John Leguizamo to Star in Apple‘s Upcoming Drama Series “Firebug”

John Leguizamo is buggin’…

The 63-year-old Colombian Emmy– & Tony Award-winning actor will star alongside Taron Egerton in Apple‘s upcoming drama series Firebug.

John LeguizamoHailing from Apple Studios and creator Dennis Lehane, the series will be directed and executive-produced by Kari Skogland.

Written by Lehane and loosely inspired by true events, Firebug will follow a troubled detective and an enigmatic arson investigator (Egerton) as they pursue the trails of two serial arsonists.

Leguizamo with play Esposito, a former policeman with a lot of bad habits and a lot of good instincts.

Jurnee Smollett will also star in the series.

In addition to starring, Egerton will serve as executive producer alongside Richard Plepler through Eden Productions, Dan Friedkin and Bradley Thomas through Imperative Entertainment and Kary Antholis.

Leguizamo is host and executive producer of MSNBC’s hit travel show, Leguizamo Does America, which is currently in production on its second season.

He recently starred in Amazon series The Power, alongside Toni Collette, in Showtime’s five-part drama series Waco: The Aftermath, and in Mark Mylod’s horror comedy The Menu.

Leguizamo stars in the independent film Bob Trevino Likes It, which recently premiered at SXSW, winning the SXSW Grand Jury Award and the Audience Award in the Narrative Feature category.

He also stars as federal agent Gordon Rogers in The Green Veil drama series, which he produced alongside director Aram Rappaport.

Upcoming, he hosts the PBS documentary series American Historia: The Untold History of Latinos, a project he co-created with director Ben De Jesus. He’ll also be seen in the upcoming thriller feature Tin Soldier, opposite Robert Di Niro, Jamie Foxx and Rita Ora.

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.

Tommy Martinez to Star in Peacock’s New Comedy Series “Laid”

Tommy Martinez is laying down a new path…

The 31-year-old Venezuelan actor will star in Peacock’s upcoming comedy series Laid as a series regular.

Tommy MartinezMartinez will star opposite Zosia Mamet and Michael Angarano in the series.

Martinez will play Isaac, Mamet will play AJ and Angarano will play Richie.

They join previously announced lead Stephanie Hsu in the series written and executive produced by Nahnatchka Khan and Sally Bradford McKenna.

Laid is based on the Australian series created by Marieke Hardy and Kirsty Fisher, and produced by Liz Watts.

It follows a woman who finds out her former lovers are dying in unusual ways and must go back through her sex timeline to confront her past to move forward. It’s described as a f*cked-up rom-com where the answer to “Why can’t I find love, is there something wrong with me?” is a resounding: “Yes, there is. The problem is definitely you.”

The series comes from Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group.

Martinez was most recently a series regular on Freeform’s Good Trouble, which wrapped up its run after 5 seasons earlier this month. He played Gael Martinez since the show’s inception.

His additional television credits include Netflix’s Not Dead Yet, Prime Video’s Hunters, Mosquito Coast for Apple+, Showtime’s Shameless and the CW’s Riverdale.

Eiza González Starring in Guy Ritchie’s “Fountain of Youth” from Apple & Skydance

Eiza González is searching for the fountain of youth

The 33-year-old Mexican actress and singer will star opposite John Krasinski and Natalie Portman in Apple‘s Fountain of Youth.

Eiza GonzálezThe feature film, based on an original idea that will be directed by Guy Ritchie, hails from Skydance Media. The film will be produced for Apple by Skydance, Vinson Films and Project X Entertainment.

Written by James Vanderbilt, the film follows estranged siblings (Krasinski and Portman) who partner on a global heist to find the mythological Fountain of Youth. They must use their knowledge of history to follow clues on an epic adventure that will change their lives — and possibly lead to immortality.

Hailing from a first-look partnership between Apple and Skydance, Fountain of Youth has been a high priority for Skydance after getting a script from Vanderbilt that Deadline sources said “blew execs away,” but the studio needed the right package of talent before it moved forward with the film. Ritchie, who has been as busy as any director in town, had been eyeing the project since the spring, with Krasinski also circling it around the same time, but the dual strikes forced things to be put on pause.

The project reunites González with director Ritchie for a third time after recently wrapping production on their most recent collaboration on a new, untitled action film in which González stars alongside Jake Gyllenhaal and Henry Cavill. González will also star opposite Cavill in Ritchie’s upcoming The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, which will be released in theaters on April 19th.

González will next lead David Benioff and D.B Weiss’ series, 3 Body Problem for Netflix. The series debuts on the streaming platform on March 21st. She will also soon be starring in the boxing limited series, La Maquina, opposite Gael Garcia Bernal and Diego Luna. The show will debut as Hulu’s first Spanish language series. Also upcoming, González will star in the mystery sci-fi movie ASH directed by the musician Flying Lotus (aka Steven Ellison) opposite Aaron Paul.

