Ray Santiago to Star in NBC’s Comedy Pilot “Non-Evil Twin”

Ray Santiago is twinning

The 38-year-old Puerto Rican actor has been cast as a series regular opposite Amber Ruffin in the NBC comedy pilot Non-Evil Twin from Universal Television.

Ray SantiagoSantiago is among a roster of new cast additions that includes Christina Anthony and Melanie J. Newby.

Written by Ruffin and Kenny Smith, the multi-camera pilot stars Ruffin playing the dual roles of twin sisters Angie and Amber. Angie is the ruthless CEO of AngieCorp, who is as heartless as she is rich. Angie instills fear in everyone she meets, except her caring sister, Amber, who only sees the good in her. Amber — a pushover when it comes to Angie — is forced to step in as the leader of AngieCorp, a Fortune 500 company, despite knowing little about business and even less about the way her sister has been running the corporation.

Santiago will portray Tony, the well-meaning but brutally honest marketing VP dismissed by Angie but embraced by Amber, who is drawn to his oddball sweetness.

Newby is Amy, Angie’s tough-as-nails vegan cellmate, who refuses to put Angie on a pedestal like everyone else and instead prefers to kick the pedestal out from under her.

Santiago co-starred on Starz’s Ash Vs. Evil Dead and recurred on Bad Judge, Touch, Raising Hope and Dexter. Feature film credits include Trashfire, Sex Ed, In Time, American Son, Meet the Fockers and Girl Fight

Michael Cuesta to Direct Pilot Episode of Marvel Studios’ “Daredevil: Born Again”

Michael Cuesta is born again

The 59-year-old Latino director, who helmed the pilots for shows like Dexter and Homeland, will direct the first episode of Marvel Studios’ Daredevil: Born Again.

Michael CuestaProduction on the 18-episode Disney+ series begins this month in New York and marks the true integration of characters that began life on Netflix, when the streamer had a slate of Marvel series in the mid-2010s, into the popular and dominant Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Charlie Cox, who starred as Matt Murdoch, aka Daredevil, the man without fear, is reprising his role for the series after making brief and teasing cameos in Spider-Man: No Way Home and She-Hulk: Attorney at Law.

Vincent D’Onofrio is back as Wilson Fisk, the Kingpin of Crime — his first appearance in the MCU was a cameo in Hawkeye — and Jon Bernthal is returning as the hard-edged vigilante known as the Punisher.

Other actors on the call sheet include Michael Gandolfini, Margarita Levieva and Sandrine Holt, the latter of whom is playing Vanessa Fisk, the wife of Fisk. Michael Gaston (Chicago P.D., Mayor of Kingstown) is also in the series.

Born Again takes its title from a landmark Daredevil storyline published in 1986, written by Frank Miller and drawn by David Mazzuchelli. The show is deviating from that plot, although by how much is unclear. The Punisher, for example, made no appearance in the comic story. Daredevil versus Wilson Fisk, aka the Kingpin, remains the focal point.

Writers and executive producers Matt Corman and Chris Ord are behind the show, which is expected to bow in the spring of 2024. Cuesta is only directing the opening episode, according to sources. Other directors are being lined up to helm blocks of episodes.

Cuesta is one of the top helmers in the pilot game. In addition to directing the pilots for Dexter and Homeland, both acclaimed gritty dramas and for which he earned an Emmy nomination on the latter, he also directed the pilots for police show Blue Blood and procedural Sherlock Holmes mystery show Elementary.

Directing a pilot is an important task as it normally sets the casting, tone, and look of a series and is seen as a test for a show’s promise as well as a chance to put its best foot forward. And while in the streaming age many shows tend to be given straight-up series orders, helming the first episode remains equally as important.

Other recent series work for Cuesta includes episodes of Dopesick and Billions, and he also directed the action thriller American Assassin, which starred Dylan O’Brien and Michael Keaton.

Jimmy Smits to Star in CBS’ Cop Series Pilot “East New York”

Jimmy Smits is officially on the beat

The 66-year-old half-Puerto Rican actor and NYPD Blue alum has been cast as the male lead opposite Amanda Warren in CBS’ hourlong cop-series pilot East New York.

Jimmy SmitsCo-written by William Finkelstein and Mike Flynn and directed by Mike Robin, the project centers on Regina Haywood (Warren), the newly promoted deputy inspector of East New York, an impoverished, working-class neighborhood at the eastern edge of Brooklyn. She leads a diverse group of officers and detectives, some of whom are reluctant to deploy her creative methods of serving and protecting during the midst of social upheaval and the early seeds of gentrification.

