The 43-year-old Afro-Latina actress has joined the cast of NBC’s Grand Crew as a series regular.
The comedy, from Phil Augusta Jackson and Dan Goor, follows a group of young L.A. professionals navigating the ups and downs of life and love. When they’re ready to unpack it all, they meet at their favorite local bar for a “wine down.”
Mercedes will portray Fay, a recently divorced transplant to Los Angeles who becomes fast friends with the regulars at Eastside Cru.
Jackson will write and executive produce. Mo Marable will direct and co-executive produce the pilot. Goor will executive produce.
Previously announced cast members include Nicole Byer, Justin Cunningham, Aaron Jennings, Echo Kellum and Carl Tart.
Mercedes most recently served as a staff writer on NBC’s Perfect Harmony. Her acting credits include roles in Fox’s 9-1-1, Freeform’s Good Trouble, TNT’s Southland, HBO’s The Affairand CBS’ Criminal Minds.
The 46-year-old Puerto Rican and Cuban American actor has landed a recurring role in Ordinary Joe,NBC’s upcoming drama series starring Jimmy Wolk.
From Russel Friend and Garrett Lerner and writer/director Matt Reeves and his 6th & Idaho banner. The project, which co-stars Natalie Martinez, Charlie Barnett and Elizabeth Lail, is a co-production of 20th Television, Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group, 6th & Idaho and 3 Arts.
Written by Friend and Lerner, Ordinary Joe explores the three parallel lives of the show’s main character (Wolk) after he makes a pivotal choice at a crossroads in his life. The series asks the question of how different life might look if you made your decision based on love, loyalty or passion.
Rodriguez will play Bobby Diaz. Charismatic and ambitious, Bobby is a young Congressman on the rise… but the impressive life path he’s forged for himself suddenly all changes in an instant.
Rodriguez is best known for his starring roles as Eric Delko in CSI: Miamiand as Luke Alvez in Criminal Minds. He’s next set to serve as mentor and executive producer on HBO Max’s upcoming unscripted competition series The Real Magic Mike! a spinoff of Steven Soderberg’s original hit film in which he starred opposite Channing Tatum. He also stars and executive produces CBS’ upcoming movie A Christmas Proposal. His other recent television credits include Ugly Betty, Penny Dreadful: City of Angels, Jane the Virgin and Empire.
The 46-year-old Puerto Rican and Cuban-American actor and former Magic Mike star will be returning to the world of male strippers as he joinsThe Real Magic Mike! (working title), HBO Max’s upcoming unscripted competition series.
Rodriguez, who played Tito in the 2012 film and 2015 sequel, has joined the project as a mentor and executive producer.
The series, from the producers behind the Magic Mike franchise and live shows, begins production next month in Las Vegas and is set to debut on HBO Max later this year. Channing Tatum, who starred in the titular role in both Magic Mike films, and director Steven Soderbergh, are among the series’ executive producers.
The competition series will transform a group of men into real-life Magic Mikes. Ten men who have “lost their magic” will come together, baring their souls and more as they learn to perform routines with one being crowned the Real Magic Mike. The winner will pocket a cash prize and an opportunity to perform on the Magic Mike Live stage in Las Vegas.
The Real Magic Mike! (wt) is produced by Eureka Productions and Warner Bros. Unscripted Television in association with Warner Horizon.
In addition to his role as Tito in both Magic Mike feature films, Rodriguez starred as Eric Delko in CSI: Miamiand as Luke Alvez in Criminal Minds.
His other recent television credits include Penny Dreadful: City of Angels, Jane the Virginand Empire, among others.
IMDb TV, Amazon’s free ad-supported streaming service, has given a formal series green light to Sprung, starring the Latino actor.
The single-camera comedy hails from My Name Is Earl, Raising Hope andThe Guest Bookcreator Greg Garcia, 3 Arts and Amazon Studios.
Sprung, centered on an unlikely group of formerly incarcerated people who band together to use their criminal expertise for good, will also star Garret Dillahunt and Illeana Douglas.
Sprung follows Jack (Dillahunt), a convicted criminal who is determined to change course and reclaim his lost years after serving more than two decades in prison. With no place to live post-release, and a global pandemic bringing the world to a virtual standstill, Jack moves in with his former cellmate Rooster (Phillip Garcia), Rooster’s mom Barb (Douglas), and Jack’s former prison girlfriend Gloria. Bound by their marred past and unusual living circumstances, they decide to start righting some of society’s wrongs, targeting those people selfishly taking advantage of others during the pandemic.
“I couldn’t be more excited to start working with this talented cast and I’m very grateful to 3 Arts, Amazon Studios and IMDb TV for helping me bring this idea to life,” said Garcia. “The support and creative partnership with the folks at IMDb TV has been amazing and working with Garret Dillahunt again is an absolute treat. With any luck we’ll create something entertaining that gives the audience a few laughs and makes their day a little brighter.”
