Linda Yvette Chávez Signs Multi-Year Overall Deal with 20th Century Fox Television

Linda Yvette Chávez has a new deal…

The award-winning Latina screenwriter/producer and Gentefied co-creator has signed a multi-year overall deal with 20th Century Fox Television.

Linda Yvette ChávezChavez is expected to create her own dramas and comedies across all platforms, as well as supervise other writers’ projects.

“Just take one look at the creators Karey Burke, Carolyn Cassidy and how their teams are uplifting at 20th Television and you’ll quickly see a studio investing in a brighter future for representation in media,” Chávez said in a statement. “I’m thrilled that I get to be a part of this family and add this bold Xicana voice to 20th’s legendary canon of television. We’re about to make some bomb-ass shows together and showcase the gorgeous array of stories that exist in our BIPOC communities. With them as my champions I know there’s nothing we can’t achieve. Hollywood’s not ready!”

Chávez is co-creator, co-showrunner, director, and executive producer of Netflix’s Gentefied, a series that follows the lives of a multigenerational Mexican American family from East Los Angeles. Season 2 of the Peabody Award-nominated dramedy premiered on November 10. Both seasons are currently available to stream via Netflix.

“Linda is a tour de force writer with a spectacular voice and her series Gentefied is as hilarious as it is powerful, said Karey Burke, President, 20th Television. “She’s incredibly versatile and she shares our passion for fearless, inclusive storytelling—and on top of all that, she happens to be a fantastic person. Carolyn and I made it our mission to get her to this studio and we’re pinching ourselves she said yes.”

While producing Gentefied, Chávez adapted Erika L. Sanchez’s New York Times Best Selling novel, I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter into a feature film for Anonymous. She also penned Eva Longoria’s directorial debut Flamin’ Hot, a film by Content and MACRO, about the life of Richard Montanez, the creator of Hot Cheetos.

Up next for Chávez, she’ll make her directorial debut with her feature film Fieras.

Erica Hernandez to Star in CBS’ Drama Pilot “True Lies,” An Adaptation of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Action Comedy

Erica Hernandez is living a Lie(s)

The Latina actress has been cast as a series regular in CBS’ drama pilot True Lies, the television adaptation of James Cameron’s 1994 action comedy movie starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jamie Lee Curtis.

Erica Hernandez

Hernandez will star opposite Omar Miller, Mike O’Gorman, Steve Howey and Ginger Gonzaga in the series.

Written by Matt Nix and to be directed by Anthony Hemingway, the pilot’s plot is true to its movie roots: Shocked to discover that her bland and unremarkable computer consultant husband (Howey) is a skilled international spy, an unfulfilled suburban housewife (Gonzaga) is propelled into a life of danger and adventure when she’s recruited to work alongside him to save the world as they try to revitalize their passionless marriage.

Hernandez will portray Maria, another of the operatives working with Harry (Howey). Tough and capable, she is a cool-headed, first class spy. But she never misses a chance to get in a dig at Luther’s expense, reminding him of something that went down between them while on a mission in Berlin.

20th Century Fox Television is the studio.

Hernandez can currently be seen as a series correspondent on the Emmy-nominated CBS show Mission Unstoppable, and in a recurring role on Epix series Bridge and Tunnel.

Her other television and film credits include NBC’s The Brave and New Amsterdam, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and Brittany Runs a Marathon.

Eva Longoria Developing Carlos Hernandez’s Award-Winning Book “Sal & Gabi Break the Universe” for Television

Eva Longoria has landed an out of this world project…

The 46-year-old Mexican American actress, director, producer and activist and Ben Spector are set to develop Carlos Hernandez’s award-winning book Sal & Gabi Break the Universe as part of a deal between their UnbeliEVAble Entertainment and Disney Branded Television.Eva Longoria

Writer-producer Nelson Soler is also attached to the project.

The sci-fi story revolves around Sal Vidón, a teen who discovers he has the ability to reach into time and space to retrieve things from other universes as a result of his meddling with his father’s scientific experiments. He enlists the help of his friend Gabi to set off on a quest to find and bring back his deceased mother, only to learn that tampering in alternate universes could ultimately put their entire universe at risk.

