Wilmer Valderrama’s Allied Management Group Signs a Slew of Latino Writers

Wilmer Valderrama is giving up-and-coming Latino writers their big break…

The 44-year-old Venezuelan & Colombian American actor’s Allied Management Group, which he set up with John Pollak, has signed a number of Latino writers to its roster.

Wilmer ValderramaThe company has signed Luisa Leschin, Raphael Draccon & Carolina Munhóz, The Original Content Society’s Raúl Campos and Felix de Valdivia, and Daniel and Diego Ayala López.

The goal is for Allied to bring these Latino writers to networks, streamers and studios in the U.S English-language market.

Leschin has worked on nearly 500 episodes of television including Netflix’s Gentefied, where she was a co-exec producer on its second season, Max’s Head of the Class, where she was a co-EP and Hulu’s East Los High. She has also worked on series including Everybody Hates Chris and The George Lopez Show.

Draccon and Munhóz are a husband-and-wife writing team who showran The Chosen One and Invisible City for Netflix and have a first-look deal with Warner Bros. Discovery LatAm to work with Max. They have also written comic books for both Marvel and DC

Campos and de Valdivia are brothers, born in Mexico, who run The Original Content Society. They created, wrote, directed and produced the first YouTube Original sitcom in Latin America – Sobrevivi – as well as Spotify’s first original comedy series, El Grupo, and are co-exec producers for the third and fourth seasons of Amazon’s LOL starring Eugenio Derbez. In addition to producing and directing 24 Netflix comedy specials, they have a first look deal with ITV America, where they are developing an international comedy series called Güerita.

Daniel and Diego Ayala López, born in Colombia were behind Amazon series Manes, which was the most-watched series for Amazon Colombia, and Los BillisThey have worked with Colombia’s Caracol and are currently developing a number of projects with U.S. studios and production companies.

“These writers are currently helping to define the future of Latino story telling by creating universal stories that aren’t defined by borders or language, but instead reflect the modern content experience- groundbreaking storytelling that can be consumed by viewers in a global market,” said Pollak and Valderrama.  “As the need for fresh stories and unique points of view continue to be the priority for Hollywood, these writers will lead the charge and redefine how premium content is created and Allied Mgmt Group is honored to be working alongside them.”

Tracy Perez to Appear on Season Two of Starz’s “Power Book III: Raising Kanan”

Tracy Perez is powering up…

The Latina actress has joined the cast of Starz’ Power Book III: Raising Kanan for Season 2 in a recurring role.

Tracy Perez

Perez will portray Detective Adina Foyle, Detective Burke’s (Shanley Caswell) ex-girlfriend who is making a comeback as her new girlfriend.

From creator and showrunner Sascha PennPower Book III: Raising Kanan takes viewers back to the ’90s and the early years of the now-deceased Kanan Stark, portrayed in Courtney Kemp’s original series by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson.

Power Book III: Raising Kanan is executive produced by Kemp through her company End of Episode and Jackson through his G-Unit Film and Television. Penn is the creator/showrunner of Raising Kanan.

Lionsgate Television produces the series for Starz.

Perez most notably starred in Hulu’s East Los High in the role of Vanessa De La Cruz across the show’s four seasons from 2013 to 2017. Her television credits also include roles in Animal KingdomDeadwax, and The Strain.

She will next appear in the Christian Sesma-directed film, Section Eight.

Carlos Santos to Star Opposite Eugenio Derbez in English-Remake of “The Valet”

Carlos Santos is preparing for Valet service…

The 35-year-old Puerto Rican actor and comedian will star in Lionsgate’s The Valet, the English-language remake of Francis Veber’s French film.

Carlos Santos

Santos joins a roster of new cast additions that includes Noemi Gonzalez (Selena: The SeriesEast Los High), Tiana Okoye (Awkwafina Is Nora From QueensThe Good Place), Diany Rodriguez (Law & Order: Organized CrimeNew Amsterdam)Armando Hernandez (El César series on Prime Video, Disney+ series El Repatriado.