Smits will play three-star Chief John Suarez, whose experience, commanding presence and strong moral center helps oversee the melding of communities and the precincts that serve them.

The Emmy-winning actor has a personal connection to the project. Born in Brooklyn, Smits grew up around the East New York section of the borough and went to school there. Additionally, East New York reunites Smits with Finkelstein, with whom he worked on NYPD Blue, and with Robin, who was a director-producer on the Smits-starring series, NYPD Blue and L.A. Law.

Warner Bros. Television is the studio.

Smits, who won an Emmy for L.A. Law, recently was recently seen in the feature adaptation of In the Heights. His series credits also include Sons of Anarchy and Dexter.

Freddie Prinze Jr. to Star Opposite Aimee Garcia in Untitled Netflix Holiday Rom-Com

Freddie Prinze Jr. is getting into the holiday spirit…

The 45-year-old part-Puerto Rican actor will star opposite Aimee Garcia in an untitled Netflix holiday rom-com to be directed by Gabriela Tagliavini.

Freddie Prinze Jr.

The film centers on Angelina, a pop star feeling career burnout, who escapes to grant a young fan’s wish in small town New York. There, she not only finds the inspiration to revitalize her career, but also a shot at true love.

Jennifer C. Stetson and Paco Farias wrote the original screenplay, with Michael Varrati handling revisions.

German Michael Torres is producing for GMT Films, alongside Lucas Jarach, with Eric Brenner serving as the film’s executive producer.

Prinze Jr. currently voices multiple characters for Adult Swim’s animated series Robot Chicken, and stars in Peacock’s reboot of Punky Brewster. The actor has previously appeared in series including GEGG WARS: Galaxy of CrimeStar Wars RebelsBones24 and Freddie. He’s appeared on the big screen in Vanessa Parise’s Jack and Jill vs. the World, Warner Bros.’ live-action Scooby-Doo films, the original I Know What You Did Last Summer and more.

Garcia is a SAG Award nominee known for her series regular role as Ella Lopez in Netflix’s Lucifer. She will next be seen in the second season of Hulu’s Woke and in Richard Gray’s Western Murder at Emigrant Gulch opposite Gabriel Byrne.  She has also appeared on the TV side in Rush HourDexterVegasGeorge Lopez and more. Her additional film credits include The Addams Family (2019), Saint JudyWhat They HadRoboCop (2014) and Spanglish.

Aimee Garcia to Star on Season 2 of Hulu’s “Woke”

Aimee Garcia is officially woke

The 42-year-old Puerto Rican and Mexican American actress has joined the cast of Woke.

Aimee Garcia

The Hulu series, co-created by Keith Knight and Marshall Todd, centers on Keef Knight (Lamorne Morris), an African-American cartoonist who finds himself on the verge of mainstream success when an unexpected incident changes his life. With a newfound consciousness, Keef must navigate the new voices and ideas challenging him, all without setting fire to everything he’s already built.

In the comedy’s second season, Garcia will play Laura Salgado, a likable but formidable self-made Silicon Valley venture capitalist who is interested in working with Knight.

Garcia is currently appearing as Ella Lopez on Netflix’s Lucifer and recently voiced the character of Jodie Tartleton for Hulu series Marvel’s M.O.D.O.K. After wrapping Lucifer’s sixth and final season, she co-wrote a sequel to 47 Ronin for Universal, in concert with New York Times bestselling author AJ Mendez. Garcia has also penned a Wonder Woman Black & Gold comic for DC, which will be released in August.

She also recently wrapped Holiday in Santa Fe, a TV movie in which she appears opposite Mario Lopez, and Richard Grey’s feature Murder at Emigrant Gulch, which also stars Richard Dreyfuss and Gabriel Byrne. This fall, the actress will star in Match Me If You Can, a romantic comedy that she also exec produced.

On the television side, Garcia’s other credits include Rush HourDexterVegasGeorge Lopez and more.

She has been part of the voice cast of the 2019 animated adaptation of The Addams Family, as well as Elizabeth Chomko’s What They Had and José Padilha’s Robocop.

