Adam Rodriguez Among Six Original “Criminal Minds” Cast Members In Talks For Show’s Paramount+ Revival

Adam Rodriguez may be returning to his Criminal roots…

The 46-year-old Puerto Rican and Cuban American actor is among the original cast members reportedly in final talks to star in the Criminal Minds revival for Paramount+.

Adam RodriguezIn addition to Rodriguez, other fan favorite cast members who’ve reportedly agreed to come back include Joe MantegnaKirsten VangsnessA.J. Cook, Aisha Tyler and Paget Brewster, subject to closing their deals and availability.

Contract talks with Rodriguez and the other original cast members have been put on hold, according to Deadline, as Criminal Minds lead studio, ABC Signature, is focusing on making a deal with the series’ longtime executive producer/showrunner Erica Messer.

Negotiations with Messer, who has an overall pact with the studio, are still ongoing, with the two sides getting closer to a deal.

A license agreement for a 10-episode new season of Criminal Minds has been reached between Paramount+ and the studios behind the crime drama, ABC Signature and CBS Studios.

Rodriguez and the other five originals represent the majority of Criminal Minds’ cast in its 15th and final season.

The original series, created by Jeff Davis, follows a group of criminal profilers who work for the FBI as members of its Behavioral Analysis Unit, using behavioral analysis and profiling to investigate crimes and find perpetrators. The group is led by Senior Agent David Rossi (Mantegna) and includes Agents JJ Jareau (Cook), Tara Lewis (Tyler) and Luke Alvez (Rodriguez) as well as Technical Analyst Penelope Garcia (Vangsness) and Unit Chief Emily Prentiss (Brewster).

The classic broadcast procedural is being serialized for binge-driven streaming consumption, with the team coming back together to investigate a single case over 10 episodes in the new season for Paramount+.

Criminal Minds is among ViacomCBS’ most prized titles in the streaming era. It had been a top performer on Netflix since before the streamer started releasing viewership information. While Paramount+ has all 15 seasons, Netflix carries the first 12. They accounted for 33.9 billion minutes of viewing on the global platform, making it the most watched title on Netflix in 2021. Criminal Minds also was the third-most-streamed series in 2020 on Netflix behind The Office and Grey’s Anatomy, with 590M hours viewed.

Oscar Nuñez to Star in Netflix’s Quarantine Anthology Series “Social Distance”

Oscar Nuñez is keeping his distance…

The 61-year-old Cuban actor and comedian has been cast in Netflix’s upcoming quarantine anthology series Social Distance.

Oscar Nuñez

Hailing from Orange is the New Black creator Jenji Kohan, the series will also star Scandal’s Guillermo Diaz, Love Victor’s Isabella Ferreira, Katy Keene & In The Heights star Daphne Rubin-Vega, Danielle Brooks, Mike Colter Asante Blackk, Peter Scanavino, Lachlan Watson, Max Jenkins and Marsha Stephanie Blake.

Set in the initial months of the COVID-19 pandemic, Social Distance is an eight-part anthology series that showcases the power of the human spirit in the face of uncertainty and isolation. Each standalone episode is told through a virtual lens and captures the unique emotional experience of being forced apart by circumstance and having no choice but to communicate remotely and rely on technology to maintain any sense of connection. Through these varied and deeply human stories, Social Distance aims to provide some much-needed catharsis during a tumultuous time while also capturing a snapshot of this singular moment in history.

The project was conceived, cast and executed entirely remotely during quarantine. The writers never met during the writing process, Diego Velasco directs talent remotely, Hilary Weisman Graham runs production from her living room and the cast acts and films themselves from home. Some of the actors’ real-life relatives also guest star in the series.

“Many of these stories required casting actors who were quarantined with other actors. That hurdle seriously hindered our options and so casting non-actors was sometimes essential,” said Weisman Graham on the decision to cast actors’ family members. “It was definitely a roll of the dice, but thankfully, we were thrilled to discover that talent really does breed talent. These family members may not have had aspirations to be in front of the camera when we first started, but they should all quit their day jobs immediately.”

Weisman Graham, who also serves as showrunner, executive produces with Tara Herrmann, Blake McCormick and Kohan. Velasco, who directed an episode of Orange Is the New Black and is working with Kohan on her upcoming series Teenage Bounty Hunters is directing and will co-executive produce.

Social Distance cast members include (in no particular episodic order):

Danielle Brooks with real-life mother LaRita Brooks and brother DJ Brooks; Marsha Stephanie Blake with real-life daughter Rocco Luna; Misha Brooks; Isabella Ferreira; Oscar Nunez; Daphne Rubin-Vega with real-life husband Tom Costanzo and son Luca Costanzo; Guillermo Diaz; Miguel Sandoval; Camila Perez; Olli Haaskivi; Giana Aragon; Mike Colter; Okieriete Onaodowan; real-life spouses Heather Burns and Ajay; Shakira Barrera; Steven Weber with real-life son Jack Hohnen-Weber; Helena Howard; Asante Blackk with real-life father Ayize Ma’at; Lovie Simone;

Max Jenkins; Brian Jordan Alvarez; Peter Vack; Rana Roy; Peter Scanavino with real-life son Leo Bai-Scanavino; Ali Ahn; Tami Sagher; Barbara Rosenblat; Michael Mulheren; real-life spouses Becky Ann Baker and Dylan Baker; Sunita Mani; real-life spouses Raymond Anthony Thomas and Marcia Debonis; Kylie Liya Page; Lachlan Watson; David Iacono; Will Meyers; Niles Fitch; and Ava Demary.

