Coral Peña to Appear on HBO‘s Untitled Brad Ingelsby Task Force Project

It’s task and you shall receive for Coral Peña.

The Dominican actress has landed a recurring role in HBO‘s Untitled Brad Ingelsby Task Force Project (working title).

Coral PeñaPeña is among a roster of new recurring cast members that includes Isaach De BankoléPhoebe Fox and Silvia Dionicio.

De Bankolé will play Father Daniel Georges, the oldest and best friend of lead Mark Ruffalo’s FBI agent Tom, who went to seminary with him. Fox portrays Tom’s biological daughter, Sara, who is deep in grief, with Dionicio as his adopted daughter, grappling with a family tragedy. Peña portrays Meg Coyle, the guidance counselor who works at Emily’s high school.

Others previously cast in the crime drama from the creator of Mare of Easttown include Tom Pelphrey as Robbie; Emilia Jones as Maeve; Thuso Mbedu as Aleah; Raúl Castillo as Cliff; Jamie McShane as Perry; Sam Keeley as Jayson; Fabien Frankel as Anthony; Alison Oliver as Lizzie; Owen Teague as Peaches; Dominic Colón as Deric “Breaker”; Levieva as Eryn; Raphael Sbarge as Police Chief Dorsey; Mickey Sumner as Shelley Driscoll; Brian Goodman as Vincent Hawkes; Elvis Nolasco as Freddy Frias; and Colin Bates as Shane McReynolds.

Based on Ingelsby’s original idea, the show is set in the working-class suburbs outside of Philadelphia, where Ruffalo’s Tom heads a Task Force to put an end to a string of drug-house robberies led by an unsuspecting family man. Ingelsby is writing the show and exec producing alongside Jeremiah Zagar and Salli Richardson-Whitfield (who also direct), Ruffalo, Paul Lee and Mark Roybal for wiip, and David Crockett. Nicole Jordan-Webber and Public Record’s Jeremy Yaches serve as co-executive producers.

Dionicio is an up-and-comer who has so far guest starred on shows like FBI: Most WantedChicago P.D.New Amsterdam, and Wu-Tang: An American Saga.

One of the stars of Apple’s astronaut drama For All Mankind, Peña’s also recurred on NBC’s The Enemy Within and 24: Legacy. Previously seen in films like Story Ave, Chemical Hearts, and The Post, she’ll next appear in Josh Margolin’s Sundance action comedy Thelma starring June Squibb, which is out via Magnolia Pictures on June 21.

Dominic Colón to Appear in HBO’s Untitled Brad Ingelsby Task Force Project 

Dominic Colón is joining the gang

The Puerto Rican actor, writer, producer and filmmaker has landed a recurring role in HBO’s Untitled Brad Ingelsby Task Force Project (working title).

Dominic ColónColon is among a list of new recurring cast members that includes Owen Teague and Margarita Levieva.

Colón will portray Deric “Breaker,” the vice president of a dangerous biker gang and Jayson’s (Teague) right hand .

Mark Ruffalo leads the ensemble as FBI agent Tom. Additional previously announced cast includes Tom Pelphrey as Robbie; Emilia Jones as Maeve; Thuso Mbedu as Aleah; Raúl Castillo as Cliff; Jamie McShane as Perry; Sam Keeley as Jayson; Fabien Frankel as Anthony; and Alison Oliver as Lizzie.

A crime drama based on an original idea from Mare of Easttown creator Ingelsby, the show is set in the working class suburbs outside of Philadelphia, where Ruffalo’s FBI agent heads a Task Force to put an end to a string of drug-house robberies led by an unsuspecting family man.

Ingelsby is writing the show and exec producing alongside Jeremiah Zagar and Salli Richardson-Whitfield (who also direct), Ruffalo, Paul Lee and Mark Roybal for wiip, and David Crockett. Nicole Jordan-Webber and Public Record’s Jeremy Yaches serve as co-executive producers.

Colón has recurred on series like Escape at DannemoraMadoff, and Power. Additionally, he’s been seen in films like Human CapitalMoney Monster and Southpaw.

 

Clayton Cardenas to Appear on Kurt Sutter’s New Netflix Series “The Abandons”

Clayton Cardenas is reuniting with Kurt Sutter

The 38-year-old half-Mexican American actor has joined the cast of Sutter’s new Netflix series The Abandons in a recurring role.

Clayton CardenasCardenas’ casting reunites him with Sutter, the co-creator of the Sons of Anarchy spinoff series Mayans M.C., in which Cardenas starred in the series regular role of Angel Reyes across the show’s five seasons.

