Alejandro Patiño Starring Opposite Matt Bomer in the Heartfelt Drama “Papi Chulo”

It’s Papi time for Alejandro Patiño

The Latino actor stars opposite Magic Mike hunk Matt Bomer in the heartfelt drama Papi Chulo, a story that explores a friendship between two very different people.

Alejandro Patiño

Making its World Premiere at the Toronto Film Festival on September 8, Papi Chulois writer-director John Butler’s third feature to premiere at TIFF.

The film follows a single TV weatherman (Bomer) living in Los Angeles who is put on leave from work. While on leave, he tries to enjoy his time alone but realizes this solitary lifestyle isn’t for him. When he drives past a hardware store, he spots Ernesto (Patiño, in his first leading feature role), a middle-aged Latino migrant with a friendly face, and hires him to do some home repairs. Despite the language barrier, they develop an unexpected but profound friendship based on the everlasting need for connection.

The film is a new take on the buddy comedy with two very different people as it provides commentary on empathy, stereotypes, and xenophobia — two of today’s very timely topics.

Patiño’s previous credits include appearances on Superstore, Life in Pieces, The Bridge and East Los High.

Click here to see the trailer.

CBS Gives Stephanie Sigman’s Drama Series “S.W.A.T.” a Full Season Order

Stephanie Sigman is going full time

CBS has ordered two episodes each the new drama series S.W.A.T., starring the Mexican-American actress.

Stephanie Sigman

Hailing from Sony Pictures Television Studios and co-produced by CBS Television Studios, S.W.A.T. originally received an order for seven more episodes two weeks ago, bringing its total to 20 episodes. That was two short of a traditional full season (22 episodes) but was considered full season as S.W.A.T. launched more than a month after the start of the season.

S.W.A.T.‘s total is now going up to 22 episodes.

In its most recent airing last night, the drama toplined by Shemar Moore drew 6.63 million viewers and a 1.0 rating in adults 18-49 (Live+Same Day). The viewership was up +14% from last week when CBS’ primetime lineup was boosted by a big NFL lead-in, logging the crime drama’s largest L+SD audience since the series premiere. In the 18-49 demo, S.W.A.T was off by a tenth from its football-assisted Thanksgiving delivery but up a tenth from the Thursday before that.

Sigman, who previously appeared on The Bridge, Narcos and American Crime, stars at Jessica Cortez on the series.

Norberto Barba to Direct Reshoot of FX’s “Sons of Anarchy” Spinoff Pilot “Mayans MC”

Norberto Barba is stepping into a world of Anarchy

The 53-year-old Latino television and film director, a three-time Alma Award-nominee, will direct and executive produce the redo of Kurt Sutter’s FX Sons of Anarchy spinoff pilot Mayans MC.

Norberto Barba

The pilot is undergoing a reshoot and a recasting of some key roles, according to Deadline.

Sutter, who initially was planning to direct the pilot, will focus on writing and hand reshoot duties to Barba.

Recasting is underway, with production expected to begin in late summer.

Set in the aftermath of Jax Teller’s death at the end of SOA’s seven-season run in 2014, Mayans MC will focus on the struggles of EZ Reyes, a prospect in the Mayan MC charter on the California/Mexico border.

Barba served as executive producer/director on all six seasons of Grimm and most recently directed episodes of Preacher and The Strain.

His other television directing credits include Designated Survivor, Chicago Justice, Pure Genius, Ice and The Bridge.

Raul Mendez to Star in Lifetime’s Original Movie “Cocaine Godmother”

Raul Mendez has landed a Godmother of a role…

The 42-year-old Mexican actor will star in Lifetime’s original movie Cocaine Godmother, starring Catherine Zeta-Jones.

Raul Mendez

Directed by Guillermo Navarro, Cocaine Godmother is based on the life of Miami drug lord Griselda Blanco (Zeta-Jones), one the original “Cocaine Cowboys” who pioneered the drug trade between Colombia and the U.S. in the 70s and 80s.

Mendez will star as Dario, an associate of Pablo Escobar and Griselda’s third husband.

In addition to Mendez, the list of recent cast additions includes Jenny Pellicer (The Bridge) as Carolina, one of Griselda’s female lovers; Jose Julian (A Better Life)  as Uber, Griselda’s second-oldest son (she had 4 boys); Juan Pablo Espinosa (La Fan) as Alberto, one of Griselda’s criminal associates, and her second husband; and Warren Christie (The Catch) as Jimmy, the DEA agent who hunted her down.

Blanco was living in Queens, NY, when she became embroiled with local drug runners. After moving to Miami to expand her empire, the death of her second husband gave rise to her nickname The Black Widow. She later moved to California, was deported to Colombia and was gunned down in 2012. In her lifetime, Griselda’s drug distribution network spanned across the United States and she was suspected of ordering over 200 murders.

