Francia Raisa to Star in Freeform’s “Black-ish” Spinoff, “Grown-ish”

Francia Raisa is Grown-ing up…

The 29-year-old Honduran and Mexican American actress has joined the cast of Freeform’s Grown-ish, the spinoff of ABC’s acclaimed sitcom Black-ish.

Francia Raisa

Grown-ish, from Black-ish executive producer Kenya Barris, is a contemporary take on the current issues facing both students and administrators in the world of higher education. Yara Shahidi portrays Zoey – Dre (Anthony Anderson) and Rainbow’s (Tracee Ellis Ross) popular, entitled, stylish and socially active 17-year-old daughter — as she heads off to college and quickly discovers that not everything goes her way once she leaves the nest.

Raisa will portray Ana, an outspoken conservative freshman at Southern California University.

Raisa joins previously announced cast members Shahidi, Deon Cole, Chris Parnell, Emily Arlook and Trevor Jackson.

The 13-episode comedy series is set to start production next week for an early 2018 premiere on Freeform.

Raisa, who rose to acclaim on The Secret Life of the American Teenager, previously appeared on Dear White People, The Mindy Project and In Plain Sight.

Disney Channel Renews Carrero’s “Elena of Avalor” for a Third Season

Aimee Carrero’s reign continues…

Disney Channel has ordered a third season of its hit animated series Elena of Avalor, featuring the 28-year-old Dominican actress as the voice of the title character.

Aimee Carrero

The announcement comes months ahead of its Season 2 premiere.

Created and executive-produced by Emmy winner Craig Gerber, the series centers on a brave and adventurous teenager who rules her kingdom as crown princess, Elena of Avalor. It stars Carrero as the voice of Elena; Jenna Ortega as Princess Isabel; Chris Parnell, Yvette Nicole Brown and Carlos Alazraqui as the jaquins Migs, Luna and Skylar, respectively; Emiliano Díez as Francisco; Julia Vera as Luisa; Christian Lanz as Chancellor Esteban; Jillian Rose Reed as Naomi; Joseph Haro as Mateo; Jorge Diaz as Gabe; Keith Ferguson as Zuzo; and Joe Nunez as Armando. The recurring guest voice cast includes: Constance Marie, Lou Diamond Phillips, Rich Sommer, Justina Machado and Jaime Camil.

When it premiered in July 2016, Elena of Avalor quickly became television’s No.1 series for Girls age 2-11 in the U.S. It also ranks No. 1 in its timeslot among kids in the UK, Spain and Portugal.

Season 2 is scheduled to premiere this fall on Disney Channel and Disney Junior.

Elena of Avalor has spawned a franchise aside from the television series, including a line of dolls from Disney Store and Hasbro which recently reached the mark of one million dolls sold. The Elena character also is featured at Disney Parks & Resorts where she greets well-wishers with stories and songs from her native land during special character appearances. The series also has spawned print and e-book titles from Disney Publishing; an “Elena of Avalor” original soundtrack album from Walt Disney Records; and multiple DVD releases from Walt Disney Studios, including the recently released Elena and the Secret of Avalor.

Moto to Serve as a Presenter at the Creative Arts Emmys

Bethany Mota is about to get creative 

The 20-year-old YouTube sensation will serve as a presented at this weekend’s two-night Creative Arts Emmys.

Bethany Mota

The Television Academy has revealed news that Mota, a former contestant on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars, will be a presenter on Sunday night. She joins a roster that includes Lori GreinerErinn HayesMarilu Henner, Jane Lynch, Tyler Oakley, Chris Parnell, Ryan Seacrest and Neil deGrasse Tyson.

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

Mota to Serve as a Presenter at This Weekend’s Creative Arts Emmys

Bethany Mota is about to get creative 

The 20-year-old YouTube sensation will serve as a presented at this weekend’s two-night Creative Arts Emmys.

Bethany Mota

The Television Academy has revealed news that Mota, a former contestant on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars, will be a presenter on Sunday night. She joins a roster that includes Lori GreinerErinn HayesMarilu Henner, Jane Lynch, Tyler Oakley, Chris Parnell, Ryan Seacrest and Neil deGrasse Tyson.

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

Armisen to Guest Star on Maya Rudolph’s NBC Variety Special/Pilot

He’s already the bandleader for his former Saturday Night Light cast mate Seth Meyer’s band on NBC’s Late Night with Seth Meyers… And, now Fred Armisen is about to reunite with another SNL alum.

The 45-year-old half-Venezuelan actor will guest star on Maya Rudolph’s upcoming variety special/pilot for NBC.

Fred Armisen

Revisiting the variety-show format, The Maya Rudolph Show special will air at 10:00 pm ET on Monday, May 19.

In addition to Armisen, the project will also feature appearences by Andy Samberg, Kristen Bell, Chris Parnell, Craig Robinson, Sean Hayes and Janelle Monae.

Raphael Saadiq will serve as the bandleader for the project, which is being produced by Rudolph, David Javerbaum, Erin David and Dave Becky, with Lorne Michaels serving as executive producer.

Rudolph and Armisen often collaborated together on SNL, including memorable skits as Beyonce and Prince in the recurring sketch “Prince Show.”

The pair also shared the stage on the SNL sketch “Bossa Nova” as a bossa nova band with host Alec Baldwin appearing as a sleaze bag.

Sanz Cast in ABC Comedy Pilot

Funnyman Horatio Sanz could soon be heading back to television…

The 42-year-old Chilean-born American actor and comedian has been added to the cast of ABC’s untitled comedy pilot starring Mary McCormack.

Horatio Sanz

The project centers on McCormack’s character Hilary Pfeiffer-Dunne, a high-powered executive who faces the biggest challenge of her life when she finds herself unemployed and acting as a full-time mom to her two teenagers.

Sanz, best known as a cast member on NBC’s Saturday Night Live from 1998-2006, will play Hilary’s put-upon, wry-humored neighbor Jonathan, a stay-at-home dad of 2-year-old twin girls.

Sanz most recently starred alongside his former SNL castmate Chris Parnell in the Comedy Central series Big Lake.