Debra Moore Muñoz Signs Overall Content Deal with FX Productions

Debra Moore Muñoz has a new content deal…

The Mexican-American writer and producer, a co-executive producer and writer on FX’s Mayans M.C., has signed an overall deal with the show’s producer, FX Productions, to develop new content for FX through her company Apogee Films, Inc.

Debra Moore Muñoz

Muñoz is a first generation American who was born and raised in Los Angeles. She attended Columbia University in New York City, then returned to LA to begin her career in film development.

She worked on projects like Exodus: Gods and Kings, The Heat and St. Vincent before transitioning into television, serving first as a general assistant, then as a writers’ assistant on Westworld from 2016 to 2018.

In 2019, she was included on the 2019 Black List for her script Refuge, which follows a brother and sister through Central America as they seek safety in the United States.

In 2021, Muñoz joined the writing staff of Mayans M.C., which stars JD Pardo as Ezekiel “EZ” Reyes, a new member of the Mayans M.C. charter on the border of California and Mexico. EZ and his brother Angel (Clayton Cardenas) uncover the truth behind their mother’s murder while their father Felipe (Edward James Olmos) struggles to reconcile the choices he and his sons have made. Muñoz was recently promoted to co-executive producer.

“Debra has emerged as one of the brightest writers and producers in the industry and FX was fortunate to have her on the writing staff of ‘Mayans M.C’. since its inception,” said Nick Grad, FX’s president of original programming. “We look forward to collaborating with her for new projects that draw on her enormous talents.”

Valverde to Star in the Epic Love Story “Ali & Nino”

Maria Valverde is ready for a high profile Romeo & Juliet-esque project…

The 27-year-old Spanish actress, who recently starred in Exodus: Gods And Kings, has signed on to star in the coveted role of Nino in epic love story Ali & Nino.

Maria Valverde

She’ll join the previously announced Adam Bakri (Omar) in director Asif Kapadia’s (Senna) big-screen adaptation of Kurban Said’s best-selling Azerbaijan-set novel about two star-crossed lovers.

The story begins in the melting pot of Baku at the turn of the 20th century. Ali is a Muslim, with his warrior ancestors’ passion for the desert; and Nino is a Christian Georgian girl with sophisticated European ways. The childhood sweethearts find their lives interrupted when WW1 breaks out and Baku’s oil becomes the focus of Russia’s vie for power. As the war plays out and control of the Caucuses changes hands, Ali and Nino find themselves swept up in Azerbaijan’s fight for independence.

Christopher Hampton (Dangerous Liaisons) wrote the script.

Principal photography will commence in Azerbaijan and Turkey next month.

Valverde won a Goya Award for her film debut, La Flaqueza del Bolchevique.

 

Freixenet Releases New Ad Featuring Bisbal’s New English Song “Closer Tonight”

David Bisbal is coming out swinging

The 35-year-old Spanish pop star has released his new English-language song “Closer Tonight” in a New Year’s Eve ad for Freixenet. The track with a jazz hot vibe will be included on a gold edition of his album Tu y Yo, which is set for release on December 9.

David Bisbal's Freixenet Ad

In a black tie and with his signature curls slicked down, Bisbal is front and center in the glitzy spot that celebrates the 100th anniversary of sparkling wine leader.

Flappers dressed in gold-fringed mini dresses start a party in a wine cellar that continues through the decades until 2014, when the dancers join Bisbal at an outdoor party wearing sequined leotards with hoodies.

Young Spanish actress Maria Valverde, featured in Ridley Scott’s upcoming Exodus: Gods and Kings, also stars in the ad, which was released on Freixenet’s YouTube channel late Tuesday night (Nov. 25).

The New Year’s cava commercial was directed by Goya Award winner Kike Maíllo, who also directed a fictional film based on Bisbal’s Tu y Yo tour that debuted earlier this year.

The ad was filmed at Freixenet’s headquarters outside of Barcelona. Freixenet Cordon Negro Brut is the world’s best-selling champagne-method sparkling wine, according to the brand.

Bisbal, known for his romantic ballads, has a lot to celebrate this year. Tu y Yo, the artist’s fifth studio album, debuted at No. 1 in Spain and was immediately certified double platinum for shipments of over 80,000 copies.

Bisbal is currently on a Latin American tour that culminates with December 14 concert in Madrid. He’ll take part in Televisa’s Canal de las Estrellas channel’s New Year’s Eve countdown, broadcast on December 31.