Hemky Madera Signs with Stewart Talent

Posted on March 6, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Hemky Madera has new representation…

The 47-year-old Dominican American actor has signed with Stewart Talent for representation.

Madera is best known for his work as a series regular in USA Network’s Queen of the South across the drama’s five seasons. Madera worked closely alongside Alice Braga starring as her character Teresa Mendoza’s loyal right-hand man and ride-or-die, Pote Gálvez. The series is an adaptation of Telemundo’s hit telenovela La Reina del Sur starring Kate del Castillo as Teresa.

Most recently, Madera reunited with Queen of the South co-showrunner Dailyn Rodriguez on Season 2 of the hit Netflix series The Lincoln Lawyer, which Rodriguez co-showruns and executive produces alongside Ted Humphries. Madera played Agent Felix Vasquez.

His additional television credits include HBO’s Perry Mason, The Mandalorian for Disney+, Netflix’s Kaleidoscope, ABC’s The Good Doctor, IFC’s Brockmire, Showtime’s Weeds and Acapulco for Apple TV+, among others.

On the film side, he played Mr. Delmar in Spider-Man: Homecoming. His other big-screen credits include Muzzle (2023) alongside Aaron Eckhart; Bad Hombres (2023) co-starring Thomas Jane and Luke Hemsworth; Satanic Hispanics (2022) as Vampiro; The Happy Time Murders (2018); and Rango (2011).

The New York-born actor began his career in the theater in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic and continued on the stages of The Big Apple.

His credits include Inverse Theater’s production of Icarus and Aria and the New York Spanish Repertoire’s production of Feast of the Goat.

He continues to be represented by Luber Roklin for management and attorney Peter Sample.

Shakira Barrera to Star in Marvel Studios’ “Ironheart

Posted on September 7, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Shakira Barrera has ironed out her latest plans…

The Nicaraguan-American actress/dancer has joined the cast of Marvel Studios’ Ironheart as a series regular, according to Deadline.com.

The six-episode series created by Chinaka Hodge will star Dominique Thorne as Marvel character Riri Williams, a genius inventor and creator of the most advanced suit of armor since Iron Man.

The previously announced members of the cast include Anthony Ramos, Manny Montana, Alden Ehrenreich, Regan Aliyah, Shea Couleé and Zoe Terakes.

Sam Bailey and Angela Barnes are directing, with Ryan Coogler’s Proximity among the production entities.

Coogler, Ironheart head writer Chinaka Hodge, Zinzi Coogler, and Sev Ohanian serve as executive producers alongside Marvel Studios’ Kevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Brad Winderbaum and Zoie Nagelhout.

Barrera can currently be seen as a series regular in the Freevee series Sprung opposite Garrett Dillahunt and Martha Plimpton. She also recently wrapped a recurring arc in OWN’s legal drama All Rise as part of the show’s third season.

She’s notably known for her portrayal of lady wrestler Yolanda in GLOW and Lulu in It’s Bruno, both for Netflix.

Her other TV credits include TNT’s Animal Kingdom, Showtime’s Shameless, and USA Network’s Queen of the South.

On the film side, she appeared in Daniela Garcia’s short film Huella, The Collection opposite Alex Pettyfer, and The Knocking opposite Shiloh Fernandez.

Outside of acting, Barrera serves as a goodwill ambassador for organizations that specialize in humanitarian aid in Nicaragua.

Natalie Chaidez Signs Exclusive, Multi-Year Deal with Warner Bros. Television

Posted on April 5, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Natalie Chaidez has been warn(er)ed.

The Latina television writer and producer has signed an exclusive, multi-year deal with Warner Bros. Television.

As part of the deal, she’ll develop and create original programming via WBTV for all platforms.

The news comes ahead of HBO Max’s Season 2 premiere of The Flight Attendant on April 21, marking Chaidez’s debut as series executive producer and co-showrunner alongside Steve Yockey.

Chaidez is a veteran creator, executive producer and showrunner who works in both television and features. Prior to joining The Flight Attendant, she served as executive producer and writer on USA Network’s crime drama Queen of the South.

She previously created and executive produced the Syfy drama series Hunters. Her additional TV writing and producing credits include 12 Monkeys, In Plain Sight, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, Heroes, Judging Amy and New York Undercover among many others.

She was nominated for an Emmy and WGA Award for her work on Heroes.

Most recently, Chaidez received a pilot order from Freeform for the coming-of-age story AZNBBGRL, a collaboration with Dinh Thai.

USA Network to Release Cheech Marin’s “Nash Bridges” Reunion TV Film in November

Posted on October 9, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Cheech Marin is crossing the Bridge(s) for a special reunion next month.

USA Network’s two-hour film Nash Bridges, starring the 75-year-old Mexican American actor.comedian, has been given a Thanksgiving weekend premiere date.

It will officially debut on Saturday, November 27.

The movie brings back original cast members Don Johnson and Marin as elite investigators for the San Francisco Police Department’s Special Investigations Unit. The film is part of USA’s modified programming strategy that focuses on event scripted programming. If the movie does well, it could launch a Nash Bridges series revival.

