Cristo Fernandez & “Ted Lasso” Cast to Discuss Mental Health at White House

Posted on March 19, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Cristo Fernandez is heading to Washington, D.C.

The 32-year-old Mexican actor and former professional footballer and his Ted Lasso cast mates will visit the White House on Monday to participate in a discussion with President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden on “the importance of mental health to promote overall wellbeing.

Apple announced the meeting Sunday afternoon.

President Biden teased the appearance minutes before Apple’s confirmation, posting a reference to the Apple TV+ hit comedy: “Tomorrow.”

“Ted Lasso has inspired the world through its universal themes around optimism, kindness, and determination and the Lasso philosophy to ‘believe,’” reads Apple’s announcement of the meeting of the minds.

Excerpts from the event will be released on the White House’s official social media channels.

The third season of Ted Lasso debuted on Apple TV+ on March 15, kicking off its 12-episode season. There remains uncertainty whether a fourth season of the show will be approved by showrunner and star Jason Sudeikis, who has stated that such a matter “will always be dictated by the stories.”

Sudeikis developed Ted Lasso along with Bill Lawrence, Joe Kelly and Brendan Hunt. It’s based on the existing format and characters first featured on NBC Sports.

Sudeikis serves as an executive producer in addition to starring. Lawrence executive produces via Doozer Productions. Hunt, Kelly and Bill Wrubel also executive produce along with Doozer’s Jeff Ingold and Liza Katzer as well as Jane Becker and Jamie Lee. Goldstein is a writer and co-executive producer on the series.

It’s produced by Warner Bros. Television and Universal Television.

Fernandez portrays the lovable Dani Rojas on the series.

Wagner Moura to Star in Apple TV+’s Crime Drama Series “Sinking Spring”

Posted on February 24, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Wagner Moura is springing forward with a new television project…

The 46-year-old Brazilian actor and Narcos star will star opposite Brian Tyree Henry in Apple TV+’s crime drama series Sinking Spring, from Top Gun: Maverick writer Peter Craig, in a recasting.

Better Call Saul alum Michael Mando was originally tapped for the role but has been let go after an on-set physical altercation with another cast member.

The recasting is being done during filming on the series, directed and executive produced by Ridley Scott via his Scott Free Productions.

Based on Dennis Tafoya’s book Dope Thief, Sinking Spring follows long-time Philly friends and delinquents who pose as DEA agents to rob an unknown house in the countryside, only to have their small-time grift become a life-and-death enterprise, as they unwittingly reveal and unravel the biggest hidden narcotics corridor on the Eastern seaboard.

Moura will play Manny Cespedes, a good-hearted friend of Ray’s (Henry), who he first met when they did time together in the Youth Authority.

Craig created the eight-episode series, executive produces and directs one episode. Scott executive produces for Scott Free Productions.

The series hails from Apple Studios and will be produced by Scott Free Productions.

Moura recently starred opposite Elisabeth Moss in the Apple TV+ series Shining Girls.

Apple TV+ Renews Enrique Arrizon’s “Acapulco” for Third Season

Posted on January 30, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Enrique Arrizon isn’t leaving Acapulco just yet…

Apple TV+ has renewed the bilingual comedy series Acapulco, starring the 29-year-old Mexican actor, for a 10-episode third season. Production is set to begin this spring.

In Season 3 of the series inspired by the 3Pas Studios and Pantelion Films’ feature How to Be A Latin Lover, it’s a time of reconciling past mistakes and exciting new beginnings. In the present story, older Maximo (Eugenio Derbez) finds himself returning to a Las Colinas he no longer recognizes. While in 1985, younger Maximo continues his climb up the ladder of success while potentially jeopardizing all the relationships he’s worked so hard to build…

“We at 3Pas Studios are thankful to Apple TV+, the perfect home for Acapulco, along with our production partner Lionsgate, filmmakers, and cast and crew,” said star and executive producer Derbez. “We have always believed that the stories we tell about our communities and cultures can resonate with global audiences, so crank up the AC, it’s about to get a lot hotter at Las Colinas Resort.”

The upcoming third season will be showrun by Sam Laybourne. In addition to Derbe and Arrizon, the returning Acapulco ensemble cast includes Fernando Carsa, Damián Alcázar, Camila Perez, Chord Overstreet, Vanessa Bauche, Regina Reynoso, Raphael Alejandro, Jessica Collins, Rafael Cebrián, Carlos Corona and Regina Orozco.

