Ana Ortiz In Final Talks to Star in the HBO Max Drama Pilot “More”

Posted on November 23, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Ana Ortiz is thisclose to one more project…

The 51-year-old half-Puerto Rican actress is finalizing a deal to lead the cast of the HBO Max drama pilot More, from Amy Chozick, Berlanti Productions and Warner Bros. Television.

Ortiz, who will star alongside Christian Serratos, replaces Veronica Falcón, who originally was tapped for the role.

The recasting decision was made after the table read, according to Deadline.com

Written by journalist Chozick and inspired by her reporting, More follows the Lorenz family, a tight-knit clan of seemingly flawless Latinas led by mom/mastermind Leona (Ortiz). The Lorenzes are the Vanderbilts or the Astors of the Instagram era. Drawing some parallels to the Kardashians and their “momager” Kris Jenner, the Lorenzes pulled their way up from debt and obscurity to reality TV stardom and forged a billion-dollar mega-conglomerate not from oil or steel but from something more elusive and modern: influence.

Ortiz’s Leona Lorenz is the matriarch of the Lorenz family media dynasty. A former single mom, Leona used her formidable, self-taught business skills to scrap her way to the 1 percent, parlaying her four glistening daughters (Serratos, Ceci Fernandez, Yvette Monreal, Georgie Flores) into a billion-dollar media empire, with a top-rated reality TV show and lucrative brand partnerships. But can this stage mom for the Instagram era acquire more fame and power than even she could imagine, without losing her grip on her daughters?

Chozick and Natalie Chaidez serve as executive producers and co-showrunners.

Best known for her role as Hilda Suarez on Ugly Betty, Ortiz recently starred as Isabel, Victor’s mother, on Hulu/Disney+’s Love, Victor. She also co-starred on Whiskey Cavalier, which aired for one season on ABC, and recurred on the second season of Netflix’s Special.

Monreal to Star in Untitled Lowrider Project from Universal Pictures

Posted on January 13, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Yvette Monreal is ridin’ low…

The 22-year-old Latina actress has landed a leading role in the untitled lowrider project from Universal Pictures, Blumhouse Productions and Imagine Entertainment.

Gabriel Chavarria, Demian Bichir and Theo Rossi are also starring in the inspirational drama that’s set in the youth culture of East Los Angeles’ world of lowrider cars and street tagging.

The story tells of a teen (Chavarria) caught between his traditional father (Bichir) and his estranged gangbanger brother, Ghost (Rossi), who are both competing in the annual lowrider “Supershow.”

Monreal, who was a regular on Robert Rodriguez’ Matador television series, will portray the romantic interest for Chavarria, taking on the role of a smart, talented maverick of a girl who is a fellow tagger but who also has a scholarship to Columbia University in New York.

Ricardo de Montreuil is directing.

Monreal has also recurred on MTV’s Faking It.

Monreal to Appear in Recurring Role on MTV’s “Faking It”

Posted on September 3, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Yvette Monreal is about to fake it to make it…

The Latina actress has signed on to appear in a recurring role on Faking It, MTV’s faux-lesbian comedy series from showrunner Carter Covington.

In season two, everyone is faced with a dilemma that forces them to tell the truth or keep a secret. Best friends Amy (Rita Volk) and Karma (Katie Stevens) struggle with figuring out their relationship after Amy revealed her true feelings for Karma.

Monreal, who has appeared on El Rey Network‘s action drama series Matador, will portray Regan, a hip, edgy lesbian with a rebellious streak. She’s a cater-waiter by day and DJ by night who is fiercely out and proud and independent with a husky voice and sexy confidence who supports herself and her music career with odd jobs.

The casting keeps Monreal in the MTV family after a small role on Awkward.

Monreal’s casting comes after MTV renewed the series for a second season of 10 episodes following its divisive season finale.

Faking It season two debuts Tuesday, September 23 at 10:30 p.m. on MTV.

El Rey Network Orders Second Season of Luna’s Spy Thriller “The Matador”

Posted on July 11, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

It’s nothin’ but net for Gabriel Luna…

El Rey Network has ordered a 13-episode second season of the soccer-themed spy thriller Matador, starring the 31-year-old Latino actor.

From writer-producer Roberto Orci, the series centers on Antonio “Matador” Bravo, a soccer star who in reality uses his sports career as a cover for his work as a skilled covert operative executing missions for a little-known branch of the CIA.

Alfred Molina, Nicky Whelan, Neil Hopkins, Tanc Sade, Yvette Monreal, Elizabeth Peña, Julio Oscar Mechoso, Louis Ozawa Changchien, Sammi Rotibi, Jonny Cruz, Isabella Gomez and Peter Gadiot co-star.

“It just fit in with what we wanted to do … this is why I created [El Rey],” said filmmaker and the network’s founder Robert Rodriguez, who trumpeted the network’s commitment to diversity by saying that at least 50% of the network’s talent both in front of and behind the camera is diverse. “We are so happy with the season already, we are on episode 11. It fits right in with our network. It’s kickass, the characters are really engaging, it’s your dream kind of show to do.”

The announcement comes in advance of the The Matador’s premiere on July 15.

A sneak peek of the pilot episode becomes available this week on iTunes, Vudu, Xbox 360 and other platforms.

El Rey Network Releases Trailer for Luna’s New Drama Series “Matador”

Posted on May 21, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Gabriel Luna’s ready to take the soccer field…

El Rey Network has released the trailer for its upcoming action drama series Matador, which stars the 31-year-old Latino American actor.

From Dan Dworkin, Jay Beattie, Roberto Orci and Andrew Orci, the series stars Luna as Antonio “Matador” Bravo, a popular soccer star who in reality uses his sports career as a cover for his skilled covert operative executing missions for a little-known branch of the CIA.

The international cast also includes Alfred Molina, Nicky Whelan, Neil Hopkins, Tanc Sade, Yvette Monreal, Elizabeth Peña, Julio Oscar Mechoso, Louis Ozawa Changchien, Sammi Rotibi, Jonny Cruz, Isabella Gomez and Peter Gadiot.

Matador premieres on July 15, two days after the World Cup final, on Robert Rodriguez’s network.

Monreal to Star in El Rey Network’s Action Drama Series “Matador”

Posted on March 28, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Alfred Molina has a daughter… And, her name is Yvette Monreal.

The rising Latina talent has been cast in Matador, the upcoming action drama series for Robert Rodriguez’s El Rey Network.

Created by Bob Orci and Alex Kurtzman, the series stars Gabriel Luna as a popular soccer star who uses his sports career as a cover for his real job as as skilled covert operative executing missions for a little-known branch of the CIA.

Monreal will play Senna Galan, the cute, trouble-making only child of Adres Galan (portrayed by Molina).

Molina’s previous television credits include Awkward and Harpies.

In addition to her role on Matador, Monreal has been cast in a supporting role in the film Off the Grid.

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