In conjunction with the pickup of Sprung, Garcia’s Emmy-winning NBC series My Name is Earlwill join the IMDb TV library on May 1.
“I’m so proud of this show. Greg Garcia is one of the most talented people I know, and I feel so lucky to be working with him again,” said Dillahunt. “The world really needs a good laugh – and we’ve been working hard to that end.”
Phillip Garcia had notable guest starring roles in Criminal Minds, S.W.A.T.and Station 19.
The Latin actress will star in Epix’s half-hour dramedy Bridge and Tunnel.
The network has given a six-episode series order to the series, which is written, directed and produced by Edward Burns. It’s slated for a January 24, 2021 premiere.
The project, previously titled Gibson Station, was part of Epix’s 2020 development slate unveiled in January.
Set in 1980, Bridge and Tunnel revolves around a group of recent college grads setting out to pursue their dreams in Manhattan while still clinging to the familiarity of their working-class Long Island home town. Production is currently underway in New York.
In addition to Zumbado, the series’ ensemble cast includes Sam Vartholomeos, Caitlin Stasey, JanLuis Castellanos, Brian Muller and Isabella Farrell.
In addition to Burns, the series is also executive produced by his producing partner Aaron Lubin and Lori Keith Douglas. This is the second series from Epix Productions. Bridge and Tunnel will be internationally distributed by MGM.
Zumbado will portray Tammy. A sweet, studious, shy former high school Valedictorian, and recently admitted to Columbia Business School, Tammy is biding her time in the summer working as a waitress in the town diner, but finally telling the man she’s always loved her true feelings.
Castellanos is Mikey. Charming and frequently the object of desire, Mikey received his college degree in accounting to appease his family and fit in. With the help of Tammy, he begins to rediscover his passion as an artist, and confronts the idea of abandoning a safer path to consider a future in the arts.
Zumbado’s previous credits include Graceland, Scream: The TV Series, Criminal Minds and 9-1-1.
Castellanos’ previous credits include 13 Reasons Why, Runaways and Don’t Look Deeper.
The CW’s has recast the role of Cristal Jennings in its Dynasty reboot with the 40-year-old half-Puerto Rican and part-Peruvian actress.
Ana Brenda Contreras — who played Cristal in Season 2 — is leaving, and Alonso is now poised to step into her stilettos.
“Unfortunately, Ana Brenda Contreras will not be returning for the third season of Dynasty due to personal reasons,” executive producer/showrunner Josh Reims said. “We’d like to thank her for her contributions to the show and wish her all the best. We’re excited to welcome Daniella Alonso who will step into the role of Cristal.”
Alonso’s previous credits include Revolution, The Night Shift, The Resident, Criminal Minds, Animal Kingdom, Being Mary Jane, and the film Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2.
Dynasty has gone through a series of casting changes over the past two seasons. One of the original leads, Nathalie Kelley, departed at the end of Season 1. In addition, Elizabeth Gilliestook over the role of Alexis from Nicollette Sheridan.
Season 3 of Dynasty is set to premiere on Friday, October 11 at 9:00 pm ET.
The 56-year-old Puerto Rican actor has been cast in the series Titans.
He’ll portray Deathstroke, the fan-favorite assassin and archenemy of Teen Titans leader Dick Grayson.
The Titans, the first original programming franchise for the DC Universesubscription steaming site, launched in September and finished its first season in December. The weekly show follows the superhero squad that’s led by Batman’s former sidekick, Robin, aka Dick Grayson (Brenton Thwaites), and includes the hot-tempered alien princess Starfire (Anna Diop), the mysterious empath Raven (Teagan Croft), and the green-skinned shape-shifter Beast Boy (Ryan Potter).
That Titans line-up of characters was introduced with much fanfare in the pages of DC Comicsback in 1980. The team, created by Marv Wolfmanand George Perez, didn’t have to wait long to find their signature antagonist: Deathstroke the Terminatorwas introduced in issue No. 2 of The New Teen Titansin December 1980.
The character bio from the show’s producers: “Slade Wilson is known for being DC’s deadliest assassin. While serving his country, Slade became an elite soldier before government testing enhanced his physiology to near superhuman levels, putting him on a path of darkness and revenge. To his family, Slade is a father and husband, but to the rest of the world, he is feared by many as the infamous Deathstroke; selling his services to the highest bidder as the ruthless assassin that never gives up and never misses.”
The character is well known to fans of the popular Teen Titans animated series from Cartoon Network as well as the show’s 2018 tie-in feature film Teen Titans Go! to the Movies. Deathstrokehas also been portrayed by Manu Bennett in 36 episodes of The CWseries Arrow while Joe Manganiello (True Blood) appeared as the assassin in the 2017 feature film Justice League but only with an uncredited cameo.