Gillian Anderson, Lena Headey, Lucas Till, Nick Robinson, Diana Silvers, Lamar Johnson, Aisling Franciosi and Natalia del Riego also star.

Created and executive produced by Sutter, who also serves as showrunner, The Abandons follows a group of diverse, outlier families pursuing their Manifest Destiny in 1850s Oregon, as a corrupt force of wealth and power, coveting their land, tries to force them out. These abandoned souls, the kind of lost souls living on the fringe of society, unite their tribes to form a family and fight back. In this bloody process, “justice” is stretched beyond the boundaries of the law. The Abandons will explore that fine line between survival and law, the consequences of violence, and the corrosive power of secrets, as this family fights to keep their land.

In addition to his work on Mayans M.C., Cardenas previously played Diego Castillo on the Emmy-winning series American Crime and has appeared on series such as Law & Order: SVUSnowfall, FBI and S.W.A.T.

Up next, he will recur in the Fox drama The Cleaning Lady‘s third season.

In addition to acting, Cardenas is a spoken-word poet and painter whose large-scale canvas work has caught the attention of collectors across.

Felix Solis to Appear in the New York Dramedy “The Friend”

Felix Solis is making a new friend

The 52-year-old Puerto Rican actor, director and producer has landed a supporting role in The Friend, the New York dramedy starring Naomi Watts and Bill Murray.

Felix SolisNo word yet on what role Solis will be playing.

The project is an adaptation of Sigrid Nunez’s New York Times bestseller.

Winner of the 2018 National Book Award for Fiction, The Friend follows a New York writer in the aftermath of her lifelong friend and mentor’s unexpected death. Thereafter, she’s left to deal with his complicated literary legacy, three eccentric ex-wives — and a massive, brokenhearted Great Dane named Apollo.

Scott McGehee and David Siegel are directing from their own script, also producing through their new company Big Creek Projects, with Sarah Pidgeon, Constance Wu, Ann Dowd and Noma Dumezweni rounding out the cast.

Best known for his role as the terrifying cartel boss Omar Navarro on Netflix’s Ozark, Solis has more recently been seen playing the FBI’s Matthew Garza on The Rookie and The Rookie: Feds.

Previously, he’s appeared on shows like City on FireCharmed and The Good Wife, among others. Film credits include Netflix’s Tallulah and the Richard Gere drama Arbitrage.

Raúl Castillo Joins the Cast of HBO’s Mark Ruffalo-Led “Task Force Project” Series

Raúl Castillo is joining the task force

The 46-year-old Mexican American actor has joined the cast of HBO’s Mark Ruffalo-led series, the Untitled Brad Ingelsby Task Force Project (w/t), currently in pre-production.

Castillo is among a list of new cast additions that includes Jamie McShane and Sam Keeley.

Castillo plays Cliff, Robbie’s lifelong best friend and devout cynic; McShane plays Perry, a feared and respected man who’s made a career out of mayhem; Keeley plays Jayson, the leader of a local crime organization.

The series is set in the working-class suburbs outside of Philadelphia and follows an FBI agent who heads a Task Force. His goal is to put an end to a string of drug-house robberies led by an unsuspecting family man. The Untitled Task Force project is based on an original idea by the creator of Mare of Easttown, Brad Ingelsby.

The trio joins the previously announced cast including Mark Ruffalo, Tom Pelphrey and Emilia Jones.

Executive producers include Brad Ingelsby (Writer/EP); Jeremiah Zagar (Director/EP); Salli Richardson-Whitfield (Director/EP); Ruffalo (Star/EP); Paul Lee and Mark Roybal for wiip; David Crockett.

Castillo’s previous credits include Cassandro, The Inspection, Looking: The Movie, El Chicano and Knives Out.

Xolo Maridueña to Star in the Eif Rivera-Directed Film “Killing Castro”

Xolo Maridueña is killin’ it in Hollywood 

The 22-year-old Mexican, Cuban and Ecuadorian American actor and Blue Beetle star will star in the film Killing Castro.

Xolo MaridueñaEif Rivera will direct the film from a script by Leon Hendrix, Thomas DeGrezia and Colin Bateman. This will be Rivera’s first feature film.

In addition to Maridueña, who rose to acclaim in Cobra Kai, will star alongside

Al Pacino, Mexican superstar Diego Boneta, KiKi Layne, Alexander Ludwig, Ron Livingston, Kendrick Sampson, Nicole Beharie, Logan Marshall Green and Titus Welliver in the film.