Nuñez is best known for starring on NBC’s The Office.

Ortiz to Guest Star on TBS’ “The Guest Book”

John Ortiz has signed in…

The 48-year-old Puerto Rican actor will guest star on TBSThe Guest Book, the new 10-episode comedy series from My Name Is Earl’s Greg Garcia.

John Ortiz

The Guest Book emerged from Garcia’s habit of writing fictitious stories in the guest books of various rental cabins in an effort to freak out the next renters. Now he is bringing some of those stories to life on screen centering on the vacation home Froggy Cottage and its visitors. While the house and cast of characters living in this small mountain town remain the same, each episode will feature a different set of vacationing guests.

The anthology-style show, written by Garcia and executive produced by him and Alix Jaffe, will premiere in August.

It will star Kellie Martin (Army Wives), Charlie Robinson (Hart of Dixie), Aloma Wright (Suits), Carly Jibson (Broadway’s Hairspray), Lou Wilson (Tween Fest), Garret Dillahunt (The Mindy Project), Laura Bell Bundy (Scream Queens) and Eddie Steeples (My Name Is Earl).

Martin will play Officer Kimberly Leahy, who serves on the police force in the small mountain town of Mount Trace. Robinson is Wilfrid, an easygoing, friendly gentleman who manages a group of mountain rental cottages with his wife, Emma, played by recurring guest star Wright. Jibson is Vivian, a tough, strong-willed woman who runs a bikini bar called Chubbys with her stepson Frank, played by Wilson.

In addition to Ortiz, other guest stars include Danny Pudi (Community), Jenna Fischer (The Office), Tommy Dewey (The Mindy Project), Lauren Lapkus (Orange Is the new Black), Michaela Watkins (Casual), Mary Lynn Rajskub (24), Michael Rapaport (Sully), Kate Micucci (Raising Hope), Jaime Pressly (My Name Is Earl), Stockard Channing (The Good Wife), Andrew J. West (The Walking Dead), David Zayas (Gotham), Shannon Woodward (Westworld), Margo Martindale (The Good Wife) and Stephnie Weir (The Comedians).

Nuñez to Serve as a Presenter at the Television Academy’s Creative Arts Emmys

Oscar Nuñez is getting creative

The Television Academy has announced the second wave of presenters for the Creative Arts Emmys on September 10 and 11, with the 57-year-old Cuban actor and comedian making the list.

Oscar Nuñez

The former The Office star is set to present on Sunday, along with Michelle AngRob CorddrySeth GreenTim GunnRobert HerjavecJulianne HoughCarly Rae JepsenKatharine McPhee  and Gloria Steinem.

Saturday nightspresenters include Linda EllerbeeChris HardwickKen JeongMargo MartindaleLaurie Metcalf and Martin Mull.

For the first time, the Creative Emmy Awards will be held over two consecutive nights at the Microsoft Theater.

FXX will air the 2016 Creative Arts Emmy Awards on September 17.

Armisen’s IFC mockumentray series “Documentary Now!” Premiering in September

It’s anchors aweigh for Fred Armisen

IFC is set to kick off its new season of its mockumentary television series Documentary Now!, starring the 49-year-old half-Venezuelan actor and former Saturday Night Live star, Bill Hader and Seth Meyers, on September 14.

Fred Armisen

Co-created by Armisen, Hader, Meyers and Rhys Thomas, Documentary Now! lovingly parodies some of the world’s best-known documentaries

The new season will being with a send-up of the 1993 political docu The War Room, about Bill Clinton’s campaign for POTUS in ’92. Hader reprises his James Carville, while Armisen, in a memorable wig, portrays Good Morning America anchor and political correspondent George Stephanopoulos.

Hader said they decided to spoof The War Room because it’s a documentray that affected comedy series for years to come, citing The Larry Sanders Show and The Office. “It started with that documentary,” he said.

Plus, Carville and Stephanopoulos “were two characters Fred and I could play,” Hader said. “We could totally play those characters”

Anne Hathaway, Mia Farrow, Peter Bogdanovich and Peter Fonda guest on this season of Documentary Now!

The mocumentary series is produced by Broadway Video.

Nuñez Earns His First-Ever Primetime Emmy Nomination

Oscar Nuñez is having an Emmy-otional week…

The Television Academy has announced the nominees for the 2016 Primetime Emmy Awards, with the 57-year-old Cuban actor and comedian earning his first career nomination.

Oscar Nuñez

Nuñez, best known for his SAG Award-winning role on NBC‘s The Office, picked up the nod in the Outstanding Actor In A Short Form Comedy Or Drama Series category for his performance in the History Channel‘s The Crossroads of History. 