Seasons 1 and 2 are now streaming globally on Apple TV+.

“We’ve seen an overwhelming response from audiences all over the world who have fallen in love with Acapulco,” said Morgan Wandell, head of international programming for Apple TV+. “Eugenio, Austin, Ben, Eric, Kim, and the talented cast and crew behind ‘Acapulco’ have created a feel-good show that has a lot of heart, emotion, and laughs, and we can’t wait to bring even more of that into season three.”

Acapulco is created by Austin Winsberg, Eduardo Cisneros and Jason Shuman. Winsberg also serves as executive producer alongside Derbez, Ben Odell, and co-executive producer Sonia Almanza Gambaro for 3Pas Studios; director Jay Karas; Eric and Kim Tannenbaum along with Jason Wang for The Tannenbaum Company.

The project is produced for Apple by Lionsgate Television, 3Pas Studios, Zihuatanejo Productions, and The Tannenbaum Company.

Gloria Calderón Kellett Appointed to Television Academy’s Executive Committee

Posted on January 22, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Gloria Calderón Kellett is reporting for committee duty…

The 47-year-old Cuban American award-winning television writer/creator has been appointed to the Television Academy’s Executive Committee for 2023 by chairman and CEO Frank Scherma.

Calderon Kellet is among six new committee members that includes Casey Bloys, Chairman and CEO, HBO/HBO Max Content; George Cheeks, President and CEO, CBS, and Chief Content Officer, News and Sports, Paramount+; Pearlena Igbokwe, Chairman, Universal Studio Group; Lisa Nishimura, Vice President, Independent and Documentary Films at Netflix; and Zack Van Amburg, Chief Content Officer and Head of Worldwide Video for Apple TV+.

They will advise on the organization’s diverse initiatives and help lead the Academy throughout the upcoming year.

“I’m thrilled to welcome these accomplished executives back to serve on our Executive Committee,” said Scherma in a statement. “They will continue to bring their extensive experience and insight to our dynamic organization.”

Additionally, the Academy’s Board of Governors has elected the following Peer Group Governors as their representatives on the executive committee for the 2023 term: Eddie Bonin (special visual effects), Debra Curtis (television executives), Jill Dickerson (reality programming) and Troy Underwood (children’s programming). Cris Abrego, chair of the Television Academy Foundation, will also serve on the committee.

Calderón Kellett’s recent credits include the One Day at a Time reboot and Amazon Studios’ With Love.

Sierra Teller Ornelas Developing Comedy Series “Amigos” for NBC with Marcos Luevanos

Posted on December 11, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Sierra Teller Ornelas is in the friend(s) zone…

The part-Mexican American showrunner, screenwriter and filmmaker and Marcos Luevanos are developing the half-hour comedy Amigos for NBC.

Teller Ornelas and Luevanos will draw inspiration from their own lifelong friendship for the Universal Television-produced project.

Amigos is about a group of six Latine friends living in Los Angeles who lean and rag on each other as they find love, grow up and figure out what success means in 2022.

Ornelas and Luevanos will write and executive produce alongside Morgan Sackett.

Most recently, Ornelas was showrunner of the Peacock comedy series Rutherford Falls, which she co-created with Mike Schur and Ed Helms.

Previously, she was a co-executive producer on Loot for Apple TV+ and NBC’s Superstore where she worked for three seasons. She has previously written for Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Splitting Up Together, and Happy Endings.

Luevanos is currently a co-executive producer on the new NBC multicam Lopez vs. Lopez starring George Lopez and his daughter Mayan Lopez.

Previously, Luevanos spent three seasons on the Hulu/Disney+ series Love, Victor produced by Aptaker & Berger and worked on Gloria Calderon Kellett’s With Love, Rutherford Falls, Charmed, and Life In Pieces.

He also currently has a project in the works at 20th Television with Steven Canals executive producing.

Selena Gomez Releases Film Version of Her Documentary’s Title Track “My Mind & Me”

Posted on December 1, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Selena Gomez is offering a look inside her mind…

The 30-year-old Mexican American singer, actress and film producer has shared a film version of her documentary’s accompanying title track My Mind & Me, which features several intimate scenes from the film.

The video kicks off with Gomez sitting down at a grand piano, softly playing the keys to the song. Snaps of her recording the track, in addition to snippets of her traveling, performing live in concert and interacting with friends, fans and family, go in quick succession until the video’s end.