The film will go into production this year and premiere in 2018 on Lifetime.

Mendez’s credits include major recurring roles on Narcos and Sense8.

Cocaine Godmother is produced by Asylum Entertainment for Lifetime.

Navarro (Pan’s Labrynth, Narcos) will direct from a script written by David McKenna (American History X).

Araiza to Appear on FX’s X-Men-Universe Drama Series “Legion”

X(-Men) marks the spot for Ellie Araiza

The Mexican actress has landed a recurring role in FX’s X-Men-universe drama series Legion.

Ellie Araiza

From Fargo creator Noah Hawley, Marvel Television and FX ProductionsLegion introduces the story of David Haller (Dan Stevens), based on the Marvel comics character Legion, the son of X-Men founder Charles Xavier.

Araiza will play Philly. Perky and aloof, Philly doesn’t always follow the conversation, but she certainly tries.

Araiza is best known for her recurring character Celia Delgado on FX’s The Bridge. Her other credits include appearances on Stalker and Southland.

Uriza Lands Recurring Role on AMC’s Drama Series “The Son”

Manuel Uriza has landed a son (of a gun) role…

The Latino actor has landed a recurring role in AMC’s upcoming drama series The Son.

Manuel Uriza

Based on the book by Philipp Meyer and penned by Meyer, Lee Shipman and Brian McGreevy, The Son is a multi-generational epic tale of the story of America’s birth as a superpower through the bloody rise and fall of one Texas family.

Uriza will play Aniceto Pizana, a charming revolutionary in the mold of Che Guevera.

Uriza’s credits include a recurring role in AMC’s Better Call Saul, as well as stints on The Bridge and Castle.

Rios to Star in FX’s John Singleton Drug-Drama Pilot “Snowfall”

Winter is coming for Emily Rios

The 27-year-old Mexican American actress has signed on to star as series regular on FX’s Snowfall, John Singleton’s 1980s cocaine-epidemic drama pilot.

Emily Rios

Co-created and executive produced by the Boyz N The Hood director Singleton and Erick Amadio, and directed by El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, the pilot has been undergoing a revamp. 

Rios, who portrayed Andrea Cantillo on AMC’s Breaking Bad, will play Lucia, the self-possessed daughter of a Mexican crime family that imports and sells marijuana throughout Los Angeles.

Rios, who earned her big break in the film Quinceañera, also starred in FX’s The Bridge, as well as guest appearances on True Detective, Friday Night Lights and Men of a Certain Age.

Uriza to Star in FX’s Drama Pilot “Snowfall”

Manuel Uriza is preparing for a white Christmas…

The Latino actor has landed a series regular roles on FX’s drama pilot Snowfall.

Manuel Uriza

Co-created and co-written by the Boyz N The Hood director John Singleton and Eric Amadio and directed by Singleton, the series is set against the infancy of the crack cocaine epidemic in Los Angeles in the 1980s.

Uriza will portray Manuel Villanueva, a cocaine distributor who makes it clear that working for him means doing “bad things,” but he pays well.

Uriza has starred in numerous Spanish language projects including the telenovela Una Maid en Manhattan, which was based on Jennifer Lopez’s hit film Maid in Manhattan.

He most recently appeared on TNT’s Agent X and had a recurring role on FX’s The Bridge opposite Demian Bichir.

His other credits include Magic City and Burn Notice.

Del Puerto to Star in FX’s Drama Pilot “Snowfall”

Arturo Del Puerto is about to let it snow

The Latino actor has booked a series regular role opposite Billy Magnussen in FX’s drama pilot Snowfall.

Arturo Del Puerto

The series, co-created and co-written by Boyz N The Hood director John Singleton and Eric Amadio and directed by Singleton, is set against the infancy of the crack cocaine epidemic in Los Angeles in the 1980s.

Del Puerto will play Rico Santiago, Logan Miller’s (Magnussen) right-hand man as they venture into the L.A. cocaine trade.

Del Puerto recently recurred on Chicago P.D. and The Bridge. He’ll next be seen in Ride Along 2.

del Puerto to Star in ABC Family’s Comedy Pilot “Tough Cookie”

Arturo del Puerto is finding himself in a tough situation…

The Latino actor has landed a series regular role in ABC Family’s comedy pilot Tough Cookie.

Arturo del Puerto

From Awkward creator Lauren Iungerich and David Janollari., the project is centered around a young mother who isn’t ready to parent and her daughter who doesn’t want to be parented. It takes a village to raise a child or rather, a child to raise a village.

Del Puerto will portray Mickey, one of Lilla’s roommates, a neurotic hipster and something of a neat freak.

Del Puerto recently recurred on NBC’s Chicago P.D. Lifetime’s The Lottery, TNT’s Rizzoli & Isles and FX’s The Bridge.

He also starred in the film The Man Who Shook the Hand of Vicente Fernandez and The Devil’s in the Details.