Anthony Mendez has picked up his second consecutive nomination in the Outstanding Narrator category for narrating the CW‘s Jane the Virgin. Mendez faces stiff competition from the likes of Hollywood A-Listers Adrien Brody and Laurence Fishburne.

Fred Armisen has earned his fourth nomination in the Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series for co-writing IFC’s Portlandia. The 49-year-old half-Venezuelan actor and former Saturday Night Live star co-created the sketch-comedy series, which that parodies life in Portland, Oregon, with Carrie Brownstein and Jonathan Krisel.

Goya Award-nominee Victor Reyes has picked up the first two Emmy nominations of his career. The 54-year-old Spanish composer earned nods in the Outstanding Music Composition For A Limited Series, Movie Or Special (Original Dramatic Score) and Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music categories for his musical work on AMC’s series The Night Manager.

He’ll face off against Rodrigo Amarante in the Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music category. The Brazilian singer-songwriter picked up his first Emmy nod for his musical work on Netflix’s series Narcos.

The 68th annual Primetime Emmy Awards will broadcast live at 5 p.m. PT Sunday, Sept. 18 on ABC.

Nunez to Star in TBS’ Ensemble Alien Abduction Comedy Pilot “The Group”

Oscar Nunez is a Father figure…

The 56-year-old Cuban actor and former The Office star will star in TBS’ ensemble alien abduction comedy pilot The Group (working title) from The Office creator Greg Daniels.

Oscar Nunez

Former Daily Show correspondent and writer Wyatt Cenac will play Wyatt Jones, a serious journalist in the town of Beacon who is pulled into covering the alien abductions that have been occurring.

Nunez will play hip priest Father Doug, who manages the community room rentals at Our Lady of Sorrows in Beacon.

Former Saturday Night Live alum Ana Gasteyer is playing Gina Morrison, a disgraced, though, competent therapist who runs a support group for alien abductees while working part time at a home furnishing chain store.

Alice Wetterlund will portray Kelly Grady, a goofy attractive girl who works as a temp and perpetually dates jerks.

As Gerry Johnson, Luka Jones is a social dropout and tollbooth worker who knows a lot about aliens.

Tracee Chimo is set to portray Chelsea Healey, a high-strung soul in the body of a housewife who is masking something much darker.

Da’Vine Joy Randolph’s Yvonne Watson is the best door-to-door cosmetic salesperson on the Eastern seaboard in The Group.

Marylouise Burke portrays Margaret Flood, the sex-crazed retiree in Beacon’s retirement community.

Good Lands Recurring Role on NBC’s Upcoming Comedy Series “Mr. Robinson”

Meagan Good has been Rob(inson)ed..

The 33-year-old part-Puerto Rican actress has signed on for a major recurring role on NBC’s upcoming comedy series Mr. Robinson.

Meagan Good

The six-episode sitcom stars The Office alum Craig Robinson as a journeyman musician who gets a job as a music teacher at a middle school.

Good, who guest-starred on NBC’s Law & Order: SVU, will play Victoria Wavers, a successful former Wall Street trader who left to pursue her true calling as a high school English teacher.

She replaces Lenora Crichlow, who played the part in the project’s new pilot under executive producers/showrunners Mark Cullen and Rob Cullen.

Good will have a recurring status on Mr. Robinson, making her available for pilot season.

She’s already been approached under her talent holding deal with NBC, which reunites her with the network where she toplined drama series Deception.

Nuñez to Star in the USA Network’s Comedy “Benched”

Oscar Nuñez is getting benched

In his first post-The Office television role, the 55-year-old Cuban actor will star in the newly picked-up USA Network comedy series Benched.

Oscar Nuñez

From ABC Signature and the Mark Gordon Co., the courtroom comedy focuses on Nina (portrayed by Eliza Coupe), a dedicated, career-driven corporate attorney who has a very public nervous breakdown after getting passed up for an expected promotion, and finds herself working as a public defender.

Nuñez will play a public defender and colleague in Nina’s new office.

Nuñez, a Groundlings alum, is best known for playing Oscar Martinez on NBC’s The Office for the series’ entire nine-season run.

Nuñez, who was a major scene-stealer in Sandra Bullock’s The Proposal, will next be seen in the Chilean miner film The 33.

Nuñez to Star in NBC’s “Holding Patterns” Comedy Pilot

Oscar Nuñez may not be out of work for long following the series finale of NBC’s The Office this May.

The 54-year-old Cuba-born actor has joined the cast of NBC’s comedy pilot Holding Patterns.

Oscar Nuñez

Nuñez will portray Mickey, an urbane New York literary agent representing Chad Kirk (Nelson Franklin), a womanizing book author and one of a group of friends whose lives completely change after they survive a plane crash.

Nuñez has spent the last nine seasons as part of supporting cast of the network’s award-winning series about the fictional Dunder Mifflin Paper Company.

He’s won two SAG Awards, an ALMA Award and a TV Land Award for portraying paper supply accountant Oscar Martinez on The Office. And the National Hispanic Media Coalition also honored him with an Impact Award.