Sal & Gabi Break the Universe

“It’s exciting to work with Eva and Ben on such an imaginative story full of heart and adventure that truly feels authentic in its storytelling and representation of characters,” said Ayo Davis, EVP, Creative Development and Strategy, Disney Branded Television. “Carlos Hernandez’s heartwarming and humorous book is the perfect addition to our slate of development and is in expert hands with Eva and Ben’s production team.”

UnbeliEVAble Entertainment has a separate and ongoing first-look deal at Disney’s 20th Century Fox Television which is separate from this deal with Disney Branded Television.

UnbeliEVAble is represented by WME, Brillstein Entertainment Partners, and Jackoway Austen Tyerman Wertheimer Mandelbaum Morris Bernstein Trattner & Klein.

 

Hulu Renews Selena Gomez’s “Only Murders in the Building” for Second Season

Selena Gomez hasn’t left the Building just yet…

Hulu has renewed Only Murders in the Building, starring the 29-year-old Mexican American actress/singer, Steve Martin and Martin Short, for a second season.

Hulu Renews Selena Gomez's "Only Murders in the Building" for Second Season

That means Gomez and the gang will continue their podcast-inspired crime-solving ways.

The news comes after Hulu said the show was the most-watched Hulu Original comedy on premiere day and its most-watched comedy across all SVOD titles ever on the platform.

Only Murders in the Building follows three strangers (Martin, Short and Gomez) who share an obsession with true crime and suddenly find themselves wrapped up in one as they investigate the mysterious death of a neighbor in their New York City apartment building.

Amy Ryan and Aaron Dominguez also star. Nathan Lane will recur, and Tina Fey also features.

Co-created and written by Martin and John Hoffman based on an idea by Martin, the series is produced by 20th Century Fox Television and executive-produced by Martin, Short, Gomez, Hoffman, Jamie BabbittThis Is Us creator Dan Fogelman and Jess Rosenthal.

Only Murders in the Building reflects the kind of creative excellence that is the hallmark of Hulu Originals,” said Craig Erwich, president, ABC Entertainment and Hulu Originals. “Steve, John and Dan have created a uniquely captivating and entertaining series. The audience’s response to the delightful blend of mystery, humor and emotion in the show has been overwhelming and we can’t wait to follow this unlikely trio on their next adventure.”

Added Karey Burke, president of 20th Television: “There has been something about this project that felt almost fated from the start; from Dan’s first lunch with Steve in which Steve happened to mention he had an idea for a series, to John jumping aboard to co-create it, to Steve’s agreeing to star but only if Marty joined him, to the inspired addition of Selena. The comedy this team delivered has been the obsession of every executive at this studio, and our friends at Hulu have treated it like the crown jewel that it is. And now, thanks to the incredible audience response, we are so happy to say there will be more murders in the building — which is great news for everyone, except perhaps the residents of the Arconia.”

Hulu Orders Drama Pilot for TV Adaptation of Xochitl Gonzalez’s “Olga Dies Dreaming”

Xochitl Gonzalez is die-dreaming…

Hulu has given an official pilot order to Olga Dies Dreaming, a one-hour drama based on the forthcoming novel by the Latina writer.

Xochitl Gonzalez

In anticipation of the official green light for the project from Gonzalez, Emmy-nominated and Sundance-winning filmmaker Alfonso Gomez-Rejon and 20th Century Television , the pilot has already has been casting.

Written by Gonzalez and to be directed by Gomez-Rejon, Olga Dies Dreaming is the story of a Nuyorican brother and sister from a gentrifying Sunset Park, Brooklyn, reckoning with the absent, politically radical mother and their glittering careers among New York City’s elite in the wake of Hurricane Maria.

Olga Dies Dreaming

Gomez-Rejon partnered with Gonzalez after reading her novel in manuscript form. Together, they developed the series from the ground up and will executive produce the pilot. 20th Television is the studio.