Javier Bardem to Star in Netflix’s “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story”

Javier Bardem has landed a monster(s) role…

The 54-year-old Spanish Oscar-winning actor will star in Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, the second season of the acclaimed Netflix crime anthology Monster from creators Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan.

Javier BardemBardem will star alongside Chloë Sevigny, Nicholas Chavez and Cooper Koch in the series.

Bardem abd Sevigny will respectively play Jose and Kitty Menendez, the Beverly Hills couple murdered by sons Lyle (Chavez) and Erik (Koch).

The new season comes on the heels of Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, which starred Evan Peters as the notorious serial killer and quickly became one of Netflix’s most popular English-language series ever when it debuted in September 2022.

It was in 1989 that Lyle and Erik Menendez murdered parents Jose and Kitty in their L.A.-area home. Although not initially looked at as prime suspects, they came under investigation in the months following and eventually confessed to parricide, at the same time claiming that their actions stemmed from years of physical, emotional and sexual abuse at the hands of their father. Their first of two trials, broadcast on Court TV, had the nation in its grip, much like the 1994 trial of O.J. Simpson, and is believed to have played a part in the modern-day fascination with true crime.

The prosecution argued that the pair were in fact seeking to inherit their father’s multimillion-dollar estate, and the Menendez brothers were convicted in 1996 and sentenced to life imprisonment, without the possibility of parole, though the case continues to unfold to this day. Last summer, Erik and Lyle filed documents in hopes of a new hearing, following former Menudo bandmember Roy Rosselló’s claim that he was molested by José Menendez at the age of 14.

Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story is one of two forthcoming seasons of the Monster anthology announced as of November 2022. The story at the center of the third chapter has not yet been revealed. In addition to the scripted series on the Menendez brothers, Netflix has a feature doc on the duo in the works, brought to life with exclusive access to the subjects.

Most recently portraying King Triton in Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Bardem will next be seen in Dune: Part Two, out March 1 following a strike-imposed delay, and Apple’s Formula 1 racing movie with Brad Pitt.

Apple TV+ Lands Untitled Six-Part Documentary of Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi’s move to Major League Soccer is getting the doc treatment…

Apple TV+ has landed a new untitled six-part documentary featuring the 36-year-old Soccer star with exclusive behind-the-scenes access to the football great  s he arrived in America to play for MLS and Inter Miami CF, chronicling his debut in Leagues Cup and beyond.

Lionel MessiThe new docuseries will join the previously announced Apple Original documentary that will track the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner through his storied career, including five FIFA World Cup appearances, capped by his FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 win.

After over twenty years with Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, and winning the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 with the Argentina national football team, Messi recently decided to join Major League Soccer and Inter Miami CF, whose games are available on MLS Season Pass, the subscription service from Apple and Major League Soccer.

“I couldn’t be happier coming to Miami and joining such an amazing group of people and organization,” said Messi. “I’m joining with the desire to compete, win and help the club continue to grow. I also think we’re going to really enjoy ourselves, have a good time and that very special things are going to happen.”

The yet untitled documentary is produced by Smuggler Entertainment in association with Major League Soccer. It is executive produced by Emmy Award winner Tim Pastore (Free Solo), Emmy and Tony Award winners Patrick Milling Smith and Brian Carmody, and Emmy Award winner Matt Renner (Free Solo) of Smuggle, alongside Scott Boggins (The Circus).

Michaela Jaé Rodriguez to Star in 12th Season of Ryan Murphy’s “American Horror Story”

Michaela Jaé Rodriguez has a new story in the works…

The 32-year-old half-Puerto Rican Golden Globe-winning actress will reunite with Pose co-creator Ryan Murphy on the 12th season of FX’s American Horror Story.

Rodriguez joins already cast Kim Kardashian, Emma Roberts and Cara Delevingne in what’s being dubbed thematically as ‘delicate.’

The latest season of Murphy and Brad Falchuk’s American Horror Story is based on the Danielle Valentine thriller novel, Delicate Conditiondue out in August.

Season 12 is being adapted and showrun by Halley Feiffer.

It’s the first time that the anthology series drew inspiration from a novel.

The season reportedly follows a woman who becomes convinced that a sinister figure is going to great lengths to make sure her pregnancy never happens. Season 12 is also being billed as a feminist update of Rosemary’s Baby. Rodriguez’s role is being kept under wraps.

Rodriguez played Blanca Rodriguez-Evangelista on Murphy’s award-winning series Pose, and became the first trans actress to be Emmy nominated in a lead acting category, and the very first trans individual to win a Golden Globe (in Best Actress TV Drama). Rodriguez was also nominated in the Lead Actress category at the Primetime Emmys for Pose in 2021

Rodriguez is currently filming the second season of Apple’s Loot, and will next appear in Paramount’s Transformers: Rise of the Beasts voicing the character of “Nightbird”, that film is due out on June 9. She is also set to produce and star in the upcoming indie drama Mudfire, being produced by Randy Jackson.

