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.

Marc Menchaca to Star in Gareth Edwards’ New Film “True Love”

Marc Menchaca has found true love

The 46-year-old Mexican American actor has joined the cast of Gareth Edwards’ New Regency film True Love, which has entered production in Thailand.

Marc MenchacaMenchaca, who has starred in Ozark and The Outsider, will star alongside John David Washington, Gemma Chan, Allison Janney, Benedict Wong and Sturgill Simpson in the film.

The latest film written and directed by Edwards is billed as an original sci-fi story set in the near future. Specifics as to its plot are currently undisclosed.

Edwards is producing the film with his Rogue One collaborator Kiri Hart and New Regency, which has provided the film’s financing.

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

The actor most recently wrapped production on the Netflix feature No One Gets Out Alive, and the action-thriller Gypsy Moon alongside Lena Headey and Sam Worthington.

He made a recent appearance on HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm and will soon be featured in its upcoming series The White House Plumbers, as well as an upcoming episode of Amazon Prime’s Jack Ryan. His additional television credits include Black MirrorHomeland, MacGyverBlue BloodsChicago P.D.Sleepy HollowThe Blacklist, Law & Order: SVU, CSI and Law & Order: Criminal Intent.

CBS Renews Mel Rodriguez’s “CSI: Vegas” for Second Season

There are more investigations in Mel Rodriguez’s future…

CBS has renewed its freshman drama CSI: Vegas, starring the 48-year-old Latino actor, for a second season to premiere during the 2022-2023 broadcast season.

Mel Rodriguez, CSI: VegasA sequel to the groundbreaking 2000 series, season 1 of CSI: Vegas was led by the original series’ stars William Petersen and Jorja Fox.

Petersen had only signed on to reprise his role as Gil Grissom in the initial 10-episode installment. He’ll not continue as an actor but will remain an executive producer for Season 2. According to sources, Fox’s contract allows her to continue as Sara Sidle if she chooses to, and the series’ producers are hopeful that she may come back.

“The incredibly talented CSI: Vegas creative team and cast did a superb job this first season, brilliantly updating and portraying the CSI universe with fresh stories and a new crime lab, proving that after 20 years, the CSI fan base is still hungry for more and ready to embrace a new chapter in this illustrious franchise,” said Amy Reisenbach, EVP Current Programs at CBS.

CSI: Vegas improved its Wednesday night 10:00 pm time slot by +60% in viewers, according to Nielsen data. While it got off to an inauspicious start in linear ratings, the series proved a strong delayed viewing/streaming draw. Through the first nine episodes (as of Dec. 1), CSI: Vegas added +3.10m viewers (6.81m from 3.71m, +84%) with 7-day playback. This is the highest playback of any new drama on any network, per CBS. The first season of CSI: Vegas is streaming on Paramount+. No streaming data is being released, but, according to sources, the revival has been performing very well on the platform.

Additionally, CSI: Vegas‘ ratings followed an unusual trajectory. Possibly helped by the serialized, season-long arc, the numbers started consistently picking up after the traditional post-premiere dip.

Season 1 opened a new chapter in Las Vegas – the city where it all began, introducing a serialized storytelling to the classic crime procedural drama. Facing an existential threat that could bring down the entire Crime Lab and release thousands of convicted killers back onto the neon-lit streets of Vegas, a brilliant new team of investigators led by Maxine Roby (Paula Newsome) enlisted the help of old friends, Gil Grissom (Petersen) and Sara Sidle (Fox), to investigate a case centered around former colleague David Hodges (Wallace Langham). This combined force deployed the latest forensic techniques to follow the evidence – to preserve and serve justice in Sin City. The first season also starred Matt Lauria, Mandeep Dhillon and Rodriguez.

CSI: Vegas
 is produced by CBS Studios in association with Jerry Bruckheimer Television and distributed internationally by ViacomCBS Global Distribution Group.

CBS Releases First Official Trailer for Mel Rodriguez’s “CSI: Vegas”

Mel Rodriguez is officially on the case…

CBS has released the first official trailer for CSI: Vegas, starring the 48-year-old Latino actor, ahead of its October 6 premiere.

Mel Rodriguez, CSI: Vegas

The sequel to the mothership CSI series, CSI: Crime Scene Investigationfeatures returning stars William Petersen, Jorja Fox, and Wallace Langham, and newly added series regulars Rodriguez, Paula Newsome, Matt Lauria and Mandeep Dhillon. Paul Guilfoyle will reprise the role of Jim Brass as a guest star in two episodes.