They join stars Eugenio Derbez and Samara Weaving in the film, which is being directed by Richard Wong.

The film, written by Rob Greenberg and Bob Fisher, follows Olivia (Weaving), a movie star who enlists Antonio (Derbez) – a parking valet – to pose as her lover to cover for a relationship with a married man. As a valet, the hard-working Antonio usually flies under the radar but his ruse with Olivia thrusts him into the spotlight and brings him to see himself more clearly than ever before.

Santos and Hernandez will play the valets who work with Antonio at a tony Beverly Hills restaurant.

Gonzalez will play Clara, Antonio’s sister and the wife of Benny, Antonio’s boss.

Okoye is Amanda, Olivia’s dedicated but jaded assistant.

Rodriguez will play Natalie, who works at Antonio’s neighborhood bike shop.

Derbez and Ben Odell are producing through their 3Pas Studios banner, while Meredith Wieck and Aaron Edmonds are overseeing the project for Lionsgate.

Cinthya Carmona to Star in New Netflix Comedy Series

Cinthya Carmona is ready to spread a little peace on earth…

The 30-year-old Venezuelan actress has been added to the lead cast in Netflix’s still-untitled multi-camera comedy series from Jack Dolgen, Doug Mand and Kourtney Kang.

Cinthya Carmona

Carmona will star opposite Olivia Macklin and Michael Hsu Rosen. They will star opposite Emily Osment and Gregg Sulkin in the project, which was created and written by Dolgen and Mand and directed by Pamela Fryman.

The Untitled Dolgen/Mand/Kang Project centers on a snooty, self-proclaimed intellectual (Osment) forced to move in with her carefree sister and her sister’s lovably eccentric friends, played by Sulkin, Hsu, Rosen and Carmona.

Macklin will play Claire, scatterbrained optimist and the world’s worst waitress (although the customers love her). She lives a carefree life, surrounded by her best friends. Claire is excited at the prospect of finally bonding with her older sister, Chelsea. Like, really really really really excited!

Rosen will portray Jayden, a former child-model who now makes his living as a social media influencer. He’s confident, generous and the hottest gay man alive according to an online poll which he created and votes on daily.

Carmona plays Solana, a former lawyer turned unqualified health guru. She brings her lawyerly intensity to everything, especially crystals and meditation. She wants nothing more than to bring peace and healing to everyone she meets. That said, she hasn’t slept a wink in years.

Osment will play Chelsea, and Sulkin plays Grant, the romantic, genuinely sweet, and an often shirtless personal trainer.

Carmona recently starred as the female lead in David Ayer’s The Tax Collector. Her other credits include Fox’s Deputy, Hulu’s East Los High and Netflix’s Greenhouse Academy.

Carlos Portugal Developing Thriller Drama “Heirs” for NBC

Carlos Portugal is television’s heir(s) apparent…

NBC has put in development Heirs, a thriller drama from the Daytime Emmy-nominated Latino television writer, director and producer, Davis Entertainment and Universal Television.

Carlos Portugal

Written by Portugal, Heirs is set in Miami Beach’s exclusive Star Island. It revolves around the heirs of a Latin American ex-dictator who face an unexpected dilemma when a young girl is kidnapped from their home on the night of their own daughter’s lavish quinceañera.

Portugal executive produces with Davis Entertainment’s John Davis, Jordan Davis and John Fox. Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group, is the studio.

Portugal is also developing his original scripted drama Miss-ng at HBO Max with Macro/UCP, as well as a feature film musical entitled El Beso at Netflix with Lucky Chap and Screen Arcade producing. El Beso is based on the romantic Mexican urban legend around Guanajuato, Mexico’s famous ‘Alley of the Kiss’.

