Netflix Gives Series Order to “The Madness,” Starring Colman Domingo

Colman Domingo is embracing the madness

Netflix has given a series order to The Madness, a conspiracy thriller starring the 53-year-old Belizean-Guatemalan American Emmy-winning actor.

Colman DomingoThe eight-episode limited series hails from Chernin Entertainment via its first-look deal with Netflix, creator and co-showrunner Stephen Belber and co-showrunner VJ Boyd.

In The Madness, media pundit Muncie Daniels (Domingo) must fight for his innocence and his life after he stumbles upon a murder deep in the Poconos woods. As the walls close in, Muncie strives to reconnect with his estranged family – and his lost ideals – in order to survive.

Belber and Boyd executive produce with Peter Chernin, Jenno Topping and Kaitlin Dahill for Chernin Entertainment (The North Road Company). Clément Virgo will direct and executive produce the first two and final two episodes. Quyen Tran and Jessica Lowrey will each direct two middle episodes.

“Stephen Belber and VJ Boyd thrive in creating suspense driven emotional stories that connect with broad audiences,” said Topping, President, Chernin Entertainment. “We look forward to seeing them bring this timely conspiracy thriller to life and to continue our partnership with Netflix.”

The Madness is a fresh take on the conspiracy thriller — turning the genre on its head with its multi-layered characters, propulsive action and swift pace,” said Peter Friedlander, Vice President of Scripted Series, Netflix, US and Canada. “We are proud to have such a powerhouse team assembled to bring this dynamic story to life for Netflix viewers around the world, and to continue producing great entertainment with team Chernin.”

Domingo’s critically acclaimed film work includes If Beale Street Could Talk, Selma, Lincoln, Candyman, Without Remorse, Zola, and he was a Film Independent Spirit, NAACP, SAG and Critics Choice Award nominee for his performance in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.

He’ll next be in seen in the title role in Netflix biopic Rustin, the first film production from Michelle and Barack Obama’s Higher Ground.

Domingo won his first Emmy award, as well as an Imagen Award, for best supporting actor for HBO’s Euphoria. Domingo can currently be seen as Victor Strand in Fear The Walking Dead. 

Anthony Lee Medina to Star in Season 2 of Apple TV+’s Drama Series “Truth Be Told”

Anthony Lee Medina will be sharing his Truth with the world…

The Latino actor has joined the ensemble cast for season 2 of the Apple TV drama series Truth Be Told.

Anthony Lee Medina,

Medina joins a roster of new cast additions that includes Merle Dandridge, Jason O’Mara, Alona TalDavid Lyons, Christopher Backus, Cranston Johnson, Hale Appleman and Mychala Lee (The Inheritance, Relish) will star alongside Kate Hudson and Octavia Spencer in the second season of the NAACP Image Award-winning series.

Created by Nichelle Tramble Spellman and produced by Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine, Chernin Entertainment and Endeavor ContentTruth Be Told is a quasi-anthology series in the vein of USA drama The Sinner and NBC comedy Trial & Error where there is a central protagonist(s) that carries over as each season focuses on a new story with new characters.

Season 2, provides a glimpse into America’s obsession with true crime podcasts.

Medina will portray Ramon, a personal assistant.

Medina’s previous credits include Hamilton and The First Purge.

Tami Roman Lands Recurring Role on Apple’s Thriller Drama Series “Are You Sleeping”

Tami Roman has some extra sleep in her future…

The 48-year-old half-Puerto Rican actress has landed a recurring role opposite Octavia Spencer and Lizzy Caplan in Apple’s thriller drama series Are You Sleeping.

Tami Roman

In addition to Roman, other new additions to the cast include Nic Bishop, Annabella Sciorraand Molly Hagan.

From Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine and the scripted drama venture of Peter Chernin’s Chernin Entertainment and Endeavor Content, Are You Sleeping was created and written by Nichelle Tramble Spellman.

It’s based on the true-crime novel by Kathleen Barber, and provides a unique glimpse into America’s obsession with true-crime podcasts and challenges its viewers to consider the consequences when the pursuit of justice is placed on a public stage.

Spencer stars as Poppy Parnell, a relentless investigative reporter who looks to uncover the truth behind a decades-old questionable murder verdict through her new podcast. Caplan plays twin sisters Josie and Lanie, whose father’s murder decades ago is examined on the podcast.

Roman, who first gained fame on The Real World: Los Angeles, portrays Lillian Scoville, Poppy’s saucy stepmother.

Aaron Paul, Elizabeth Perkins, Mekhi Phifer, Michael Beach, Tracie Thoms, Haneefah Wood and Ron Cephas Jones co-star in Are You Sleeping. The premiere episode will be directed by Anna Foerster.

Roman’s credits include Basketball Wives, Bonnet Chronicles and Extant.

