Elvis Nolasco to Appear on HBO‘s Untitled Brad Ingelsby Task Force Project

Posted on March 12, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Elvis Nolasco last landed his next role…

The Dominican American actor will appear on HBO‘s Untitled Brad Ingelsby Task Force Project.

Nolasco, who starred in Godfather of Harlem, is among a roster of new recurring actors for the series that includes Raphael Sbarge, Mickey Sumner, Brian Goodman and Colin Bates.

Nolasco plays Freddy Frias, the savvy and ruthless captain of Philadelphia’s largest drug trafficking organization.

Others previously cast include Tom Pelphrey as Robbie; Emilia Jones as Maeve; Thuso Mbedu as Aleah; Raúl Castillo as Cliff; Jamie McShane as Perry; Sam Keeley as Jayson; Fabien Frankel as Anthony; Alison Oliver as Lizzie; Owen Teague as Peaches; Dominic Colón as Deric “Breaker,” and Levieva as Eryn.

A crime drama based on an original idea from Ingelsby, creator of hit HBO miniseries Mare of Easttown, the show is set in the working class suburbs outside of Philadelphia, where Ruffalo’s Tom heads a Task Force to put an end to a string of drug-house robberies led by an unsuspecting family man.

Ingelsby is writing the show and executive producing alongside Jeremiah Zagar and Salli Richardson-Whitfield (who also direct), R

Currently starring on MGM+’s Godfather of Harlem, Nolasco has also starred on ABC’s American Crime, recurring on All American, David Makes Man, She’s Gotta Have It, Claws and more.

In addition to Sundance drama Roxanne Roxanne, he’s been seen in such Spike Lee films as Da Sweet Blood of Jesus, Oldboy and Clockers.

Liza Colón-Zayas Signs with Liebman Entertainment for Management

Posted on November 1, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Liza Colón-Zayas has new management…

The 51-year-old Puerto Rican actress has signed with Liebman Entertainment for management.

Colón-Zayas can currently be seen as Tina in FX’s critically acclaimed comedy series, The Bear. The show received a 2023 SAG Award nomination for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series and won a Television Critics Award for Outstanding New Program. The Bear has also received 13 Emmy nominations, including Outstanding Comedy Series.

Colón-Zayas’ additional television credits include HBO’s In Treatment, opposite Uzo Aduba, the Latino comedy series Get Some!, along with Law & Order, David Makes Man, Proven Innocent, Titans, Bull and Blue Bloods, among others.

Her film work includes Allswell in New York, Naked Singularity with Olivia Cooke and John Boyega, Cat Person alongside Emilia Jones and Nicholas Braun and The Purge 3.

She will next be seen in John Krasinski’s upcoming feature Imaginary Friends, set for release in 2024.

On the stage, Colón-Zayas most recently starred in the Broadway performance of Stephen Adly Guirgis’ Pulitzer Prize-winning dark comedy Between Riverside and Crazy, where she originated the role of Church Lady. Her off-Broadway credits include Between Riverside and Crazy (Lucille Lortel Award winner), Halfway Bitches Go Straight To Heaven (Drama Desk and Obie Award winner, Lucille Lortel Award nominee, Outer Critics Award honoree), Mary Jane (Lucille Lortel Award nominee), and Living Out (Lucille Lortel Award nominee). She is also a member The LAByrinth Theater Company.

Colón-Zayas continues to be repped by Stewart Talent and Schreck Rose Dapello Adams Berlin & Dunham.

Own Releases Trailer for Second Season of Arlen Escarpeta’s “David Makes Man”

Posted on April 22, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Arlen Escarpeta is the man of the hour…

OWN has annouced the premiere date and released the trailer for the second season of Tarell Alvin McCraney’s David Makes Man, starring the 40-year-old Belizean actor.

Scheduled to debut on OWN on June 22 from 9:00 pm to 10:00 pm ET/PT, David Makes Man‘s sophomore season finds David (Kwame Patterson) in his 30s, a rising businessman facing an opportunity that will change him and his community forever; the mounting forces David to choose between the instincts that helped him survive or finding a new way to truly live.

In addition to Escarpeta, who portrays adult AJ, and Patterson, the series also features series regulars Akili McDowell, Alana Arenas, Travis Coles and Cayden K. Williams.

McCraney serves as executive producer alongside showrunner Dee Harris-Lawrence who serves as showrunner.

Michael B. Jordan’s Outlier Society and Oprah Winfrey’s Harpo Films are also executive producers.

The trailer gives David Makes Man fans their first glimpse at Patterson’s David and teases what the drama’s protagonist must come to terms with – from unstoppable change and growth to unforgettable and formative experiences. See it above.

Tony Plana to Appear on Season Two of OWN’s Drama Series “David Makes Man”

Posted on December 11, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Tony Plana is the new Man on the block…

The 68-year-old Cuban actor and director has joined the cast of OWN’s Peabody Award-winning drama David Makes Man for the upcoming season season.

