s upcoming comedy series at HBO Max.

Paulino joins a roster of cast newcomers that includes Midori Francis, Gavin Leatherwood, Christopher Meyer, Lauren “Lolo” Spencer and Renika Williams.

They join previously announced Pauline Chalamet, Amrit Kaur, Reneé Rapp, and Alyah Chanelle Scott who star as four roommates and students at the prestigious New England Essex College.

Paulino plays “Lila” in the series.

Kaling and showrunner Justin Noble co-wrote the first episode and executive produce with Howard Klein. The series is produced by Kaling International in association with Warner Bros. Television.

Paulino graduated from Yale drama school this past spring. In addition to being part of the WB inaugural Actors in Training program, Paulino just completed filming her first feature Queenpins with Kristen Bell. Sex Lives of College Girls is her first series.

Valentina Garza Signs with William Morris Endeavor (WME)

Posted on March 12, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a new endeavor for Valentina Garza.

The 45-year-old Cuban-American writer and producer has signed with William Morris Endeavor (WME).

Garza, whose credits include co-executive producer roles on the CW’s Jane the Virgin and ABC’s The Baker and the Beauty, is currently under an overall deal at Universal Television.

She also wrote and executive produced the Jane spinoff pilot Jane the Novela; the project ended up not going forward. She also has developed for Lee Daniels Productions/20th as well as ABC Studios/ABC.

This most recent development season, Garza sold a Latinx family drama to NBC. It revolved around an explosive incident that brings a woman’s mentally ill mother crashing back into her life. She’s now forced to revisit her family’s painful past and blur carefully constructed boundaries between her mother and the family she’s chosen.

The project explores themes of race, mental health, housing instability, immigration and generational trauma.

Earlier in her career, Garza spent six seasons on Fox’s The Simpsons rising to supervising producer, then served as supervising producer on Fox’s Bordertown.

Nadine Velazquez to Star in ABC’s Pilot “Queens”

Posted on March 9, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Nadine Velazquez is hoping to become television royalty…

The 42-year-old Puerto Rican actress will star opposite Brandy, Eve and Naturi Naughton in ABC’s hour-long pilot Queens, from Zahir McGhee, Sabrina Wind and ABC Signature.

In Queens, written by McGhee and directed by Tim Story, four estranged and out-of-touch women in their 40s — Naomi (Brandy), Jill (Naughton), Brianna (Eve) and Valeria (Velazquez) — reunite for a chance to recapture their fame and regain the swagger they had as the Nasty Bitches – their ’90s group that made them legends in the hip-hop world.

Velazquez plays Valeria, aka Butter Pecan. Better known in the 90s as Puerto Rican rapper, Butter Pecan, Valeria is the fourth member of the hip-hop group, the Nasty Bitches. Valeria wasn’t an original member, added by the groups’ manager, Eric, for her effortless star quality. It worked. The ladies catapulted into superstardom with a number-one record and iconic video. Valeria quickly became the face of the group, ruffling the other members’ feathers along the way. But she could care less. She’s not here for friends, she’s here to win. Valeria is an ambitious and ruthless hustler with cunning charm born out of a difficult childhood. When we catch up with her twenty years later, she’s the only member of the group still in the limelight. Valeria hosts The Shade — America’s top-rated morning talk show. So, Valeria has no reason to reunite with the group when the opportunity arises. However, when her blind ambition trips her up, Valeria considers turning back to the only family she’s ever had: the Nasty Bitches.

Pepi Sonuga co-stars in the pilot. ABC Signature, part of Disney Television Studios, is the studio.

Velazquez wrote and is set to star/produce La’Tina, a series in the works at Showtime from Will Smith’s Westbrook Studios and Frankie Shaw’s Our Lady Productions.

She’s best known for her breakout lead role as Catalina on NBC’s My Name Is Earl. She co-starred in the History series Six and in Universal’s Ride Along 2.

Her series credits also include major roles on FX’s The League, the CW’s Hart of Dixie and TNT’s Major Crimes.

Bella Ortiz to Star Opposite Caitlin Kinnunen in the CW’s Untitled Drama Pilot from Jennie Snyder Urman

Posted on March 9, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Bella Ortiz is taking her religious vows…

The Chilean actress has been cast as the co-lead opposite Caitlin Kinnunen in the CW’s untitled drama pilot executive produced by Jennie Snyder Urman.

Written by Claire Rothrock and Ryann Weir and directed by Tessa Blake, the project centers on two millennial nuns – a devout true believer (Kinnunen), and a new arrival (Ortiz) who has yet to take her final vows – who start as strangers and become sisters on a funny, spiritual journey to understand their own faith and place in the Catholic church.

Kinnunen’s Sister Frances is the complacent angel on your shoulder, an impressionable, people-pleasing, young nun who believes in the power of thoughts and prayers and never breaks the rules — until she meets Sr. Maggie.

Ortiz’s Sister Maggie is the daredevil on your shoulder, a radical, millennial nun hellbent on shaking up the power structures of the Catholic Church while being of service to her Brooklyn neighborhood. She can’t help but get into trouble, which is why she’ll need Sr. Frances.

Ortiz is an up-and-coming actress who started her acting career on stage and television post-college in Chicago. She’ll next be seen in the teen horror-thriller feature American Carnage, opposite Jenna Ortega and Jorge Lendeborg Jr.

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