Portugal previously co-created the Hulu series East Los High, on which he also served as a director and executive producer. The show, which earned him a Daytime Emmy nod, was one of Hulu’s first original series and ran for four seasons.

His other credits include Meet the Browns, House of Payne and the feature film East Side Story

Christina Milian to Star in an Alicia Keys-Produced Netflix Rom-Com

Christina Milian is returning to Netflix

The 38-year-old Afro-Cuban American singer/actress will star in the Alicia Keys-produced untitled Netflix romantic comedy that explores the bonds of love and family.

Christina Milian

Milian, who previously starred on the Netflix film Falling Inn Love and appeared on Netflix’s series Soundtrack, will star opposite Jay Pharoah, and Sinqua Walls will star in the film, which is being directed by Steven Tsuchida.

The script was co-written by Dana Schmalenberg and Rheeqrheeq Chainey. It centers around an aspiring pop star, Erica, who ends up as the entertainment at her ex-fiancé’s wedding after reluctantly taking a gig at a luxurious island resort while in the wake of a music career meltdown. She tries to keep their past relationship a secret from his bride-to-be Beverly, but Erica rediscovers her feelings for her ex, Jason, despite his brother Caleb’s attempts to keep them from falling back in love. The question soon becomes will Erica sing at Beverly’s wedding – or her own?

Filming will take place in Mauritius.

Milian, known for her hit singles  “AM to PM,” “Dip It Low” and “Whatever U Want,” has previously starred in A Snow Globe Christmas and East Los High.

Netflix Renews Shakira Barrera’s Female Wrestling Dramedy “Glow” for Fourth & Final Season

Shakira Barrera will be getting her last fight…

Netflix has picked up its female wrestling dramedy GLOW, starring the Nicaraguan American actress, for a fourth and final season.

Shakira Barrera

The series, which stars Alison BrieBetty Gilpin and Marc Maron, is set to end after the next season. This is in line with a number of Netflix originals that end after three or four seasons.

GLOW, which has earned 15 Emmy nominations and three wins during its run, was inspired by the short-lived but beloved 1980s show. It tells the fictional story of Ruth Wilder (Brie), an out-of-work, struggling actress in 1980s Los Angeles who finds one last chance for stardom when she’s thrust into the glitter and spandex world of women’s pro wrestling.

In addition to working with 12 Hollywood misfits, Ruth also has to compete with Debbie Eagan (Gilpin) a former soap actress who left the business to have a baby, only to be sucked back into work when her picture-perfect life is not what it seems. And at the wheel is Sam Sylvia (Maron), a washed-up, B-movie director who now must lead this group of women on the journey to wrestling stardom.

Season 3 followed the ladies of GLOW as they took the Vegas strip by storm. Now headliners at the Fan-Tan Hotel and Casino, the women quickly realize that Sin City is much more grind than glitter. Ever the team cheerleader, Ruth’s passion for the show begins to take a backseat to her increasingly complicated personal life. Debbie is making headway as a producer but continues to be consumed with guilt over the distance between her and her son. As their residency wears on, the lines blur between performance and reality, and the cast finds itself struggling with identities both in and out of the ring.

Barrera has portrayed Yolanda “Junkchain” Rivas on the series since Season Two.

Creators Liz Flahive and Carly Mensch will return as showrunners and writers and will executive produce alongside Jenji Kohan, Tara Herrmann and Mark Burley.

The third season premiered last month, and the fourth season is expected in 2020.

Barrera’s previous credits include appearances on Grey’s Anatomy, Rosewood, East Los High, Faking It and Queen of the South.

Imagen Foundation to Honor Luisa Leschin with Writing Honor at This Year’s Imagen Awards

Luisa Leschin has the writestuff…

The 66-year-old El Salvadoran & Guatemalan television producer, actress, and voice-over artistwill be honored with the Norman Lear Writer’s Award at the 34th Annual Imagen Awards, which will be held August 10 at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills.