Based on true events, the film is set in 1960. Shortly after winning the Cuban revolution, Fidel Castro travels to New York City to deliver his first speech to the United Nations. When met with hostility at his original hotel, Castro meets Malcolm X who invites him to stay at famed Hotel Theresa in Harlem. With the eyes of the world watching, a rookie undercover FBI agent originally assigned to investigate Malcolm X suddenly becomes the FBI’s most valuable asset, and is tasked with keeping Castro from being eliminated by the CIA and the Italian mafia, by any means necessary.

Killing Castro will be produced by Romulus Entertainment’s Brad Feinstein, along with Christina Weiss Lurie of Fourth and Twenty-Eight Films. Romulus will also finance. Principal photography will take place in Newark, NJ.

“I am honored to be part of telling such an important story that is a piece of history which was largely unknown,” said Feinstein. “Killing Castro perfectly encapsulates the type of stories we strive to tell at Romulus Entertainment, stories that do more than entertain audiences, but create thought-provoking diverse content that bring to light the complexities of real life. We are looking forward to working with the incredible cast led by the inimitable Eif Rivera.”

Rivera is known for directing BMF, and TV shows including Force and Power Book III: Raising Kanan.

“I am excited to bring to life this compelling true story with the help of my remarkable cast and formidable producing team at Romulus Entertainment,” Rivera said.

Netflix Releases Trailer for Jennifer Lopez’s Action Film “The Mother”

Jennifer Lopez is mothering

“Where’s my baby?” says the 53-year-old Puerto Rican superstar’s character, known only as The Mother, in the first trailer for Netflix‘s forthcoming action film of the same name, which is set for a Mother’s Day weekend debut on May 12th.

Jennifer Lopez“You wasted FBI time trying to cut a deal for yourself, and seven agents were killed. This conversation now takes place on our terms,” an FBI official played by Edie Falco tells her. “Adrian Lovell and Hector Álvarez are still out there. You and I both know the only way you protect that child is to disappear.”

And disappear, the former assassin does. “You put her with good people, keep her safe,” Lopez tells a trusted character played by Omari Hardwick. “If there’s trouble, you let me know.” Of course, trouble comes for her around 12 years later, as villains played by Joseph Fiennes and Gael García Bernal have her daughter (Lucy Paez) kidnapped, with Lopez being forced to come out of hiding to save this girl to whom she’s now a total stranger.

“I’m a killer, but I’m also a mother,” says Lopez. “And I will die protecting her.”

Niki Caro directed the film, also starring Paul Raci, Jesse Garcia, Yvonne Senat Jones and more, from a script by Misha Green, Andrea Berloff and Peter Craig.

Lopez most recently led the rom-coms Shotgun Wedding and Marry Me for Lionsgate/Amazon and Universal Pictures, respectively. She’ll next be seen in Netflix’s sci-fi thriller Atlas with Simu Liu, Sterlking K. Brown and more, and recently signed on to star in the Amazon drama Unstoppable from Artists Equity, the new production company of Matt Damon and her husband Ben Affleck.

Yul Vazquez to Star in MGM+’s Crime Thriller “Hotel Cocaine”

Yul Vazquez is checking into his next project…

The 58-year-old Cuban-American actor and musician is set as a lead opposite Danny Pino and Michael Chiklis in Hotel Cocaine, MGM+’s upcoming crime thriller from creator Chris Brancato.

Yul Vazquez

Hotel Cocaine is the story of Roman Compte (Pino), a Cuban expatriate who fought against Fidel Castro in the Bay of Pigs invasion and re-made his life in Miami. He is general manager of the Mutiny Hotel, the glamorous epicenter of the Miami cocaine scene of late ‘70s and early ‘80s. The Mutiny Hotel was Casablanca on cocaine, a glitzy nightclub, restaurant and hotel frequented by Florida businessmen and politicians, international narcos, CIA and FBI agents, models, sports stars and musicians.

Vazquez will play Nestor Cabal, Roman Compte’s (Pino) brother and one of the biggest suppliers of cocaine to a coke-hungry Miami population. He’s dangerous, funny, wily, and seeking reunion with his long-lost brother.

Chiklis plays Agent Zulio who will stop at nothing to shut down the drug trade, even if it means using innocent civilians to accomplish his ends.

Brancato serves as executive producer and showrunner. Guillermo Navarro will direct the pilot episode and executive produce the series, with Michael Panes and Alfredo Barrios Jr. also serving as executive producers.