Gonzalez is an MFA candidate in fiction at the University of Iowa Writers’ Workshop, where she is an Iowa Arts Fellow and the recipient of the Michener Copernicus Award for Fiction. She was the winner of the 2019 Disquiet Literary Prize and her work has been published by Vogue, The Cut, Ninth Letter and Joyland magazine. Her debut novel, Olga Dies Dreaming was sold to Flatiron Books after a 10-way auction and will publish in January.

Prior to beginning her MFA, Gonzalez was an entrepreneur and strategic consultant for nearly 15 years.

Gomez-Rejon directed the award-winning Sundance film Me and Earl and the Dying Girl and The Current War: Director’s Cut among others. He most recently served as executive producer and director on Hunters

Carlos Gomez to Appear on David E. Kelley’s ABC Drama Series “Big Sky”

The sky’s the limit for Carlos Gomez.

The 59-year-old Latino actor has landed a recurring role on David E. Kelley’s hit freshman ABC drama series Big Sky.

Carlos Gomez

Gomez, who most recently appeared in ABC’s The Baker and the Beauty joins a roster of recurring actors that includes Anja Savcic and Zoë Noelle Baker.

The crime thriller was created by Big Little Lies’ Kelly based on C.J. Box’s book.

Big Sky follows private detective Cassie Dewell, played by Kylie Bunbury, and ex-cop Jenny Hoyt, played by Katheryn Winnick, who join forces to search for two sisters who have been kidnapped by a truck driver on a remote highway in Montana. But when they discover that these are not the only girls who have disappeared in the area, they must race against the clock to stop the killer before another woman is taken.

Gomez will play Gil Amaya, former ranch manager forever entangled with the Kleinsasser family, including their darkest secrets.

The sries is produced by 20th Century Fox Television in association with A+E Studios.

Gomez most recently starred as Rafael Garcia on ABC’s The Baker and the Beauty. He also portrayed Jose Menendez on Law & Order True Crime: The Menendez Murders, recurred as Agent Jose Campos in CBSMadam Secretary, and he previously starred for four seasons on A&E Network’s The Glades.

His film work includes Spiked with Aiden Quinn and Ride Along 2 opposite Kevin Hart.

Michelle Veintimilla to Appear on ABC’s David E. Kelley Drama Series “Big Sky”

The (big) sky’s the limit for Michelle Veintimilla.

The 28-year-old Latina actress has landed a recurring role on David E. Kelley’s hit freshman ABC drama series Big Sky.

Michelle Veintimilla

Veintimilla’s character will be introduced in the back half of Season 1.

The crime thriller series, created by Kelley based on C.J Box’s book, follows private detective Cassie Dewell, played by Kylie Bunbury, and ex-cop Jenny Hoyt, played by Katheryn Winnick, who join forces to search for two sisters who have been kidnapped by a truck driver on a remote highway in Montana. But when they discover that these are not the only girls who have disappeared in the area, they must race against the clock to stop the killer before another woman is taken.

Veintimilla will play Rosie Amaya, the tough as nails daughter of Gil Amaya, the Kleinsasser family’s ranch manager. Rosie grew up close to Blake Kleinsasser, who taught her the ropes of cattle-ranching. Rosie will play a pivotal role in Dewell and Hoyt’s investigation into Lochsa county and unraveling its darkest secrets.

Produced by 20th Century Fox Television in association with A+E Studios, the series also stars Brian Geraghty as Ronald Pergman, Dedee Pfeiffer as Denise Brisbane, Natalie Alyn Lind as Danielle Sullivan, Jade Pettyjohn as Grace Sullivan, Jesse James Keitel as Jerrie and Valerie Mahaffey as Helen Pergman.

Veintimilla most recently starred as Vanessa Sanchez on ABC’s The Baker and the Beauty, and next stars opposite Corey Stoll in Stephen Belber’s upcoming film, What We Do Next. She played the daughter of Salma Hayek and Alec Baldwin in the comedy Drunk Parents, starred in Netflix’s limited series Seven Seconds and had recurring roles in Neil LaBute’s series The I-Land and as the super villain Firefly on Fox’s Gothamamong other credits.