Aimee Garcia Starring in Western Thriller “Murder At Emigrant Gulch”

The (Big) Sky’s the limit for Aimee Garcia…

The 42-year-old Puerto Rican and Mexican American actress is starring in Murder At Emigrant Gulch, the Western-thriller starring Gabriel Byrne, Thomas Jane and Isaiah Mustafa.

Aimee Garcia

Production has wrapped on the project, which is being directed by Richard Gray.

In addition to Garcia, cast members who joined the film later during production include Richard Dreyfuss, Nat Wolff, Anna Camp and Zach McGowan.

Scottie Thompson, Emma Kenney, Tanaya Beatty, John Ales and singer/YouTube star Lia Marie Johnson round out the cast alongside Isabella Ruby in her feature debut.

Set in 1882, the film follows a former slave (Mustafa) who arrives in Emigrant Gulch, Montana, a desolate former boomtown now on the decline, looking for a place to call home. On that same day, a local prospector discovers gold – and is murdered. The sheriff (Byrne) arrests the town newcomer. But as the mystery of the prospector’s murder deepens, and the town’s earnest preacher (Jane) questions the accused man’s guilt, a clash between faith and the law threatens to tear the town apart.

The film was shot in Montana from a script by Eric Belgau.

Director-producer Gray commented: “Filming this ground-breaking story in Montana, with such a strong and diverse cast was a brilliant experience. It’s a unique and modern themed tale, set in a classic, action filled western — we had a blast!”

Garcia is best known for her role on Showtime’s Dexter. Her other television credits include Lucifer, Trauma and Greetings from Tucson.

Garcia’s previous film credits include RoboCop, El Chicano and Saint Judy.

Michael Cuesta to Direct ABC’s Latinx-Themed Drama Pilot “Promised Land”

Michael Cuesta has landed a promising project…

The 57-year-old Latino film and television director has been tapped to direct and executive produce ABC’s drama pilot Promised Land..

Michael Cuesta

Written by Matt LopezPromised Land is an epic, generation-spanning drama about two Latinx families vying for wealth and power in California’s Sonoma Valley.

The cast includes John Ortiz as Joe Sandoval, patriarch of the Sandoval family, Cecilia Suárez as Lettie Sandoval, matriarch of the Sandoval family, Augusto Aguilera as Mateo Sandoval, the hardworking, highly capable general manager of the Heritage Vineyard and stepson to patriarch Joe Sandoval, Mariel Molino as Camila Sandoval, the youngest daughter of the Sandoval family, Christina Ochoa as Veronica Sandoval, the eldest daughter of the Sandovals, as well as Andres Velez as Carlos Rincón, a young immigrant who comes to the Heritage Vineyard in search of a better life.

Lopez executive produces with Cuesta and Adam Kolbrenner of Lit Entertainment Group. ABC Signature is the studio.

Cuesta also is one of the directors, working with Barry Levinson, on Dopesick, Hulu’s upcoming eight-episode limited series written by Danny Strong, based on Beth Macy’s bestselling book, from The Handmaid’s Tale executive producer Warren Littlefield and Touchstone Television.

He most recently served as executive producer and director, including on the pilot episode, of Homeland, which recently wrapped its eighth and final season on Showtime.

In addition to Homeland, Cuesta directed the pilots for Dexter, Blue Bloods and City on a Hill. His episodic directing credits include Elementary, True Blood and Billions, among others.

James Roday Rodriguez Developing “Good Serial” Series at 20th Century Fox Television

James Roday Rodriguez is feelin’ Good

The 44-year-old Mexican American actor and Psych star, who recently changed his stage name, has teamed up with frequent collaborator Todd Harthan on Good Serial, a darkly twisted, genre mashing comedy project.

James Roday

It has been set up at 20th Century Fox Television, where The Resident showrunner Harthan is under an overall deal.

Written by Roday Rodriguez and Harthan, Good Serial is centered on a trio of roommates, bonded by tragedy, who become vigilantes serving cold dishes of revenge in the spirit of Dexter and Three’s Company.

As a writing team, Roday Rodriguez and Harthan, previously collaborated on the feature films Gravy(2015), directed by Roday Rodriguez, and Skinwalkers (2006) as well as the Treehouse episode of Hulu’s Into the Dark anthology (also directed by Roday Rodriguez).

Additionally, Roday Rodriguez and Harthan worked together on the long-running USA Network dramedy series Psych, starring and produced by Roday Rodriguez, where the duo wrote multiple horror-themed episodes over the four seasons Hartahan worked on the show as consulting producer and co-executive producer.