CSI: Vegas opens a new chapter in Las Vegas, the city where it all began. Facing an existential threat that could bring down the Crime Lab, a brilliant team of forensic investigators must welcome back old friends and deploy new techniques to preserve and serve justice in Sin City.

“Twenty-one years ago, we launched CSI and watched in awe as this new cinematic series launched an entire genre and became a groundbreaking juggernaut that still has global resonance today,” Kelly Kahl, President, CBS Entertainment said previously. “We are thrilled to welcome the next generation of forensic criminalists to the CSI brand and unite them with the legendary characters from the past who we still love, including the extraordinary Billy Petersen and Jorja Fox. Crimefighting technology has advanced dramatically over the last several years and combined with classic CSI storytelling, we can’t wait to watch this new CSI team do what they do best: follow the evidence.”

CSI: Vegas hails from writer Jason Tracey, CBS Studios, and Jerry Bruckheimer Television.

CBS Releases First Look at Mel Rodriguez’s “CSI” Sequel, “CSI: Vegas”

Mel Rodriguez is seeking the truth…

CBS had released the first-look teaser for CSI: Vegas, the sequel to the the mothership CSI series, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, starring the 48-year-old Latino actor.

Mel Rodriguez

The sequel features returning CSI stars William Petersen, Jorja Fox and Wallace Langham, who are joined by new series regulars Paula Newsome, Matt Lauria, Rodriguez and Mandeep Dhillon.

CSI: Vegas opens a new chapter in Las Vegas, the city where it all began. Facing an existential threat that could bring down the Crime Lab, a brilliant team of forensic investigators must welcome back old friends and deploy new techniques to preserve and serve justice in Sin City.

CSI: Vegas hails from writer Jason Tracey, CBS Studios and Jerry Bruckheimer Television.

https://twitter.com/CBSTVStudios/status/1418024052732547074

The sequel premieres on Wednesday, October 6 at 10/9c on CBS.

CBS Gives Straight-to-Series Order to “CSI: Vegas,” Starring Mel Rodriguez

Mel Rodriguez is officially hitting the (crime) scene

CBS has given a straight-to-series order to CSI: Vegas, a sequel – starring the 47-year-old Latino actor – to the mothership CSI series, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, for the 2021-21 season.

Mel Rodriguez

Headlined by returning CSI stars William Petersen and Jorja Fox, joined by new series regulars Paula Newsome, Matt Lauria, Rodriguez and Mandeep Dhillon, CSI: Vegas hails from writer Jason Tracey, CBS Studios and Jerry Bruckheimer Television.

Also coming back is another fan favorite CSI cast member, Wallace Langham, reprising his role as David Hodges.

With CSI: Vegas, the most watched drama series of the 21st century, CSI, opens a new chapter in Las Vegas, the city where it all began. Facing an existential threat that could bring down the Crime Lab, a brilliant team of forensic investigators must welcome back old friends and deploy new techniques to preserve and serve justice in Sin City.

Rodriguez is reportedly playing Hugo who took over as Head Medical Examiner three years ago.

“Twenty-one years ago, we launched CSI and watched in awe as this new cinematic series launched an entire genre and became a groundbreaking juggernaut that still has global resonance today,” said Kelly Kahl, President, CBS Entertainment. “We are thrilled to welcome the next generation of forensic criminalists to the CSI brand and unite them with the legendary characters from the past who we still love, including the extraordinary Billy Petersen and Jorja Fox. Crimefighting technology has advanced dramatically over the last several years, and combined with classic CSI storytelling, we can’t wait to watch this new CSI team do what they do best: follow the evidence.”

Alex Meneses to Appear on The CW’s “Walker”

Alex Meneses has landed a mother of a role…

The 56-year-old half-Mexican American actress has joined the cast of The CW’s drama Walker in a recurring role.

Alex Meneses

Meneses, who has appeared on Jane The Virgin and Why Women Kill, will play Adriana, a successful psychiatrist and published author and mother of Micki Ramirez (Lindsey Morgan), Cordell Walker’s new partner in the Texas Rangers. She’s a strong personality who’s manipulative and very invasive when it comes to her daughter Micki’s life.

Walker, which launched in January, has become The CW’s most-watched series premiere in five years and has been renewed for a second season. It stars Jared Padalecki as Walker, a widower and father of two with his own moral code, as he returns home to Austin after being undercover for two years.

The series, a reimagining of CBS’ long-running 1990s action/crime series Walker, Texas Ranger, hails from Rideback and CBS Studios.