David Del Rio to Star in ABC’s Comedy Pilot “Maggie”

David Del Rio has landed his next role…

The 33-year-old Latino actor has been cast as a series regular opposite Rebecca Rittenhouse in the ABC comedy pilot Maggie, based on Tim Curcio’s short film.

David Del Rio

Del Rio will star joins a roster of cast newcomers that includes Chris Elliott, Ray Ford and Leonardo Nam. 

The project hails from Family Guy and Life in Pieces writer Maggie Mull, daughter of Clue actor Martin Mull, and Life in Pieces creator Justin Adler. 20th Century Fox Television produces.

Written by Mull and Adler, the single-camera comedy follows a young woman (Rittenhouse) who tries to cope with life while coming to terms with her abilities as a psychic. She can see everyone’s future, but her present is a mess.

Del Rio will play Ben. A gregarious guy, Ben has a heightened energy and is enlivened by new experiences and people. In this way, he’s Maggie’s opposite, but like Maggie, he has a romantic side that he tries to hide behind a sometimes overly confident veneer.

Del Rio most recently starred on ABC’s short-lived Latin-themed series The Baker and the Beauty.

On the film side, he can also be seen in James Gunn’s The Belko Experiment. His credits also include a supporting role in Universal’s Pitch Perfect, the indie Dead Drop opposite Cole Hauser, and Nickelodeon’s The Troop, on which he starred for three seasons.

Guillermo Diaz to Star in ABC’s Drama Pilot “National Parks”

Guillermo Diaz is heading to the park(s)…

The 45-year-old Cuban-American actor has landed a series regular role on ABC’s National Parks, the network’s drama pilot co-written and executive produced by Kevin Costner. The project hails from Costner’s Territory Pictures Entertainment, 20th Century Fox Television and A+E Studios.

Guillermo Diaz

Diaz joins previously announced series regulars Billy Campbell, Angel Parker, Gerardo Celasco, Ashleigh Sharpe Chestnut, Blu Hunt and Tiffany Dupont.

Co-written by Costner, Aaron Helbing and Jon Baird and to be directed by Anthony HemingwayNational Parks follows a small group of elite national parks service agents as they solve crimes while protecting the parks — which, while being known for their sweeping, beautiful landscapes, also attract a vast array of criminal activity.

Diaz will play Vic, a Special Agent and ISB’s unflappable helicopter pilot and botanist who uses these unique skills to investigate and solve crime inside the national parks.

Diaz starred for seven seasons as Huck on ABC’s hit series Scandal and also starred on the ABC comedy United We Fall. He also guest-starred or recurred on I Know This Much Is True, Law & Order: SVU, High Maintenance and Broad Cityamong others.

Gerardo Celasco to Star in ABC’s Drama Pilot “National Parks”

Gerardo Celasco is putting his career in Park(s)…

The 38-year-old Salvadoran-American actor has landed a lead role opposite Billy Campbell and Angel Parker in National Parks, ABC’s drama pilot co-written and executive produced by Yellowstone star Kevin Costner.

Gerardo Celasco

The project hails from Costner’s Territory Pictures Entertainment, 20th Century Fox Television and A+E Studios.

 

Co-written by Costner, Aaron Helbing and Jon Baird and to be directed by Anthony HemingwayNational Parks follows a small group of elite national parks service agents as they solve crimes while protecting the parks — which, while being known for their sweeping, beautiful landscapes, also attract a vast array of criminal activity.

Celasco will play Lincoln Kane, a fearless ISB Special Agent who is haunted by his past and carries the world on his shoulders. Lincoln’s commitment is never in question as he finds his own way to go above and beyond the call.

Celasco most recently wrapped production on the Swimming with Sharks drama series reboot, starring opposite Diane Kruger and Kiernan Shipka. He co-starred in the Fox sci-fi series Next and recurred as Xavier Castillo on Shonda RhimesABC drama How To Get Away With Murder.

Celasco’s feature credits include Moneyball opposite Jonah Hill and Pete Berg’s Battleship