The eight-episode series from MGM+ Studios, in partnership with MGM Television, will begin production in May in the Dominican Republic, and is slated to premiere in early 2024.

Vazquez will next be seen in the HBO Max limited series White House Plumbers, opposite Woody Harrelson and Justin Theroux. He was most recently seen on season 3 of the MGM+ series Godfather of Harlem opposite Forest Whitaker and in the Emmy-nominated Apple TV+ series, Severance, directed by Ben Stiller.

His other credits include Jason Bateman’s HBO series The Outsider, ABC’s Promised Land, Netflix’s Russian DollTNT miniseries I Am The Night and HBO’s Succession, among others.

His film work includes Books of Blood, Last Flag Flying, Gringo, Traffic and The Infiltrator.

Danny Pino Lands Leading Role in MGM+’s Crime Thriller “Hotel Cocaine”

Danny Pino is checking in to a new project…

The 48-year-old Cuban American actor, who stars in Mayans M.C., will star as the lead in Hotel Cocaine, MGM+’s upcoming crime thriller from creator Chris Brancato.

Danny PinoHotel Cocaine is the story of Roman Compte (Pino), a Cuban expatriate who fought against Fidel Castro in the Bay of Pigs invasion and re-made his life in Miami. He is general manager of the Mutiny Hotel, the glamorous epicenter of the Miami cocaine scene of late ‘70s and early ‘80s. The Mutiny Hotel was Casablanca on cocaine, a glitzy nightclub, restaurant and hotel frequented by Florida businessmen and politicians, international narcos, CIA and FBI agents, models, sports stars and musicians. At the center of it all was Compte, who was doing his best to keep it all going and fulfill his own American dream.

Brancato serves as executive producer and showrunner. Guillermo Navarro will direct the pilot episode and executive produce the series, with Michael Panes and Alfredo Barrios Jr. also serving as executive producers. The eight-episode series from MGM+ Studios, in partnership with MGM Television, will begin production in May in the Dominican Republic, and is slated to premiere in early 2024.

Pino, born and raised in Miami, stars as organized crime boss Miguel Galindo in Mayans M.C., which is heading into its fifth and final season on FX.

He made his episodic directorial debut in the drama’s fourth season. Pino, also known for his roles as police detective Nick Amaro on Law & Order: SVU and Detective Scotty Valens on Cold Case, recently completed the short film, Union de Reyes (Union of Kings), which he wrote, directed, produced and starred in.

Hotel Cocaine will be distributed internationally by MGM.

Marc Menchaca to Star in Apple TV+’s Limited Series “The Big Cigar”

Marc Menchaca is going undercover…

The 46-year-old half-Mexican American actor has joined the cast of Apple TV+’s six-episode limited series The Big Cigar, which is centered on Black Panther leader Huey P. Newton.

Marc MenchacaMenchaca, who most recently starred on Netflix’s Ozark, will star alongside André Holland, Don Cheadle, Alessandro Nivola and Tiffany Boone in the project.

Based on the eponymous Playboy magazine article by Joshuah Bearman, the series tells the extraordinary, hilarious, almost-too-good-to-be-true story of how Newton relied on his best friend, Bert Schneider (Nivola), the Hollywood producer behind Easy Rider, to elude a nationwide manhunt and escape to Cuba while being pursued into exile by the FBI.

Menchaca will portray Agent Sydney Clark. A former lawyer and Vietnam vet from Oklahoma, Clark lives undercover as a dirty hippie while pursuing Newton, who is wanted on charges of killing a teenage prostitute.

NAACP Image Award winner Janine Sherman Barrois is serving as The Big Cigar‘s showrunner. Jim Hecht wrote the show’s first episode, with Cheadle directing and executive producing the first two.

The show hails from Warner Bros. Television, where Barrois and her Folding Chair Productions are under an overall deal. Barrois and Hecht are executive producing alongside Bearman, Joshua Davis and Arthur Spector through their production company Epic, a division of Vox Media Studios.

Menchaca is best known for his scene-stealing turns as Jack Hoskins on HBO’s hit series The Outsider, and as Russ Langmore on the Emmy-winning Netflix drama series Ozark.

He will next be seen in Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, HBO’s miniseries The White House Plumbers, John Hyams’ thriller Sick and Gareth Edwards’ sci-fi pic True Love for New Regency.

 

His additional television credits include Black MirrorHomelandMacGyverBlue BloodsChicago P.D.Sleepy HollowThe Blacklist, Law & Order: SVU, CSI and Law & Order: Criminal Intent.