In addition to Johnson and Marin, the film brings back original Nash Bridges cast member Jeff Perry. They are joined in the cast by new additions Joe Dinicol, Diarra Kilpatrick, Angela Ko, Paul James, Alexia Garcia and Bonnie Somerville.

Produced by Village Roadshow Television, which also controls rights to the original series created by Carlton Cuse, the film was written by Bill Chais and directed by Greg Beeman.

Johnson, Chais and Beeman executive produce alongside Cuse, who was not creatively involved in the film.

Nash Bridges originally ran for six seasons (1996-2001) on CBS.

Natalie Chaidez Developing Television Series Based on the Late Oscar “Zeta” Acosta’s Novels

Posted on July 19, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

The late Oscar “Zeta” Acosta’s life story will be getting the Hollywood treatment…

Half-Mexican American television writer/producer Natalie Chaidez has acquired the film and television rights to the late Chicano attorney, politician, novelist and activist’s novels Autobiography of a Brown Buffalo and The Revolt of the Cockroach People.

She will executive produce and supervise writing for an upcoming television series.

Chaidez is developing the project with Joe Loya and Phillip Rodriguez.

Acosta was a Mexican American activist in the Chicano Civil Rights Movement who disappeared in Mexico in 1974, a year after his second novel The Revolt of the Cockroach People was released and is presumed dead. He is also famously known for his friendship with Hunter S. Thomson, who characterized Acosta as Samoan attorney Dr. Gonzo in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.

“Oscar Zeta Acosta has been a passion of mine since I first encountered his books in an East LA library. Acosta’s story is one of the deepest and cinematic stories in the Latinx canon. I’m thrilled to bring his story to life,” Chaidez told Deadline in an exclusive statement.

The televison series will feature elements from both of his published novels, the first is loosely based on his early years, and the second tells real stories from his later years during the Chicano movement while changing the identities of those involved. It’s currently being shopped around to networks and streamers.

Chaidez is currently co-showrunner on the second season of HBO Max’s The Flight Attendant alongside Steve Yockey currently in production. She was previously an executive producer and writer on USA Network’s Queen of the South and served as creator and executive producer of the Syfy drama Hunters.

Alice Braga to Star in Robert Rodriguez’s Thriller “Hypnotic”

Posted on June 1, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Alice Braga has landed a hypnotic role…

The 38-year-old Brazilian actress has joined the cast of Robert Rodriguez’s thriller Hypnotic, starring Ben Affleck.

Cameras are set to roll starting on September 20, in Austin, Texas, after the film’s original start date in April 2020 was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and then insurance issues.

Hypnotic will follow a detective who becomes entangled in a mystery involving his missing daughter and a secret government program while investigating a string of high-end crimes.

The film is written by Sin City and Alita: Battle Angel filmmaker Rodriguez and Max Borenstein. Rodriguez, Studio 8 CEO Jeff Robinov and Studio8’s Guy Danella and John Graham are producing with Solstice.

Solstice has already sold the film well into international markets and is due to release Hypnotic in the U.S.

Braga will next be seen in The Suicide Squad, alongside Margo Robbie, Idris Elba and Viola Davis. She’s known for her starring role in the long-running USA Network series Queen Of The South, Luca Guadagnino’s limited series We Are Who We Are, and was one of the lead voices in Oscar-winning Pixar film Soul.

Alexia Garcia to Star in USA Network’s Upcoming “Nash Bridges” Revival Movie

Posted on May 9, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Alexia Garcia is crossing the Bridges…

The 24-year-old Mexican actress will appear in USA Network’s upcoming Nash Bridges revival.

Returning as a two-hour television movie with stars Don Johnson, Cheech Marin and Jeff Perry reprising their roles, the project will also star Diarra Kilpatrick, Bonnie Somerville, Joe Dinicol, Angela Ko and Paul James. A premiere date hasn’ been announced yet.

The movie brings Johnson and Marin back together as elite investigators for the San Francisco Police Department Special Investigations Unit.

The revival, which has been in development at USA since 2019 as a two-hour movie, comes from Johnson, Bill Chais and Marc Rosen. Village Roadshow Television, which also controls rights to the property, is producing.

Garcia portrays Chloe Zane, a fearless and tech savvy member of the SIU Unit.

The original Nash Bridges series ran on CBS from 1996 to 2001.

Garcia played Aphrodite on Ryan Murphy’s Pose and most recently guest-starred on Law & Order: SVU.

Alice Braga to Star in Innovative Sci-Fi Film “Share”

Posted on May 4, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Alice Braga is ready to share, and share alike…

The 38-year-old Brazilian actress and producer will star in Share, an innovative sci-fi film from The Traveling Picture Show Company, Wavemaker Creative and award-winning commercial director Ira Rosensweig.

Braga will star opposite Melvin Gregg, Bradley Whitford and Danielle Campbell in the film.

