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

Posted on March 22, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

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 Novela, the CW’s Jane the Virgin spinoff pilot.

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 Urman, Jane 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 Birth, Teen Wolf, Glee, East 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 Why, The Blacklist, Jack Ryan, and the feature film Queen & Slim.

Martinez to Return for Season 3 of ABC’s Anthology Series “American Crime”

Posted on August 23, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Benito Martinez is back to a life of Crime…

The 45-year-old Latino actor is set to return for another installment of ABC’s anthology series American Crime.

Martinez, who co-starred in the first season of the series from John Ridley and guest starred in Season 2, will return for season 3.

He joins fellow retuning players Timothy Hutton, Felicity Huffman, Regina King, Lili Taylor, Richard Cabral and Connor Jessup in the acclaimed series, executive produced by Ridley and Michael McDonald.

His character provides a further glimpse into Season 3, which explores labor issues, economic divides and individual rights in North Carolina.

“Ever since Benito brought the role of Alonzo Gutierrez to life in season one, John and I have been looking for a character that would be as memorable and worthy of Benito’s talent. He will be tackling the role of a man searching for his missing son,” said McDonald.

Martinez, an alum of The Shield, recently worked opposite Tom Cruise on the crime thriller American Made. He had recurring roles on How To Get Away with Murder and The Blacklist.

Cabral Returning for Season 3 of ABC’s “American Crime”

Posted on July 9, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Richard Cabral isn’t leaving his Crime family…

The Mexican American actor has joined Felicity Huffman and Regina King as the third cast member to sign on for the upcoming third installment of John Ridley’s acclaimed ABC anthology series American Crime.

In Season 3, the series will be set in North Carolina and will deal with labor issues, economic divides and individual rights.

American Crime earned 10 Emmy nominations for its first season, winning for King. Cabral received a supporting actor Emmy nomination for his portrayal of Hector Tontz. The series, executive produced by Ridley and Michael McDonald, is coming off a well-received second season.

Cabral’s feature work includes Ridley Scott’s The Counselor, Chris Weitz’s A Better Life and End of Watch opposite Jake Gyllenhaal, and he also had guest-starring turns on ABC’s Body of Proof and HBO’s Luck.

He’ll next be seen in Blood Father, a Taken-style action thriller directed by Jean-Francois Richet (Mesrine) and starring Mel Gibson.

Cannavale to Appear in “Variety Studio: Actors on Actors” Series

Posted on April 2, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Bobby Cannavale is ready to talk shop…

Variety and PBS SoCal have announced the line-up for the fourth installment of their awards season series “Variety Studio: Actors on Actors,” with the 45-year-old half-Cuban American actor making the final cut.

Available to stream on Variety.com, the new “Actors on Actors” season will feature one-on-one discussions between this year’s Emmy contenders.

Along with Cannavale, who stars in HBO’s Vinyl, this year’s conversations, which will be printed in the June 7 issue of Variety, will also include Aziz Ansari (“Master of None”), Rachel Bloom (“Crazy Ex-Girlfriend”), Emilia Clarke (“Game of Thrones”), Jamie Lee Curtis (“Scream Queens”), Kirsten Dunst (“Fargo”), Jay Duplass (“Transparent”), Billy Eichner (“Difficult People”), Sam Heughan (“Outlander”), Tom Hiddleston (“The Night Manager”), Felicity Huffman (“American Crime”), Lady Gaga (“American Horror Story”), Jennifer Lopez (“Shades of Blue”), Rob Lowe (“Grinder”), Rami Malek (“Mr. Robot”), Thomas Middleditch (“Silicon Valley”), Aaron Paul (“The Path”), Sarah Paulson (“American Crime Story”), Krysten Ritter (“Jessica Jones”), Tracee Ellis Ross (“Black-ish”), Patrick Stewart (“Blunt Talk”), John Travolta (“American Crime Story”), Courtney B. Vance (“American Crime Story”) and Kerry Washington (“Confirmation”).

“Variety is thrilled to cover the best actors on television in this season’s ‘Actors on Actors’ for PBS stations,” said Variety‘s executive TV editor Debra Birnbaum in a statement. “This season’s lineup includes actors from some of the top new television programs and showcases the wide diversity of roles for actors on broadcast, cable and streaming platforms.”

PBS SoCal will premiere the segment in two episodes, one on June 12 and the other on June 19.

“Through their craft, the actors interviewed on ‘Actors on Actors’ effortlessly spark our imaginations and take us to new places,” said PBS SoCal president and CEO Andy Russell in a statement. “Through this partnership with Variety we are pleased to enhance the experience of fans of great television – providing them greater insight into the people who bring them their favorite dramas, comedies and more.”

Nolasco’s “American Crime” to Premiere on January 6 on ABC

Posted on November 7, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Elvis Nolasco is ringing in the New Year with a little Crime…

ABC has slated John Ridley’s American Crime, starring the Dominican actor, to premiere on January 6.

The second season of the critically acclaimed series will return for a second season on a new night, Wednesday, where it will air in Nashville’s 10:00 pm time slot while the country music drama is on winter hiatus.

American Crime‘s second season is set in the U.S. Midwest at two high schools, one public and one private.

The first season of the show, which followed a racially charged murder and the subsequent trial, aired in the Thursday 10 PM slot, succeeding How To Get Away With Murder, which has shorter (18-episode) seasons per star Viola Davis’ contract.

This season, the plan is to keep the Shondaland branding on the night intact with the latest Shonda Rhimes-produced drama, The Catch, following HTGAWM in the 10:00 pm hour.

