Netflix Renews Drama Series “Elite,” Starring Manu Ríos, for Eighth Season

Posted on July 19, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Manu Ríos is heading back to private school…

Netflix’s longest-running Spanish scripted series Elite, starring the 24-year-old Spanish actor, singer and model, has been renewed for an eighth season.

Rios, who portrays Patrick, joined the series, in Season 4.

Elite‘s latest run will feature new faces including Ane Rot and Nuno Gallego, while Mina el Hammani, who recurred in the first three seasons, reprises the role of Nadia.

Created by Carlos Montero and Jaime Vaca, Elite has been airing since 2018 and is set in a fictional high school. The teen drama revolves around the relationships among three working-class students enrolled at the elite school through a scholarship program and their wealthy classmates.

In addition to Rios, other cast include Ander Puig, Carmen Arrufat, Álvaro de Juana, Ana Bokesa, Álex Pastrana, André Lamoglia, Valentina Zenere, Carla Díaz, Martina Cariddi and Adam Nourou.

Mirela Balic, Fernando Líndez, Gleb Abrosimov, Ivan Mendes, Alejandro Albarracin and Maribel Verdu also joined the cast for the previous season.

Zeta Studios is producer.

Netflix Releases Teaser Trailer for Season 7 of Ander Puig’s “Elite”

Posted on June 17, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Ander Puig is returning to his Elite group in the fall…

Netflix has announced Season 7 of its popular Spanish YA drama series Elite, starring the 21-year-old Spanish actor, will premiere on October 20.

The streamer has also unveiled a teaser trailer (with subtitles) for the upcoming season.

Netflix promises Season 7 will be an epic journey for the students of Las Encinas.

In season 6, after another student’s death, Las Encinas entered a new school year determined to cover up for its scandalous past. But conflicts continued as racism, sexism, domestic abuse and homophobia run rampant in the halls of the prestigious institution. If those who run the school don’t take action to root out these issues, the students are going to do it for them.

In addition to Puig, the Season 6 cast includes Carmen Arrufat, Álvaro de Juana, Ana Bokesa, Álex Pastrana, André Lamoglia, Valentina Zenere, Carla Díaz, Martina Cariddi, Adam Nourou and Manu Ríos.

Mirela Balic, Fernando Líndez, Gleb Abrosimov, Ivan Mendes, Alejandro Albarracin and Maribel Verdu will join the cast in the upcoming season.

Nadia Al Saidi, who plays Sonia in season 6 and Omar Ayuso, who has played Omar in seasons 1-5 will also reprise their roles in the new episodes.

Created by Carlos Montero and Jaime Vaca, Season 7 will be directed by Lino Escalera, Menna Fité, Roger Gual and Ana Vázquez.

Pepe Barroso to Star in Gladiator Drama “Those About to Die”

Posted on March 20, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Pepe Barroso is preparing for battle …

The 26-year-old Spanish actor has been cast in Peacock’s epic gladiator drama Those About to Die, as principal photography on the Roland Emmerich series kicked off at Rome’s historic Cinecittà Studios.

Barroso, who recently starred in Gran Turismo, joins a list of new cast additions that includes Iwan Rheon, Liraz Charhi, Johannes Haukur Johannesson, Rupert Penry-Jones, Eneko Sagardoy, Gonçalo Almeida, Kyshan Wilson and Alicia Edogamhe.

Inspired by Daniel Mannix’s nonfiction book, Those About to Die is billed as an epic drama set in the complex and corrupt world of ancient Rome’s spectacle-driven gladiatorial competition.

AGC Television is the studio, with additional financing provided by High End Productions and with local production services provided by Italy’s Wildside Productions.

Anthony Hopkins will play Vespasian, the Emperor of Rome and head of the Flavian bloodline, and the likes of Sara Martins and Dimitri Leonidas have already been cast for key roles.

Sagardoy (Giant, Elite), Barroso (45 rpm) and Almeida (Esperança) play the Corsi brothers.

Emmerich is directing alongside Marco Kreuzpaintner, with Robert Rodat writing.

Manu Rios Signs with William Morris Endeavor (WME)

Posted on March 16, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Manu Rios has new representation…

The 24-year-old Spanish actor and singer, best known for his starring role on Netflix’s popular Spanish YA series Elite, has signed with William Morris Endeavor (WME) for representation.

Rios portrays Patrick Blanco on the international hit series, which is heading into its seventh season on the streamer.

Rios will next be seen starring alongside Ethan Hawke and Pedro Pascal in the upcoming short film Strange Way of Life from Oscar-winning director Pedro Almodóvar. The short is set to premiere at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. The story follows the reunion of an outlaw and a sheriff after 25 years apart, and the romance that followed them there.