Chavarria to Star in 20th Century Fox’s “War of the Planet of the Apes”

Gabriel Chavarria has plenty of reason to go bananas…

The Honduran American actor, who recently signed with Paradigm Talent Agency, is finalizing a deal to be one of two human leads in 20th Century Fox’s War of the Planet of the Apes, the latest installment of the franchise.

 Gabriel Chavarria

Matt Reeves returns to direct, shooting expected to begin in October in Vancouver, Canada.

The film’s sequel, Dawn of the Planet of the Apesgrossed $708 million worldwide last year with Reeves at the helm, nearly double the business of the franchise reboot — a major score for Fox and producer Chernin Entertainment.

Chavarria, the young star of Universal Pictures’ upcoming film Low Riders, is the male lead on Hulu’s drama series East Los High.

In Low Riders, from Imagine Entertainment and Blumhouse Productions, he plays an East LA teen immersed in the world of lowrider cars and street tagging while caught between his traditional father (Demian Bichir) and his estranged gangbanger brother, who both are competing in the annual lowrider “Supershow.”

His other recent credits include Aquarius, Prime Suspect, Southland and the feature Teacher of The Year.

Aguirre-Sacasa to Adapt Marisha Pessi’s “Night Film” for the Big Screen

Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa is ready to take on the night (film)

The 40-year-old Nicaraguan American playwright, screenwriter and comic book writer has been picked to adapt Marisha Pessl’s noir novel Night Film for Chernin Entertainment and director Rupert Wyatt.

Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa

Aguirre-Sacasa, one of the people who rescued the troubled Broadway musical Spider-Man Turn Off The Dark, has been working in every medium in recent years.

His work ranges from writing for Fox’s Glee to scripting the remake of Carrie and The Town That Dreaded Sundown, as well as a screen version of Archie for Warner Bros. and writing the book for the Broadway musical adaptation of the Channing Tatum film Magic Mike.

In Night Film, a journalist investigates the suspected suicide of a young beauty, and discovers she is the daughter of a reclusive horror film helmer and that the girl was murdered and someone is bent on revenge.

Chernin bought the book in April and attached Wyatt, who directed Rise of the Planet of the Apes for the company.

Mason Lands Role in Fox’s “Delirium” Drama Pilot

Following her recurring role on ABC Family’s Bunheads, Jeanine Mason has landed her next television project.

The 22-year-old Cuban American actress/dance, the season five winner of Fox’s So You Think You Can Dance, has landed a role in Fox’s drama pilot Delirium.

Jeanine Mason

Based on Lauren Oliver’s book trilogy, the project is set in a world where love is deemed illegal and can be eradicated with a special procedure. With 95 days to go until her scheduled treatment, Lena Holoway (Emma Roberts) falls in love.

Mason will portray Lena’s best friend Hana, a girl also faces undergoing the procedure. She’s described as “a flirty girl who lives next door to Julian Fineman (Gregg Sulkin) and enjoys messing with his head.” She’s ultimately less rebellious than she looks.

Billy Campbell, Corey Reynolds and Daren Kagasoff co star in the pilot for 20th Century Fox Television and Chernin Entertainment, which was written and will be executive produced by Karyn Usher.

Mason’s other television credits include guest-starring roles in Big Time Rush and The Fresh Beat Band.

Naranjo to Direct “A Man Must Die”

Gerardo Naranjo’s stock in Hollywood continues to rise…

The 40-year-old Mexican filmmaker has just inked a deal with Focus Features to direct A Man Must Die.

Gerardo Naranjo

Naranjo—who helmed Miss Bala, Mexico’s Best Foreign Language Film Oscar submission—wrote the script for the project. The film is described as a political thriller comparable to the critically acclaimed Carlos.

The news comes as 20th Century Fox and Chernin Entertainment continue to develop the film adaptation of Charles Martin’s novel The Mountain Between Us for Naranjo to direct, with Michael Fassbender attached to star.

Naranjo May Soon Direct His First Big Studio Film…

He’s gained critical acclaim for helming Mexico’s Best Foreign Language Film Oscar submission, Miss Bala… And, now Gerardo Naranjo could be directing his first big studio film.

Gerardo Naranjo

The Mexican filmmaker is currently in negotiations with 20th Century Fox and Chernin Entertainment to helm The Mountain Between Us—an adaptation of the Charles Martin novel, a harrowing tale of survival and love.

The Mountain Between Us

It centers on Ashley, a writer catching a flight from Salt Lake City for her wedding on the East Coast. Meanwhile, Ben is a doctor returning from a medical conference. When their flight cancelled due to a broken de-icer, the strangers agree to charter a ride, only to see the pilot suffer a heart attack and crash into a desolate snowy mountain region. Fortunately, Ben is an avid climber who works to get her down the mountain. As the injured pair struggle to get down from the mountain in harsh weather conditions, Ashley begins to realize that maybe she was preparing to marry the wrong guy.

Naranjo is coming off the success of Miss Bala, an intense and riveting thriller about an innocent beauty queen who gets caught up in the Mexican drug wars.