“Todd and I have been horror hounds since we were kids. The genre feels more fluid than ever and this was an opportunity to take another unorthodox swing,” Roday Rodriguez said.

Roday Rodriguez stars in the ABC drama A Million Little Thingsfor 20th Century Television sibling ABC Studios and in Peacock’s Psych 2: Lassie Come Home, which he also co-wrote and executive-produced. He also has directed multiple episodes of The Resident.

Aimee Garcia to Star In & Executive Produce the Rom-Com “Match Me If You Can”

Aimee Garcia has met her match

The 41-year-old Puerto Rican and Mexican American actress and Lucifer star will executive produce and star in Match Me If You Can, a romantic comedy about the world of dating in today’s geek culture. 

Aimee Garcia

Marian Yeager is directing the film from a script by Betsy Morris.

Garcia, who’ll reprise her role as Ella Lopez in the sixth and final season of Netflix’s Lucifer, will play Kip Parsons, a talented computer nerd who is rejected by an online dating service as “unmatchable.” After her online blog about her humiliating status goes viral, Kip quickly becomes the reluctant spokesperson for all the frustrated singles out there. There’s just one problem: the dating service swears they didn’t reject her and she becomes the target of a kangaroo court.

Production is slated to commence Spring 2021 in Texas.

Garcia, who can be heard in the forthcoming Marvel M.O.D.O.K. animated series at Hulu, has previously appeared in Showtime’s DexterThe George Lopez ShowRoboCop, opposite Gary Oldman and Michael Keaton, Lorenzo DiBonaventura’s superhero movie El Chicano, and MGM’s The Addams Family with Charlize Theron and Oscar Isaac.

Aimee Garcia Joins Voice Cast of Marvel’s “M.O.D.O.K.” at Hulu

Aimee Garciais joining the Marvel Universe

The 41-year-old Puerto Rican and Mexican American actress will be part of the voice cast Marvel’s animated supervillain family sitcom M.O.D.O.K. at Hulu.

Aimee Garcia

With executive producer Patton Oswalt starring as the constantly foiled Mental Organism Designed Only for Killing, the adult-centric comedy is set to debut this year on the Disney-controlled streamer.

She joins a list of newcomers to the animated series that includes Sam Richardson, Wendi McLendon-Coveyand Ben Schwartz.

“I’m blown away by our insanely talented and hilarious voice cast, who have all brought their specific kind of magic to this weird and wonderful corner of the Marvel Universe,” EP and showrunner Jordan Blumsaid of the additions to the series.

Karim ZreikMarvel Television StudiosSVP Original Programming & Production added in a statement today: “Patton and Jordan have done a phenomenal job in laying the groundwork for this exceptional ensemble. We’re thrilled to include this cast in the Marvel family,”

M.O.D.O.K.follows the extremely dysfunctional home life of the ex-A.I.M. member, who made his comics premiere way back in 1967.

In addition to Richardson, McLendon-Covey, Schwartz and Garcia, the cast additions include Melissa FumeroBeck Bennetand Jon Daly.

In Marvel’s M.O.D.O.K.,the megalomaniacal supervillain M.O.D.O.K. (Oswalt) has long pursued his dream of one day conquering the world. But after years of setbacks and failures fighting the Earth’s mightiest heroes, M.O.D.O.K. has run his evil organization A.I.M. into the ground. Ousted as A.I.M.’s leader, while also dealing with his crumbling marriage and family life, the Mental Organism Designed Only for Killing is set to confront his greatest challenge yet: a midlife crisis!

Garcia will play Jodie, M.O.D.O.K.’s wife and mother to his children, has had a late-in-life awakening — excited to pursue her mommy-blog turned lifestyle-brand empire and discover who she is as an independent woman in her forties. There are just too many things to do in this world and not enough time to waste being held back by negativity. And unfortunately for M.O.D.O.K., the thing weighing her down the most… is him.

Fumero will portray Melissa. Even with her father’s “features,” 17-year-old Melissa has risen the ranks to become the Heathers-like queen bee of her school and a star in the world of teen figure skating. Every popular kid either wants to date her or avoid her terrifying wrath. But for all of her success, Melissa secretly yearns for her father’s approval.

Garcia’s previous credits include television credits include George LopezDexterVegasand Lucifer.

Fumero’s television credits include Brooklyn Nine-Nineand One Life to Live.