The Ugly Betty alum will be one of 10 actors set to appear in recurring roles on the series from Oscar winner Tarell Alvin McCraney and Warner Bros. Television.

Plana joins a roster of newcomers that includes Brittany S. Hall, Erica Luttrell, Zsané Jhé, Bobbi Baker, Patrice Arenas, Trinity Cidel, Brandi Huzzie, Rodney Gardiner and Janmarco Santiago.

David Makes Man returned to Orlando, Florida and continued production in October.

On the directing side, Kiel Adrian Scott is set to return to direct five episodes of the new season while Erica Watson (has been tapped to helm the remaining five episodes in the 10-episode sophomore season, which is set to debut in the early summer of 2021.

Season 2 finds David in his 30s (Kwame Patterson, Snowfall, The Wire), a rising businessman facing an opportunity that will change him and his community forever; the mounting pressure forces David to choose between the instincts that helped him survive or finding a new way to truly live.

Here are the details about the recurring characters for Season 2:

Tony Plana (Ugly Betty, The Affair) plays Joe Padilla, a billionaire real estate developer who brings David an ambitious opportunity, under the guise of redevelopment.

Brittany S. Hall (Ballers) plays Nicole, a sophisticated and honest architect who has been dating David but loves her freedom as well.

Erica Lutrell (Westworld, Salvation) plays adult Marissa, a Miami-based marine biologist, activist, and protector of the land and sea. When her former middle school friend-turned-nemesis further threatens the ecological balance of South Florida, Marissa sets out to prove that corporate greed is toxic for everyone.

Zsané Jhé (Good Trouble, Black Lightning) adult Shella, an entrepreneur extraordinaire. She leads the charge for the residents of The Ville in the fight against the real estate redevelopment company trying to gentrify their homes.

Bobbi Baker (House of Payne) plays Robin, Gloria’s loyal and level partner. Together they run Robin’s Nest in Little Havana, a foster home for LGBTQ+ youth.

Patrice Arenas (Celestial) plays Denise, an office assistant at the Edwards Firm (where David works). She keeps things moving at the office while also learning the moods and tempo of her boss.

Trinity Cidel plays Trenise, the gifted daughter of David’s brother, JG. She is calm, introspective, and more like her uncle David than her own father.

Brandi Huzzie (The Demon in the Dark) is cast as Trisha, the long-time girlfriend of JG and mother of his child. Together they raise their daughter Trenise.

Rodney Gardiner (The Warriors) plays Corey Roberts, a Miami district commissioner and politician. Corey offers to work with David and Joe to help push their Ville redevelopment project, but they will have to do it his way.

Janmarco Santiago (The Fate of the Furious) plays Elan, Joe Padilla’s entitled nephew and David’s unrequested assistant.

The new recurring cast members join the previously announced new series regulars Kwame Patterson (Snowfall, The Wire) as adult David and Arlen Escarpeta (The Oath) as adult JG alongside returning series regulars Akili McDowell (young David), Alana Arenas (David’s mom Gloria), Travis Coles (Mx. Elijah) and Cayden K. Williams (young JG) for Season 2.

Liza Colón-Zayas Lands Recurring Role on the Fourth Season on HBO’s Drama Series “In Treatment”

Posted on November 17, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Liza Colón-Zayas is heading to treatment…

The 48-year-old Puerto Rican actress has landed a recurring role opposite Uzo Aduba in the upcoming fourth season of HBO’s Emmy-winning drama series In Treatment.

In Treatment, which ended a three-season run in 2010, is returning for a fourth season as a reimagined half-hour series. The series is in pre-production under COVID-19 guidelines, with a 2021 debut planned to air on HBO and stream on HBO Max.

The reimagining brings a diverse trio of patients in session with the observant, empathetic Dr. Brooke Taylor (Aduba), who is wrestling with her own issues.

Colón-Zayas will play Rita, Brooke’s longtime confidant and friend who supports Brooke as she contends with her own demons after a life-altering loss.

In addition to Aduba, Colon-Reyes joins Anthony Ramos, who also recurs.

The HBO Entertainment production is produced in association with Leverage, Closest to the Hole Productions and Sheleg.

Colón-Zayas, an original member of The LAByrinth Theater Company, earned the 2020 Obie, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle awards.

On television, she recurred as Principal Fallow on the Peabody-winning series David Makes Man.

Arlen Escarpeta to Star in the Second Season of OWN’s Drama Series “David Makes Man”

Posted on August 7, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Arlen Escarpeta is the Manof the hour…

The 39-year-old Belizean actor has been cast as a series regular for the second season of OWN’s acclaimed Peabody-winning drama series David Makes Man.

He’ll star alongside Kwame Patterson, who has been tapped to portray the title character, the adult version of David.