“My mind and me/ We don’t get along sometimes/ And it gets hard to breathe/ But I wouldn’t change my life/ And all of the crashin’ and burnin’ and breakin’, I know now/ If somebody sees me like this, then they won’t feel alone now/ My mind and me,” Gomez sings on the chorus of the introspective track.

During the red-carpet premiere of the documentary, Gomez revealed that she initially hesitated to release the project on more than one occasion.

“I was going to release this documentary multiple times and it never really felt right,” the star said. “Then the pandemic hit and a lot of people started having conversations around mental health, the isolation, people feeling depressed or anxious — never feeling those feelings before but have now. I just hope that this will carry on to something like a conversation that people will use to help later on.”

The Apple TV+ documentary My Mind & Me is currently available on the streamer.

Selena Gomez Releases Emotional New Single “My Mind & Me”

Posted on November 3, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Selena Gomez is getting personal…

The 30-year-old Mexican American singer/actress has released “My Mind & Me,” one of her most vulnerable songs ever.

The single dropped ahead of the release of Gomez’s Apple TV+ documentary My Mind & Me.

Gomez unveiled the emotional new song and lyric video of the same name — before teasing that more new music will soon follow.

Gomez’s first solo release since 2021’s Spanish album Revelación, “My Mind & Me” hit streaming services at 8:00 am ET one day prior to the documentary’s Friday premiere on Apple TV.

“My mind and me, we don’t get along sometimes / And it gets hard to breathe,” she sings on the track, a sprawling piano ballad written by the Only Murders in the Building star, Amy Allen, Jonathan Bellion, Michal Pollack, Stefan Johnson and Jordan K. Johnson.

“But I wouldn’t change my life / And all of the crashing and burning and breaking, I know now / If somеbody sees me like this, then thеy won’t feel alone now.”

Directed by Alek Keshishian, Gomez’s raw My Mind & Me film follows the singer-actress over the course of six years as she deals with lupus, depression, anxiety and other mental health struggles. O

ne particularly devastating time in her life was marked by an episode of psychosis in 2018, something she opened up about in a Thursday (Nov. 3) cover story interview with Rolling Stone.

The Grammy nominee told the publication that she heard voices and experienced severe long-term paranoia during the episode and was eventually diagnosed as bipolar. “It took a lot of hard work for me to (a) accept that I was bipolar, but (b) learn how to deal with it because it wasn’t going to go away,” she said.

Gomez also shared in the interview that she’s written 24 songs or so for her next album, something she also talked about at her documentary’s Wednesday (Nov. 2) premiere at the AFI Festival. Speaking to Variety, the former Disney star shared that new music is coming “hopefully next year,” potentially followed by a tour.

“Maybe!” she said about possibly hitting the road. “I know. I should, right?”

Eugenio Derbez’s 3Pas Studios Signs Multi-Year First-Look Deal with ABC Signature for English TV Content

Posted on October 29, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Eugenio Derbez is hoping to develop new television projects in English…

The 61-year-old Mexican actor and comedian’s 3Pas Studios, which he runs will Ben Odell, has signed a multi-year first-look deal with ABC Signature for English-language television content.

As part of the deal, 3Pas will develop and produce English-language projects for the studio.

Reporting to Derbez and Odell, Sonia Gambaro, the vice president of 3Pas’ English-language television division, will oversee development, identify and source talent, ideas, and IP for ABC Signature across all platforms.

“Eugenio and Ben transcend culture through their diverse and inclusive storytelling, driven by their deep connection to talent and source material from Latin America,” said Jonnie Davis, president of ABC Signature. “We couldn’t be more excited to shepherd their next wave of brilliant and culture-defining English language projects at the studio.”

3Pas has been creating content in both English and Spanish with multiple studio and platform partners over the last several years.

Most recently, the company’s series Acapulco premiered its second season on Apple TV+. It stemmed from the television deal 3Pas previously had at Lionsgate.

On the film front, Hulu recently released 3Pas’ film The Valet following the success of other Derbez-led projects including Overboard and How To Be A Latin Lover.

Derbez’s workplace comedy series titled They Came At Night is in development at Vix+, a project that stems from 3Pas’ deal with TelevisaUnivision for Spanish-language film and TV projects.