Scripted by Benjamin Sutor, Rosensweig’s debut feature follows a man who awakens to find himself stripped of all his possessions, and trapped in a bare room. Aided by a primitive computer, he must learn to survive in his new isolated existence where entertainment is the only currency.

While the actors’ roles have not been disclosed, the indie will reportedly be brought to life using “unique and immersive” filmmaking techniques. Given that each character in the story is physically isolated, the shoot (which is currently underway) called for the construction of multiple identical sets with integrated camera systems, teleprompters, and live event technology.

The system designed for the project allows the actors to fully interact both with each other and the computer interface central to the story in real time, while giving the director and crew a precise pre-visualization of the finished product.

Braga recently lent her voice to Oscar-winning Pixar feature, Soul. On the television side, the actress currently stars in USA Network’s drama, Queen of the South.

She also recently appeared in the HBO series We Are Who We Are, from Luca Guadagnino.

Up next, she’ll appear opposite Margot Robbie, Idris Elba and Viola Davis in James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad.

USA Network to End Alice Braga’s “Queen of the South” with Upcoming Fifth Season

Posted on March 8, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

It’s the end of the road for Alice Braga…

The 37-year-old Brazilian actress’ USA Network drama Queen of the South is ending with its upcoming fifth season, which will mark the end of the NBCU cable net’s long-running scripted series.

Production on Season 5 of the show, which was renewed back in August 2019, was suspended in March 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic and started up again last fall in New Orleans. The 10-episode season – the previous four had 13 each — will premiere at 10 p.m. Wednesday, April 7.

“We could not be prouder of our entire cast and crew that joined us on this magnificent journey,” said executive producers Dailyn Rodriguez, Ben Lobato and David Friendly. “Queen of the South began shooting in Mexico City, brought us to faraway places like Malta and Colombia and finally landed in New Orleans. We cannot wait to share the explosive final season with our devoted fans. And, of course, we could not have made this show without the talented and tireless Alice Braga, who brought our queen to life.”

Braga plays Teresa Mendoza, a woman who is forced to run from the Mexican cartel and seek refuge in America. Queen of the South follows her eventual rise to power over her own drug-trafficking empire.

Season 5 will see Molly Burnett, who plays Kelly Anne, a member of Mendoza’s cartel, upped to series regular, with Pasha Lychnikoff joining in a recurring role as an underworld oligarch and war criminal.

Queen of the South is based on Arturo Pérez-Reverte’s novel La Reina del Sur, which was a popular series for NBCU-owned Spanish-language network. It’s produced by 20^th Century Fox Television and UCP with Friendly, Rodriguez and Lobato as EPs.

“For five incredible seasons, Queen of the South has captivated us with brilliant storytelling and bold, powerful characters,” added Frances Berwick, Chairman, Entertainment Networks. “This series broke boundaries for the genre, and we are so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with this incredible team of creators, cast and crew along with our studio partners at 20th Television and UCP. As we close this final chapter, we look forward to a great season culminating in a finale that will give our fans the ending they deserve.”

Gina Torres & Her “Suits” Co-Stars to Reunite for “Suit Up For Georgia: A Game Night”

Posted on December 26, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

It’s game on for Gina Torres…

The original cast of USA Network’s hit series Suits, including the 51-year-old Cuban American actress, along with fan-favorite recurring players and creator Aaron Korsh, will headline Suit Up For Georgia: A Game Night reunion.

Hosted by Suits star Patrick J. Adams and his wife, Pretty Little Liars actress Troian Bellisario, the Democratic Party of Georgia event will be held on Sunday, December 27 at 8:00 pm ET/5:00 pm PT.

Adams and Bellisario will be joined by Suits regular/recurring cast members Torres, Rick Hoffman, Gabriel Macht, Sarah Rafferty, Rachael Harris, Amy Acker, DB Woodside, Denise Crosby, Amanda Schull, Max Topplin, David Costabile and Ray Proscia, Suits creator and executive producer Korsh, and special guests.

They are not expected to include original co-star Meghan Markle who, as a member of the British Royal family, has refrained from taking sides in an U.S. election.

“There is no better reason to revisit the world of Suits than to help turn out the vote for the Senate runoff election in Georgia,” said Adams. “I’m looking forward to bringing Mike Ross back to life for a fun night with Troian and my Suits friends, new and old, in support of such a crucial effort.”

To watch the reunion, fans can make a donation of any amount at SuitUpforGeorgia.com, with all proceeds and efforts going towards getting out the vote for Jon Ossoff and Reverend Raphael Warnock and flipping the U.S. Senate. They will include Adrienne White, Vice Chair of the Democratic Party of Georgia.

“As a longtime fan of the show, I’m thrilled to have so many members of the Suits cast join us here in Georgia to host a virtual game night,” said White. “With New Years’ and January 5 just around the corner, Georgia Democrats are determined to go into 2021 with momentum in these runoff elections. The grassroots donations and volunteer sign-ups from this event will give us the boost we need, and I’m so thankful to the cast of Suits for their support.”

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