Luisa Leschin

Leschin is an industry veteran who has produced shows like George LopezEverybody Hates Chrisand East Los HighShe currently is the co-executive producer of the Netflixoriginal series Mr. Iglesias starring Gabriel Iglesiasand Sherri Shepherd.

“Norman Lear is a towering legend in the entertainment industry having create some of Hollywood’s most ground-breaking sitcoms,” said Leschin. “He has inspired every writer to think beyond the norm and is someone I have always looked up to. I’m beyond honored.”

Leschin has had her hand in nearly every aspect of the entertainment industry. She began her career as a ballet dancer then turned to acting, having appeared in many iconic TV series including Beverly Hills 90210Love BoatER,QuincyFalcon CrestHill St. Blues and others. On the feature side, she has appeared in Saturday Night Fever and True Confessions.

The Norman Lear Writer’s Award honors those that have exhibited efforts towards increasing diversity within all aspects of the entertainment industry. Past recipients include Gloria Calderon KellettPeter Murrieta, John LeguizamoFred Armisenand Roberto Orci.

Ivonne Coll to Star in The CW’s “Jane the Virgin” Spinoff, “Jane the Novela”

There’s more Jane in Ivonne Coll’s future…

The 71-year-old Puerto Rican actress and Jane the Virgin star has landed a series regular role in Jane the Novelathe CW’s Jane the Virgin spinoff pilot.

Ivonne Coll

The project will be headlined by Jacqueline Grace Lopezand narrated and executive produced by Jane the Virgin star Gina Rodriguez, with Coll providing a little continuity from the original series in front of the camera.

The telenovelaanthology offshoot will also star Remy Hii, Hunter Parrish, Benito Martinez and Holland Roden.

Written/executive-produced by Jane the Virgin writer Valentina Garza, directed/exec produced by Jane the Virgin EP Brad Silberling and executive-produced by Jane the Virgin creator/EP Jennie Snyder UrmanJane the Novela is a soapy, telenovela-inspired anthology series in the tradition of Jane the Virgin, where each season is based on a different fictional novel “written by” Jane Villanueva and narrated by the author herself.

The first installment takes place at the intersection of Napa Valley wine country and the San Francisco art scene and pairs family secrets and sins of the past with twists, tropes and a bloody bottle of red. It centers on Estela (Lopez), an up-and-coming art curator who has spent years playing it safe and coloring within the lines. But a shocking secret changes everything and forces her to live a double life.

Being “in the tradition” of Jane the Virgin, Jane the Novela mirrors the setup of the original series. It too follows a driven, imaginative twentysomething Latina woman (Lopez) who is torn between her boyfriend, Luen (Hii), and Felix (Parrish), a handsome, rich guy. In this case, Luen is head of security while Felix is in the wine business vs. Jane Villanueva’s cop boyfriend Michael and love interest Rafael, a hotel heir.

Hii’s Luen is Estela’s sweet, dependable, long-term boyfriend. When the life he’s planned for himself and Estela is threatened by Felix, Luen will stop at nothing to win back the woman he loves.

Coll will play Camila, Estela’s adoptive mother. Camila would do anything to protect her daughter and the life they have built, even lie to her. On Jane the Virgin, Coll plays Jane’s grandmother and Xo’s mother Alba.

Martinez portrays Raul, the winery’s enigmatic riddler. Nobody knows Napa’s terrain like he does – he specializes in collecting dirt on everyone.

Coll’s other television credits include Switched at BirthTeen WolfGleeEast Los High and Nip/Tuck.

Martinez is known for his portrayal of Los Angeles politician David Aceveda for seven seasons on FXpolice drama The Shield. He had a starring role in John Ridley’s anthology series American Crime Story alongsideFelicity Huffmanand Regina Kingand can next be seen in the upcoming seasons of 13 Reasons WhyThe BlacklistJack Ryan, and the feature film Queen & Slim.