Rios is also set to star in the upcoming Netflix limited series El Silencio from Aitor Gabilondo.

He was previously seen in the limited series La Edad de la Ira for Atresmedia.

Danna Paola Signs Exclusive Publishing Deal with Warner Chappell Music Mexico

Posted on December 3, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Danna Paola has locked in a new partner…

The 27-year-old Mexican singer-songwriter, actress and model has signed an exclusive go-forward and full catalog publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music Mexico.

“I’ve been waiting for a music partner like this for a while now and couldn’t be happier,” the “XT4S1S” singer said in a statement. “As a songwriter, I’m glad to be part of a company that supports and respects their artists’ creativity, and I’m pretty sure we’re going to create magic together!”

Since releasing her album K.O. in 2021 — which peaked at No. 9 on Billboard’s Latin Pop Albums chart dated Jan. 30, 2021 — she has released a handful of singles including her latest “XT4S1S,” a euphoric and liberating track.

Her 2020 project, SIE7E+, also entered the charts. It peaked at No. 16 on that same tally.

About the deal, Carlos Ruíz, Warner Chappell Music Mexico managing director, added: “Danna is an artist in every sense of the word. Her talent, professionalism, and dedication are the basis of her solid career and why she has become an icon of her generation — not only in Mexico but in many parts of the world. She provokes a unique connection with her fans through her music, and we are delighted that she has entrusted us to accompany her in all the successes that are to come.”

With more than 10 million listeners on Spotify and collaborations with artists like Sebastián Yatra, David Bisbal, Mau y Ricky, among others, Paola — who also starred in Netflix’s popular series Élite — is currently on the XT4S1S Tour in Mexico.

Prime Video Orders Second Season of Marta Hazas’ Hit “Dias Mejores”

Posted on October 2, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Marta Hazas’ better days continue…

Prime Video has ordered a second season of the hit Spanish series Dias Mejores, starring the 44-year-old Spanish actress, after the success of its first season.

Created by Cristóbal Garrido and Adolfo Valor, the new season will continue to follow the stories of its lead characters Sara (Hazas), Pardo (Erick Elías), Graci (Alba Planas), Luis (Francesc Orella) and Dr. Laforet (Blanca Portillo).

The co-production between ViacomCBS International Studios (VIS) and Madrid-based Zeta Studios, producers of Netflix hit, Elite, will stream exclusively on Prime Video in Spain.

The new season just started shooting and includes an additional robust cast led by Marta Aledo as Emi, Sara’s sister; Carol Rovira as Claudia, the teacher of Pardo’s children, and Sonia Almarcha as Maite, the mother of Graci’s late boyfriend.

In Mejores Dias, creators-showrunners Valor and Garrido explore the challenges of getting over the loss of a loved one and of being a single parent, among other issues. While each character is coping with different personal problems, they all see the same therapist, Dr. Laforet.

Season 2 sees Sara battling a new blow in her life and the arrival of her sister Emi will not make things any easier. Meanwhile, Pardo is wary of starting a new relationship and how that might impact his family. Single mom Graci will have to deal with her mother-in-law who will bring back painful memories of the past. Luis (Francesc Orella) sees his plans to spend more time with family upended by unexpected news.

The series will again be directed by Alejo Flah along with Mar Olid, Violeta Zalama and Adolfo Valor.

Season 2 is penned by the same writers of the first season: Daniel Martín Serrano, Sara Alquezar and Alba Carballal.

Jorge Lopez to Star in AppleTV+’s Bilingual Thriller Series “Now and Then”

Posted on June 13, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Jorge Lopez is preparing for a thriller of a project…

The 29-year-old Chilean actor has been cast in AppleTV+’s bilingual thriller series Now and Then.

Lopez has been added to a list of cast newcomers that includes Alicia Jaziz, Dario Yazbek Bernal, Alicia Sanz, Jack Duarte and Miranda de la Serna.

The Spanish and English series hails from Bambú Producciones and creators Ramón Campos, Teresa Fernández-Valdés and Gema R. Neira, the team behind the Spanish series Velvet, Cable Girls and Gran Hotel. Gideon Raff will executive produce and direct the first two episodes.

Set in Miami, Now and Then explores the differences between youthful aspirations and the reality of adulthood, when the lives of a group of college best friends are forever changed after a celebratory weekend ends up with one of them dead. Now, 20 years later, the remaining five are reluctantly reunited by a threat that puts their seemingly perfect worlds at risk.

Lopez joins as as Alejandro, a dedicated and athletic young man with a bright future. He’s the glue that holds his group of friends together and always does what is expected without thinking of his own happiness.