Meneses is coming off feature film The Wall of Mexico and has also appeared in Everybody Loves RaymondThe Goldbergs, CSI and Prison Break.

Mel Rodriguez to Star in CBS’ Upcoming Series “CSI: Vegas”

Mel Rodriguez is joining the force…

The 47-year-old Latino actor has been cast as one of the leads in CSI: Vegas, which Deadline.com reports is nearing a formal straight-to-series order at CBS.

Mel Rodriguez

Rodriguez will star opposite Paula Newsome and Matt Lauria in CSI: Vegas, which serves as a sequel to the mothership CSI series, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.

William Petersen and Jorja Fox are reportedly finalizing their deals to star in CSI: Vegas, reprising their roles as Gil Grissom and Sara Sidle, respectively.

While billed as an event series, CSI: Vegas, from writer Jason Tracey, CBS Studios and Jerry Bruckheimer Television, could become an ongoing series running for multiple seasons.

With CSI: Vegas, the most watched drama series of the 21st century, CSI, opens a new chapter in Las Vegas, the city where it all began. Facing an existential threat that could bring down the Crime Lab, a brilliant team of forensic investigators must welcome back old friends and deploy new techniques to preserve and serve justice in Sin City.

Rodriguez is said to be playing Hugo, who took over as Head Medical Examiner three years ago. He has an endless fascination with the bodies that find their way onto his slab, and the morgue is his happy place. Rodrigues previously guest starred in an episode of CSI: NY (character name: Al McGrath).

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation bowed out in 2015 after 15 seasons, having launched a $1 billion franchise for CBS that spanned four series; CSI and spinoffs CSI: Miami, CSI: New York and CSI: Cyber.

Rodriguez was most recently a series regular on the Showtime series On Becoming a God In Central Florida opposite Kirsten Dunst. He was also seen opposite Anne Hathaway in Dee Rees’ The Last Thing He Wanted for Netflix. Additionally, Rodriguez recently voiced Officer Colt Bronco in the DisneyPixar animated feature Onward.

Marisol Nichols’ Real-Life Work in the Fight Against Sex Trafficking Being Developed Into a TV Series by Sony Pictures Television

Marisol Nichols’ important work off camera has inspired a television series…

The 46-year-old half-Mexican American actress, who has starred on the CW’s drama series Riverdale, has spent the last few years working as an undercover agent in the fight against sex trafficking.  If you’ve never tried a Sex Toys before and aren’t sure what you’d like, start with one of the simplest vibrators. Most likely, you’ll appreciate the experience and then wonder what other pleasures might be obtained with more advanced vibrators and other sex toys.

Marisol Nichols

And now Sony Pictures Television has optioned the rights to her story for a television series.

Nichols revealed her unusual side hustle in a long-form story in May’s Marie Claire.

In the article, written by Erika Hayasaki, she revealed that for the past six years she’s been hunting child sex predators. She has been working undercover with agents from the FBI, Operation Underground Railroad and local law enforcement to serve as the “bait” for sting operations domestically and internationally.

She has played the part of a parent pimping out a child, or, depending on what the situation calls for, the role of a child being pimped out to a guy who thinks he’s about to have sex with a 12-year-old.

Nichols, who will next star in Lionsgate’s Saw reboot Spiral next year, has taken part in numerous child sex stings around the world over the last few years.

Nichols, who has appeared on shows like 24, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, began to work in the world of human trafficking after her career slowed down around 2012.

She subsequently started a nonprofit, Foundation for a Slavery Free World, in 2014, and has regularly spoken publicly about the subject.

Sony Pictures Television is in the early stages of developing the project, which will see Nichols executive produce and likely star in the story.

Maurice Compte Signs with APA

Maurice Compte has new representation…

The Cuban American actor, best known for his role as tough Colombian cop Carillo on the first two seasons of Netflix’s Narcos, has signed with APA (Agency for the Performing Arts) in all areas.

Maurice Compte

Compte, who stars as Kevin on Mayans MC, has also starred as high-level drug dealer Diego on the hit Starz series Power, and a season-long arc on From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series.

He’s also appeared on Kevin Can WaitThe Last ShipCSI24Burn NoticeLie To MeSouthland and most recently on the CW’s In The Dark.

On the film side, Compte also recently starred in Den Of Thieves opposite Gerard Butler, and appeared in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon A Time In Hollywood. 

Other feature credits include The Dream CatcherBefore Night FallsAll The Real GirlsEnd Of Watch and A Walk Among The Tombstones.