Jaime Camil to Star on Season 3 of Apple’s “Acapulco”

Jaime Camil is resorting to new work…

The 49-year-old Mexican actor has joined the cast of Apple’s Acapulco for Season 3. Production on the 10-episode new season is currently underway.

Jaime CamilCamil will guest star as Alejandro, the brother of one of the wealthiest men in Mexico and a new co-owner of Las Colinas who makes his co-owner Diane Davies’ (Jessica Collins) life miserable at the hotel.

From Lionsgate TV, 3Pas Studios, Zihuatanejo Productions and The Tannenbaum Company, in Season 3 of Acapulco, it’s time to reconcile past mistakes and exciting new beginnings. In the present story, older Maximo (Eugenio Derbez) finds himself returning to a Las Colinas he no longer recognizes. While in 1985, younger Maximo (Enrique Arrizon) continues his climb up the ladder of success while potentially jeopardizing all the relationships he’s worked so hard to build.

The cast also includes Fernando Carsa (as Memo), Damián Alcázar (Don Pablo), Camila Perez (Julia), Chord Overstreet (Chad), Vanessa Bauche (Nora), Regina Reynoso (Sara), Raphael Alejandro (Hugo), Jessica Collins (Diane), Rafael Cebrián (Hector), Carlos Corona (Esteban) and Regina Orozco (Lupe). Sam Laybourne serves as showrunner.

Acapulco is inspired by 3Pas Studios and Lionsgate/Pantelion Films’ box office hit How to Be A Latin Lover. Austin Winsberg, Eduardo Cisneros and Jason Shuman created the series.

Executive producers include Winsberg and director Jay Karas; Derbez and Ben Odell for 3Pas Studios; Eric and Kim Tannenbaum, as well as Jason Wang on behalf of The Tannenbaum Company. Sonia Almanza Gambaro co-executive produces for 3Pas Studios.

Seasons 1 and 2 of Acapulco are now streaming globally on Apple TV+.

Camil is currently starring in Season 2 of Apple’Schmigadoon! where he portrays Sergeant Rivera, Schmicago’s chief of police. He is most notably known in the U.S. for his series regular role as Rogelio de la Vega in the CW’s Jane the Virgin across all 5 seasons. He also starred in and executive produced the CBS comedy series, Broke. Most recently, he brought to life the legendary Vicente Fernandez in Netflix’s El Rey, Vicente Fernandez.

Before making a splash in the English-language market, Camil was already a bona fide star in his native Mexico and stateside for his work in Spanish-language projects both in TV and film. Hits include the telenovela La Fea Más BellaPor Ella Soy Eva and Qué Pobres Tan Ricos, to name a few.

Camil currently has a first-look deal with VIS (a division of Paramount) to develop an array of TV and film projects for Paramount+.

Alfred Molina to Star in the Apple Original Films’ “The Instigators”

Alfred Molina is an instigator

The 69-year-old half-Spanish English actor has joined the cast of Apple Original Films’ The Instigatorsstarring Matt Damon and Casey Affleck.

Alfred MolinaMolina is among a roster of new cast additions that includes Ving Rhames and Ron Perlman.

The A-list ensemble also includes Hong Chau, Paul Walter Hauser and Michael Stuhlbarg. Doug Liman is directing.

The film follows two thieves who go on the run with the help of one of their therapists after a robbery goes awry. The script was penned by Chuck MacLean and Casey Affleck and was developed by Robinov, Graham and Casey Affleck.

Damon and Ben Affleck are producing through their banner Artists Equity, along with Jeff Robinov and John Graham through Studio 8 and Kevin Walsh through his The Walsh Company.

Molina is coming off reprising role as Doc Ock in Spider-Man: No Way Home and also was seen in the most recent season of FX’s Feud.

Ana de Armas to Make Hosting Debut on “Saturday Night Live”

Ana de Armas is ready to make a special late night debut.

The 34-year-old Cuban and Spanish Oscar-nominated actress will soon be making her hosting debut on Saturday Night Live.

Ana de Armas, No Time to Diede Armas, who earned her first Oscar nod for her portraying Marilyn Monroe in Blonde, will take on hosting duties on April 15.

It comes as she is starring in Apple’s Ghosted, which premieres on April 21.

She will be joined by Karol G, who recently released album Mañana Será Bonito, as musical guest.

It will be Karol G’s first appearance on the long-running NBC sketch comedy series.

Saturday Night Live is produced in association with Broadway Video. The creator and executive producer is Lorne Michaels.