Jaziz will appear as Young Ana, a younger version of Ana (Marina de Tavira), a smart and ambitious woman who put her political career on hold to support her husband’s.

Yazbek Bernal plays Young Pedro, a younger version of Pedro (José María Yazpik), a complex politician married to Ana, he feels entangled in a life that doesn’t belong to him.

Sanz will take on Young Sofia, a younger version of Sofia (Maribel Verdú), a strong self-made lawyer who’s life took an unexpected turn 20 years ago and is now hiding too many secrets.

Duarte appears as Young Marcos, a younger version of Marcos (Manolo Cardona), a passionate surgeon who sacrificed his dreams for his family and friends.

de la Serna plays Young Daniela, a younger version of Daniela (Soledad Villamil), an introspective artist who constantly struggles to overcome a traumatic event from her past.

Campos and Fernández-Valdés will serve as showrunners, and the series will be written by Neira and Campos with their team. Bambú Producciones will produce the series for Apple TV+.

Lopez is best known for his first major role in the the Disney Channel Latin American telenovela Soy Luna. He also played Valerio in the Netflix series Elite.

Netflix to Premiere Season 4 of Omar Ayuso’s Spanish YA Drama “Elite”

Posted on April 13, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

There’s no summer break for Omar Ayuso.

Netflix has announced June 18 as the worldwide release date for Season 4 of its popular Spanish YA drama series Elite, starring the 23-year-old Spanish actor.

The series received an early fourth season renewal two months before Season 3 premiered, and it was renewed for Season 5 in February, ahead of the Season 4 launch.

Created and written by Carlos Montero and Darío Madrona, Elite is one of the streamer’s best performing Spanish originals, with Netflix noting in 2019 that it had been seen by more than 20 million households.

Season 4 picks up with a new school year at Las Encinas, as well as a new director (Diego Martin): one of the most powerful businessmen in Europe, ready to bring the Las Encinas institution, which, according to him, has been running amok in the past few years, back on track. He brings his three children with him (Carla Díaz, Martina Cariddi, Manu Rios): three teenagers too used to always get their own way, and to have what they want when they want, no matter who falls, and who will jeopardize the union and strong friendship of the students who have stayed at the school.

Andrés Velencoso joins the cast of the fourth season, joining veteran students from Las Encinas: Samuel (Itzan Escamilla), Guzmán (Miguel Bernardeau), Ander (Arón Piper), Omar (Ayuso), Rebeca (Claudia Salas) and Cayetana (Georgina Amorós).

Eduardo Chapero Jackson and Ginesta Guindal will direct new season, which will also feature Jaime Vaca, David Lorenzo, Almudena Ocaña and Esther Morales as screenwriters.

André Lamoglia Joins Cast of Netflix’s Recently Renewed Spanish Drama “Elite”

Posted on February 26, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

André Lamoglia is boarding a high-profile project…

The 23-year-old Brazilian actor has joined the cast of Netflix’s Spanish drama Elite, which has been renewed for a fifth season.

The YA boarding school series has also added Argentinian actress Valentina Zenere to its cast.

The renewal comes before Season 4 has even premiered on Netflix.

Elite, which was created and written by Carlos Montero and Darío Madrona, is one of the streamer’s best performing Spanish originals, with Netflix noting in 2019 that it had been seen by more than 20 million households.

Described as “effervescent, uninhibited and sensual,” the soapy teen series follows the intrigue at Las Encinas, an exclusive boarding school in Spain. It is made by Zeta Audiovisual, which has offices in Barcelona, Madrid, and Seville.

Itzan Escamilla, Miguel Bernardeau, Arón Piper, Omar Ayuso, Claudia Salas and Georgina Amorós will appear in Season 4, while new cast includes Andrés Velencoso, Manu Rios, Carla Díaz, Martina Cariddi, Pol Granch, and Diego Martín.

Danna Paola Teams Up with Luisa Sonza & Aitana for New Single “Friend de Semana”

Posted on November 1, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Danna Paola is makin’ new friend with benefits…

The 25-year-old Mexican singer/actress has joined voices with two of Latin music’s hottest up-and-coming artists for her new single “Friend de Semana.”

In collaboration with Brazil’s Luisa Sonza and Spain’s Aitana, Danna Paola dropped the playful and catchy reggaeton-meets-cumbia track perfect for any friends with benefits.

“Quiero bailar contigo este fin de semana / I just wanna see you pa’ matar la’ gana’ / Ya sabes que te toca entrar por la ventana / Tú no te aguantas, tú no te aguantas,” the powerhouses sing in the flirtatious lyrics.

Directed by Charlie Nelson in different parts of a school, the music video offers up major Elite vibes.

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