Escarpeta will play his brother JG, in the series which hails from Oscar winner Tarell Alvin McCraney and Warner Horizon Scripted Television.

They join returning series regulars Akili McDowell, Alana Arenas, Travis Coles and Cayden K. Williams for season two.

Created by McCraney and executive produced by Oprah Winfrey, the first season ofDavid Makes Mancentered on David Young (McDowell), a 14-year-old prodigy learning to survive the streets that raised him and the higher education that could offer him a way out. Season two finds David in his early 30s, a rising business man facing an opportunity that will change him and his community forever; the mounting pressure forces David to choose between the instincts that helped him survive or finding a new way to finally, truly live.

Escarpeta’s television credits include series regular roles on Crackle’s The Oath and NBC’s American Dreams, and a recurring role in Syfy’s The Magicians,among others. He also starred as Bobby Brown in the Lifetime original film Whitney.

His feature film credits include Into the Storm, Final Destination 5, Brotherhood, Friday the 13th (2009), and We Are Marshall, among others.

Liza Colón-Zayas to Appear in OWN’s Coming-of-Age Drama Series “David Makes Man”

Posted on October 27, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

Liza Colón-Zayas is OWNingthe day…

OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network has added ten recurring and guest star cast members to the ensemble of its upcoming coming-of-age drama series David Makes Man, including the Puerto Rican actress and playwright.

From Oscar-winningMoonlight co-writer Tarell Alvin McCraney and Warner Horizon Scripted Television. David Makes Mancenters on David, a 14-year-old prodigy from the projects who is haunted by the death of his closest friend and relied on by his hardworking mother to find a way out of poverty. He must choose between the streets that raised him or the higher education that may offer him a way out.

Set in South Florida, the lyrical drama, inspired by events in McCraney’s own life, explores the inherent trauma sustained in the fight for survival.

In addition to Colon-Zayas, who starred in The Purge: Election Year, other cast additions include Lela Rochon, Trace Lysette, Juanita Jennings, Lindsey Blackwell, Solomon Valdez ([Bi]Polar), Teshi Thomas, and newcomers Nick Creegan, Kimaya Naomi and Logan Rozos.

Colon-Zayas plays Principal Fallow. She runs the magnet school that David, Seren and Marissa attend.

Valdezwill play Willie Derrick, an 11-year-old wanna-be dope dealer.

They join the previously announced series regular ensemble cast that includes Akili McDowell, Phylicia Rashad, Nathaniel Logan McIntyre, Isaiah Johnson, Ade Chike Torbert, Jordan Bolger, Cayden K. Williams, Travis Coles and Alana Arenas, along with guest stars Gillian Williams, Elvis Nolasco, and Ruben Santiago-Hudson.

Elvis Nolasco Joins Cast of OWN’s Coming-of-Age Drama Series “David Makes Man”

Posted on August 29, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

Elvis Nolasco is the Man with a plan…

The Dominican actor has joined the ensemble cast of OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network’s upcoming coming-of-age drama series David Makes Man, from Oscar-winning Moonlight co-writer Tarell Alvin McCraney.

David Makes Man centers on David, a 14-year-old prodigy from the projects who is haunted by the death of his closest friend and relied on by his hardworking mother to find a way out of poverty. He must choose between the streets that raised him or the higher education that may offer him a way out. Set in South Florida, the lyrical drama, inspired by events in McCraney’s own life, explores the inherent trauma sustained in the fight for survival.

In addition to Nolasco, who starred in ABC’s anthology series American Crime, cast additions include Alana Arenas, (L.A. Confidential, Chicago P.D.), while Gillian Williams (The Girlfriend Experience), Ruben Santiago-Hudson (The Quad, Billions) and Randy Gonzalez (Bloodline) are set for recurring roles.

They join previously announced cast Phylicia Rashad, Akili McDowell, Nathaniel Logan McIntyre, Isaiah Johnson, Ade Chike Torbert, Jordan Bolger, Cayden K. Williams and Travis Coles.

Directors joining the hour-long drama for Season 1 include Michael Francis Williams, Kiel Adrian Scott, Daina Reid and Cheryl Dunye.

The series, currently in production in Orlando, Florida, is set for a 2019 premiere on OWN.

Arenas will play Gloria, David’s young, hardworking, single mother who wants better for her children. A now-sober, former drug user, she worries that social services might take her sons away.

Williams will recur as Jessica Kelly, David’s former music teacher who is the mother of his best friend, Seren. Santiago-Hudson is Dr. Bree, a clinical psychiatrist who challenges David to examine the trauma of his past and his hopes for the future. Nolasco will play Tio-Teo, the uncle to David’s strained acquaintance, Raynan. He aims to expand his illegal prescription med operation . . . no matter what the cost. Gonzalez is Mr. Lopez, a teacher of remedial math who believes in David more than David believes in himself.

David Makes Man is produced by Page Fright and Outlier Productions in association with Warner Horizon Scripted Television.

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