Peacock to Premiere “Queer as Folk” Reboot, Starring Johnny Sibilly, in June

This upcoming Pride Month will be extra special for Johnny Sibilly

Along with releasing the first official trailer for the 34-year-old Cuban and Dominican American actor’s Queer As Folk reboot, Peacock has announced plans to premiere the series on Thursday, June 9.

Johnny SibillyThe series, a vibrant reimagining of the groundbreaking British series created by Russell T. Davies, explores a diverse group of friends in New Orleans whose lives are transformed in the aftermath of a tragedy.

From creator Stephen DunnQueer As Folk stars Devin Way, Fin Argus, Jesse James Keitel, CG, Sibilly and Ryan O’Connell. Recurring cast includes Kim Cattrall, Juliette Lewis, Ed Begley Jr., Chris Renfro, and Nyle DiMarco, among others.

Lee Eisenberg, Emily Brecht, original British series creator Russell T. Davies, Nicola Shindler, serve as executive producers, and Louise Pedersen on behalf of All3 Media International, which distributes the format and the original British series produced by Red Productions for Channel 4.

Creator, writer, and executive producer Stephen Dunn will direct the pilot and other episodes, while Jaclyn Moore will act as writer and executive producer.  UCP, a division of Universal Studio Group, is named producer on the show.

Guillermo Díaz to Take Part in Virtual Benefit Reading of Larry Kramer’s “The Normal Heart”

It’s a new normal for Guillermo Díaz.

The 46-year-old Cuban-American actor is among the all-star cast for a virtual benefit reading of Larry Kramer’s The Normal Heart, which will be directed by Paris Barclay.

Guillermo Diaz

The May 8 reading, which aims to raise funds for ONE Archives Foundation and Invisible Histories Project, will include a special introduction by Martin Sheen.

Sterling K. Brown, Laverne Cox, Jeremy Pope and Jake Borelli are among the cast; Ryan O’Connell; Daniel Newman; Jay Hayden and Danielle Savr.

The reading, according to producers, will mark the first performance of Kramer’s Tony Award-winning play to be performed by a predominately BIPOC and LGBTQ cast.

“When I was approached by ONE Archives Foundation to direct a virtual reading of The Normal Heart, I knew it was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up,” said Barclay. “I lived in New York through the 1980s, saw the original production with Brad Davis, and have never forgotten the experience. And through today’s lens, the story of a marginalized people pushed to activism by the onslaught of an epidemic clearly was worth telling again.”

Funds raised from this event will support ONE Archives Foundation’s LGBTQ education initiatives, including K-12 lesson plans on HIV/AIDS, teacher trainings, youth engagement, and ONE Archives Foundation’s exhibitions.

The benefit also supports Invisible Histories Project’s efforts to preserve the legacy of HIV/AIDS and LGBTQ activists through archiving, inclusion training, exhibitions, and programs about Southern LGBTQ history.

The Normal Heart chronicles the early days of the HIV/AIDS crisis in New York City, based on Kramer’s cofounding the Gay Men’s Health Crisis in 1982.

The play premiered Off Broadway at New York’s Public Theater in 1985, and was staged on Broadway by director Joel Grey and starring Joe Mantello in 2011, winning a Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play. Ryan Murphy directed a 2014 film adaptation for HBO.

Tickets go on sale on April 8 here. The reading is scheduled for Saturday, May 8 at 5:00 pm ET.

Ana Ortiz to Appear on Second Season of Netflix’s Comedy Series “Special”

It’s a special time for Ana Ortiz

The 50-year-old half-Puerto Rican actress has landed a recurring role on the second season of Netflix’s Emmy-nominated comedy series Special, created by and starring Ryan O’Connell.

Ana Ortiz

Ortiz joins a roster of cast newcomers that includes Charlie Barnett, Max Jenkins, Utkarsh Ambudkar, Lauren Weedman, newcomer Buck Andrews, Anjali Bhimani, Ajay Mehta and Karan Soni.

Additionally, Leslie Jordan (Will & Grace) will appear in a guest-starring role.

Based on O’Connell’s part-memoir, part-manifesto I’m Special: And Other Lies We Tell Ourselves, Special hails from Warner Bros. Television, Jim Parsons and Todd Spiewak’s That’s Wonderful Productions, Campfire and Stage 13.

The semi-autobiographical centers on a gay man with mild cerebral palsy, played by O’Connell, who decides to rewrite his identity as an accident victim and finally go after the life he wants. O’Connell also writes the series and executive produces.

The Season 2 logline: “Ryan really needs to get his shit together. It’s been two months and he still hasn’t spoken to Karen since their fight and he has a gnarly case of writer’s block that’s getting him in hot water with Olivia. Enter Tanner, a fun, flirty dance instructor who charms Ryan despite not being totally available. When his writer’s block eventually lifts, he’s inspired to write a longform piece about disability. From there, he begins a journey of self-discovery that creates unexpected complications in his relationship with Tanner. Meanwhile, Kim lets her guard down when she meets Harrison, a sensitive tech mogul with a humble background – but her insecurities and jealous tendencies continue to hamper her personal life and threaten to push Harrison away. With her spiraling credit card debt driving Kim even further towards rock bottom, she makes a hard choice to regain control of her finances and personal life. Since taking care of Ryan was her life’s purpose until their fight, Karen realizes that she needs to take an active approach to create a fulfilling life for herself – beyond just taking care of her ailing mother. Will she be content with continuing to clean up everyone else’s messes, or will Karen be able to lean into her newfound independence and create a life that centers around her own desires for once? This season is about our primary characters—Ryan, Karen and Kim—coming into their power and realizing they all deserve big gorgeous lives—whether society agrees or not, bitch!”

Ortiz plays Susan, Phil’s new girlfriend. Charming and outgoing, she empathizes with Karen’s struggle to parent Ryan, as she also has a strained relationship with her child.

In addition to O’Connell, Jessica Hecht and Punam Patel return as series regulars. Marla Mindelle, Gina Hughes and Patrick Fabian return as guest stars this season.

Special is created, written and executive produced by O’Connell.

Craig Johnson will direct episodes 205-208.

Diane Guerrero to Present at This Year’s Creative Arts Emmys

Diane Guerrero is getting Creative

The Television Academy has announced the first group of presenters for the 2019 Creative Arts Emmys, which will be doled out in dual ceremonies next month, with the 33-year-old Colombian American actress and Orange is the New Black star making the list.

Diane Guerrero

Guerrero will take the stage for Night 1 on Saturday, September 14. She joins a roster of presenters that includes Jon Favreau and Roy ChoiJeff GoldblumMarie KondoLisa Kudrow,Sig HansenDerek Hough and Wanda Sykes.

Highlighting the presenters at the second show on Sunday, September 15, is a reunion of In Living Color cast members including Keenen Ivory WayansShawn WayansDavid Alan Grierand Tommy Davidson. Also set are Alfie AllenCharlie BarnettRachel BloomRon Cephas JonesRob CorddryLaverne CoxLisa Edelstein,Anna Konkleand Maya ErskineChris O’Dowd,Ryan O’ConnellWendell PierceMarcus Scribnerand Michaela Watkins.

The 2019 Creative Arts Emmy Awards will start at 5:00 pm both nights at the Microsoft Theaterin Los Angeles. FXXwill air the awards at 8:00 pm on Saturday, September 21.