The DC Comics character represents an interesting footnote in Marvel Comicshistory. The character Deadpool, portrayed by Ryan Reynoldsin the popular R-rated Foxfilm franchise, was created by Fabian Niciezaand Rob Liefeldin 1990 as a thinly disguised version of the DC villain. Not only do the characters share similar costumes, Deadpool’s alias is Wade Wilson, which in fact rhymes with Slade Wilson.
Adding a bit more confusion, both Deadpool and Deathstroke have similar attributes to Deadshot, a DC Comics villain introduced in the 1970s and portrayed by Will Smithon the big screen in Suicide Squad in 2016.
Morales, rose to acclaim in his feature film breakthrough role as Bob Morales in Taylor Hackford’s La Bamba, the landmark 1985 biopic about Ritchie Valens.
Morales’ feature film credits include Bad Boys, Mi Familia, Fast Food Nation, The Line, The Disappearance of Garcia Lorcaand Gun Hill Road, a film he executive produced and starred in. Gun Hill Road was a grand Jury Nominee at the Sundance Film Festivalin 2011. Most recently he starred in Sony’s Superflyand the indie film The Wall of Mexico.
Morales’ recent television credits include Ozark(Netflix), Mozart In The Jungle (Amazon Prime), Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO), and Chicago PD (NBC). Morales also had notable credits over the years on shows such as NYPD Blue (ABC), Miami Vice (NBC),Fame (NBC) Law and Order: SVU (NBC), Caprica(Syfy), and Criminal Minds (CBS).
The Spanish actress will star opposite Peyton List, Brooke Shields and Ben J. Pierce in The CW’s drama pilot Glamorous.
The project hailsfrom Damon Wayans Jr. and his Two Shakes Entertainment, writer Jordon Nardinoand CBS Television Studios.
Written by Nardino and directed by Eva Longoriain her pilot-directing debut, Glamorous centers on Marco (Pierce), a gender-nonconforming recent high school graduate who lands the gig of a lifetime interning at a cosmetics company whose products he panned on YouTube.
Santiago will portray Julia, a no-nonsense lawyer who has raised her son in a loving and supportive environment where he’s always been held to the highest of standards. As her son leaves the nest for the first time, Julia fights to keep him on the ambitious (if colorless) path in life she is absolutely certain is best for him
List will play AlyssaSays, an over-the-top YouTubepersonality with a competitive edge who finds an unexpected home at the same cosmetics firm as Marco.
Santiago was recently seen in the critically praised The Hate U Give and is best known for her guest-starring and recurring appearances on Grey’s Anatomy, Longmire, Scandal, How to Get Away With Murder andCriminal Minds. Her producing debut, Illegal, in which she also stars, will premiere in competition at the upcoming Pasadena Film Festival.
The Latino actor has landed a recurring role on ABC’s Roseanne spinoff The Conners.
In the spinoff, after the loss of the family matriarch, the Conners are forced to face the daily struggles of life in Lanford in a way they never have before, grappling with parenthood, dating, an unexpected pregnancy, financial pressures, aging and in-laws in working-class America.
Rosado will play Emilio, who is described as kind, sweet and cute. He’s a busser at Casita Bonita restaurant. Though he may have some trouble communicating in English, when he speaks his first language, Spanish, he is straightforward, earnest and determined.
Rosado most recently had a recurring role on TNT’s Major Crimes. His other credits include appearances on Code Black, Criminal Minds and Rizzoli & Isles.
Adam Rodriguez will still be Minds-ing his business…
CBS has renewed its veteran drama Criminal Minds, starring the 43-year-old Puerto Rican and Cuban American actor, for a 14th season.
After a long run at 9:00 pm, Criminal Minds moved to 10:00 pm this season. It has improved the time period and is doing well in delayed viewing.
The crime drama ended its 13th season on a cliffhanger, reportedly with the blessing of CBS. A cancellation would’ve robbed the show’s loyal fans of a proper ending and would’ve deprived the series of hitting the 300th episode milestone, ending its run with 299.
Now Criminal Minds‘ Season 14 premiere will also mark the show’s 300th episode, giving it an extra promotional push.
Criminal Minds revolves around an elite team of FBI profilers who analyze the country’s most twisted criminal minds, anticipating their next moves before they strike again. Joe Mantegna stars as David Rossi, along with Paget Brewster as Emily Prentiss, Matthew Gray Gubler as Dr. Spencer Reid, A.J. Cook as Jennifer “JJ” Jareau, Aisha Tyler as Dr. Tara Lewis, Kirsten Vangsness as Penelope Garcia, Rodriguez as Luke Alvez and Daniel Henney as Matt Simmons.
ABC Studios produces in association with CBS Television Studios.
