John Gabriel Rodriquez to Appear in Starz’s Upcoming Black Rodeo Drama Series

John Gabriel Rodriquez is heading to the rodeo…

The Latino actor has been cast in Starz’s upcoming Black rodeo drama series.

John Gabriel Rodriquez Rodriguez is among a roster of new recurring cast members that includes SteVonté Hart, Gabrielle Byndloss, Samuel-Taylor and Aaron Smalls.

The as-yet-untitled series is infused with hip-hop swagger and country soul. The story unfolds in Southeast Texas, where rodeo isn’t just what you do – it’s who you are. At the center are three siblings bound by the legacy their mother built and the unfinished business their father left behind. Driven by their own ambitions and drawn into each other’s orbit, alliances shift, relationships tangle, and nothing stays private for long.

Rodriquez will play Francisco Morales. Seductively confident and effortlessly polished, Francisco is the CEO of Morales Timber Company, a respected family business with shady ties. Educated, strategic, and always several moves ahead, Francisco is slow to anger, but dangerous when pushed too far.

The previously announced cast includes DeWanda Wise as Anaya Clarke-Reagan, Shannon Wallace as Sebastian Clarke, Tian Richards as Rodney Clarke, Curtiss Cook as Elias Clarke, Lauren E. Banks as Wynter, Marcus Emanuel Mitchell as Julius Calhoun, Liv Symone as Jojo Calhoun and Jason Dirden as Greg Reagan.

Kirk A. Moore is showrunner and executive producer. Mark Johnson and Myki Bajaj of Gran Via Productions, and Tony Hernandez, Elise Henderson and Lilly Burns of Counterpart Studios also serve as executive producers. Giovanna Desselle, VP of Original Programming, and Christina Jokanovich, SVP of Original Programming, are the executives overseeing the series for Starz.

Rodriguez’s previous credits include Fantasy Island, The Divergent Series: Allegiant, The Vampire Diaries and The Courier.

Martin Sheen’s Holiday Faith Drama “The One” to be Distributed in U.S. by Hawk Hill Pictures

Martin Sheen is bringing the drama this holiday season.

The 86-year-old half-Spanish actor’s holiday faith drama The One, co-starring actress-singer Jana Kramer, has been picked up for U.S. distribution by Hawk Hill Pictures, which will release the movie in theaters nationwide on November 5.

Martin SheenThe release date coincides with National Homeless Youth Awareness Month, bringing attention to the film’s story of an 18-year-old navigating homelessness after aging out of the Chicago foster system.

Filmed in Oklahoma with incentives from The Film in Oklahoma Act, the film is directed by Lisa Arnold and produced by Erin Elizabeth Cook (who also co-stars), and Adam Ropp.

Also starring are Olivia Sanabia, Nick Zano and Indigenous musician and actor Noah Redclay. The movie also marks the feature-film debut of Ashlyn Tomlin, daughter of singer Chris Tomlin.

The synopsis reads: “When 18-year-old Hawk ages out of the Chicago foster system, he sets out to see the lighting of the country’s largest Christmas tree, the One. Carrying only his guitar, he faces potential homelessness, undiagnosed PTSD, and a harsh winter alone until he crosses paths with Jefferson, a mysterious traveler, and Alexis, a runaway teenager grieving the loss of her twin sister. Together, they embark on an unexpected journey of faith, hope and healing.”

“From the moment we encountered this story, we were captivated,” said Jen Katzfey, President of Hawk Hill Pictures. “It is inspiring, beautifully acted, and shines an important light on a subject that deserves to be seen and heard. We couldn’t be more thrilled to bring this powerful film exclusively to theaters and give audiences the opportunity to experience it on the big screen.”

In conjunction with the movie’s release, the filmmakers have partnered with For Others, the nonprofit founded by Tomlin and his wife, that works to raise awareness of the child welfare crisis in America.

Mileiah Vega Starring in the Music-Driven Indie Drama “The Let Go”

Mileiah Vega is letting go…

The 11-year-old Latina up-and-coming actress has wrapped a lead role alongside Samira Wiley in The Let Go, a Colorado-shot, music-driven indie drama from writer-director Kristen Wolf.

Mileiah Vega

The Let Go follows Chick (Wiley), a resilient single mother determined to help her musically gifted 11-year-old daughter, Lyric (Vega), pursue her big dream. When an unexpected obstacle threatens everything they’ve worked toward, Chick must confront the secret of her own long-buried gift.

Others in the cast include Sophia Bush (One Tree Hill), Daytime Emmy nominee Midori Francis (Grey’s Anatomy), Brandon Flynn (13 Reasons Why), Galen J. Williams (One of Them Days), Nicco Annan (P-Valley), and multiple Emmy and Tony Award nominee Tovah Feldshuh (Nobody Wants This).

Rachel Gould and Adriana Rotaru produced under the recently launched Soto Productions.

Vega previously starred in 20th’s remake of The Hand That Rocks the Cradle for Hulu, as well as American Horror Stories.