Additionally, they recently premiered their first Vix+ series, La Noche Del Diablito which premiered on October 13.

3Pas also recently re-upped its first-look film deal with Lionsgate.

“For actors, writers, directors, and creators like myself, Disney has long been a leader in inclusive and diverse storytelling. We are so grateful for this incredible opportunity to lift up new, diverse voices with ABC Signature,” said Derbez.

Added Odell, “At the heart of our stories we bring people together and celebrate our common humanity. We have a treasure trove of incredibly diverse stories, talent, and creators across the United States and Latin America. We can’t wait to start the party with ABC Signature and their fantastic team.”

Eiza González to Star in the World War II Action Spy Film “The Ministry Of Ungentlemanly Warfare”

Posted on October 29, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

The spy’s the limit for Eiza González…

The 32-year-old Mexican actress and singer will star in the World War II action spy film The Ministry Of Ungentlemanly Warfare.

Gonzalez will star opposite Henry Cavill in the film from Guy Ritchie and Jerry Bruckheimer.

Ritchie will direct the project as his next film, with filming expected to begin in Turkey in January.

The film, inspired by real events, will chart United Kingdom Prime Minister Winston Churchill’s and James Bond scribe Ian Fleming’s secret WWII combat organization. The clandestine squad’s unconventional and entirely ‘ungentlemanly’ fighting techniques against the Nazis helped change the course of the war and in part gave birth to the modern Black Ops unit.

The project was initially in development at Paramount through Bruckheimer’s first look deal, but the studio will not be distributing the film. Black Bear is reportedly in active discussions regarding U.S. distribution and international deals.

The script, by Ritchie and Arash Amel, is based on war correspondent and military historian Damien Lewis’ popular book of the same name.

González, who most recently seen in Michael Bay’s Ambulance, will play a military sniper with extraordinary spy-craft abilities.

She will next be see in Netflix’s sci-fi film The Three Body Problem and Scott Z Burns’ Extrapolations for Apple TV+.

Santiago Cabrera to Star Opposite Eva Longoria in Apple TV+’s Upcoming Series “Land of Women”

Posted on October 25, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Santiago Cabrera is headed to a land of women…

The 44-year-old Chilean-British actor will star opposite Eva Longoria in Apple TV+’s upcoming series Land of Women.

Cabrera, who has been cast as a series regular, is part of a list of cast newcomers that includes Amaury Nolasco as a recurring guest and Gloria Muñoz and newcomer Victoria Bazua as series regulars.

Production is currently underway in Spain.

Nolasco will play Kevin, the trainee hitman after Gala (Longoria) and her family. Excessively worried about his physique and his number of followers on social media, he holds just enough malice for the job.

Cabrera will play Amat, who has lived in La Muga for only a couple of years. While he likes to keep to himself, he has a heart of gold and has quickly earned the affection of the townsfolk… and perhaps even Gala’s. He spends most of his time among the vines and in the little winery that he shares with the village co-op.

Muñoz will play Mariona, Julia’s (Carmen Maura) estranged sister. Though childhood best friends, Mariona never understood why Julia left town and never forgave her for not even writing a word. Mariona is full of hurt and resentment until Julia walks back into her life like a wake-up call.

Bazua will play Kate, Gala’s teenage daughter enjoying her freedom at boarding school far from her overbearing mom. That is until she is bamboozled into joining a “girls’ trip” only to discover her family is now on the run. Sardonic and bold, she has inherited her grandmother’s rather dark sense of humor. Though sometimes this is just a facade to hide her insecurities.

Land of Women, a new dramedy inspired by Sandra Barneda’s best-selling novel of the same name, tells the story of Gala, a New York empty nester forced to flee her home after her husband implicates the family in financial improprieties. Joining her on the journey are her aging mother Julia (Maura) and her teen daughter.

The three women escape the criminals her now-vanished husband is indebted to by moving to the same charming wine town in Northern Spain that Gala’s mother fled 50 years ago, vowing never to return. Starting over with new identities proves complicated while living in a small town where secrets tend to unravel quite easily.

Land of Women is written and created by Ramón Campos and Gema R. Neira.

Longoria serves as executive producer via her UnbeliEVAble Entertainment banner alongside showrunner Campos; Teresa Fernández-Valdés, and Ben Spector.

Carlos Sedes will direct the series, which will be shot in both English and Spanish. Bambu Studios produces.

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