In Season 2, issues of sexual orientation and socioeconomic disparity come to a boil when lurid photos of a high school boy are posted on social media following a school party. Circumstances become more complicated when the boy accuses two players on an elite private high school’s championship basketball team of drugging, assaulting and then posting the pictures of him online.

Many of the Season 1 cast members are back, including stars Felicity Huffman and Timothy Hutton, as well as co-stars Regina King — who won an Emmy for her role — Lili Taylor and Nolasco, who are joined by Trevor Jackson, Connor Jessup, Joey Pollari and Angelique Rivera.

Rivera to Star in ABC’s Drama Anthology “American Crime”

Posted on July 26, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

It’s about to get downright criminal for Angelique Rivera…

The Latina actress has been cast in the second season of ABC’s drama anthology American Crime.

Rivera, a Hollywood newcomer, has been cast in the role of “Evy”. The only witness to a crime, her testimony could alter the lives of the young men who stand accused.

Rivera joins returning stars Lili Taylor, Felicity Huffman, Timothy Hutton, Elvis Nolasco and Richard Cabral, all of whom are playing new characters in a new setting.

Executive producer John Ridley has stated that the new season will deal with “physicality, sexuality and societal boundaries with the same urgency as our first season dealt with race and faith.”

Nolasco Returning for Season Two of ABC’s Drama “American Crime”

Posted on June 22, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

There’s more crime in Elvis Nolasco’s future…

The Dominican actor is returning for the second season of ABC’s drama American Crime.

Nolasco, who portrayed addict Carter Nix on the show’s first season, and fellow standout Richard Cabral join returning cast members Timothy Hutton, Regina King and Felicity Huffman. Those actors returning for Season 2 of American Crime will play new characters in a new setting.

“After playing individuals on the fringes of the law, Season 2 will offer complete role reversals for both Elvis and Richard,” American Crime executive producer John Ridley told Deadline. “Elvis playing a fundamentally good man scapegoated by the system in which he works. Richard as someone who takes it upon himself to stand for the rights of others, even if it means he stands alone. Elvis and Richard both gave revelatory performances last year, and we are so happy to have them rejoining Felicity, Tim and Regina.”

While the first season followed the aftermath of a murder in Modesto, CA, Season 2 will film in Austin, with production likely to begin in July.

In terms of season 2’s exact locale, Ridley says the story takes place “in the Midwest, which is where I grew up…it’s a place that when you hear it, there’s no preconceived notions.”

Ridley told Deadline previously that King’s character in Season 2 “is going to be at the center of a story that deals with physicality, sexuality and societal boundaries with the same urgency as our first season dealt with race and faith.”

Further expounding on season 2’s themes, Ridley added during the American Crime Q&A that season 2 will also deal with “sexual orientation and boundaries as it relates to young people and the system that we hope has the best interests of our families and hearts.”

ABC to Premiere “American Crime,” Featuring Nolasco, in March

Posted on November 20, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Elvis Nolasco is bringing a dose of crime to Thursdays…

ABC has announced the premiere date for drama American Crime, starring the Dominican actor.

Written, directed and executive-produced by John Ridley, the series chronicles the aftermath of a brutal attack on a young couple.

American Crime debuts on Thursday, March 5 at 10:00 pm, one week after How to Get Away with Murder ends its freshman season with a two-hour finale on February 26.

In addition to Nolasco, the series also stars Felicity Huffman, Timothy Hutton,W. Earl Brown, Richard Cabral, Caitlin Gerard, Benito Martinez, Penelope Ann Miller and Johnny Ortiz.

ABC Orders Martinez’s “American Crime” to Series

Posted on May 10, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Crime apparently does pay for Benito Martinez…

ABC has ordered to series American Crime, which stars the 42-year-old Latino actor.

From ABC Studios, the dark, racially charged drama, starring Timothy Hutton and Felicity Huffman, centers on a young couple in Modesto, California, who are attacked in their home.

Matt Skokie, a war vet, was killed, and his wife, Lily, is unconscious, barely hanging on. Both sets of parents are at her bedside hoping for a miracle while four suspects are about to be arrested. The case sends shock waves into the community stirring up tensions across racial lines in this gritty drama.

Benito Martinez, best known for hisroles on Sons of Anarchy, Supernatural and The Shield, portrays Alonzo Gutierrez.

Martinez’s costars W. Earl Brown, Richard Cabral, Penelope Ann Miller, Elvis Nolasco and Johnny Ortiz.

American Crime was written, directed and produced by John Ridley (12 Years A Slave).

Paramount May Distribute Gomez’s “Rudderless” in North America

Posted on April 2, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Selena Gomez’s latest film project isn’t so rudderless…

Paramount Pictures is reportedly close to finalizing a low-seven-figure deal on Rudderless, starring the 21-year-old Mexican American actress/singer, according to Deadline.com.

Scripted by Casey Twenter and Jeff Robison, the film revolves around a grieving father in a downward spiral who stumbles across a box of his recently deceased son’s demo tapes and lyrics. Shocked by the discovery of this unknown talent, he forms a band in the hope of finding peace in the wake of his loss.

Paramount will acquire North American distribution rights and several additional territories for the film, which stars William H. Macy in his feature-film directorial debut.

Rudderless will begin with a theatrical run in a deal that is taking shape with Samuel Goldwyn Co. The film will be released later this fall.

Macy stars with Gomez, Billy Crudup, Anton Yelchin, Laurence Fishburne and Felicity Huffman in the musical drama about the power of a parent’s love.

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