Shakira Barrera Signs with Innovative Artists for Representation

Posted on March 28, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Shakira Barrera is ready to innovate…

The 34-year-old Nicaraguan American actress has signed with Innovative Artists for representation.

The actress, dancer, producer and humanitarian is best known for her breakout role in Netflix’s G.L.O.W. as Yolanda Rivas, a lady wrestler.

Most recently, she starred as First Officer Jensen Corbyt in Star Wars: Ahsoka opposite Rosario Dawson and in the series regular role of Gloria, a college-educated scam artist who discovered her love for conning people at a young age, in Greg Garcia’s Sprung from Prime Video alongside Garret Dillahunt and Martha Plimpton.

Her upcoming projects include a guest-starring role on HBO’s Hacks and a series regular role on Marvel’s Ironheart starring Dominique Thorne and Anthony Ramos.

Her additional TV credits include Showtime’s Shameless, TNT’s Animal Kingdom, Netflix’s It’s Bruno! and OWN’s All Rise for Season 3.

Most recently, Barrera has been producing and creating projects of her own.

In addition to acting and producing, she is a global ambassador for the Nicaraguan Human Rights Alliance, helping immigrants coming from Central America and is also an ambassador for the non-profit, “Project SchoolHouse,” building permanent water structures in Nicaragua.

Starz to Premiere Third & Final Season of Monica Raymund’s “Hightown” in January

Posted on December 13, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Monica Raymund is preparing for her swan song…

Starz has announced that season three of its drama series Hightown, starring the 37-year-old half-Dominican American actress, will be its last.

From creator Rebecca Cutter, Hightown premiered in 2020 with Raymund set as the gritty crime drama’s star.

The series is set in the beautiful but bleak world of Cape Cod and follows Jackie Quiñonez’s journey to sobriety is overshadowed by a murder investigation dragging her into its fold.

Set to premiere on January 26, the third and final season follows Massachusetts State Trooper Jackie Quiñones (Raymund) who has fallen off the wagon and her job due to it. Jackie doesn’t let any of that stop her from trying to help save many of the most often ignored and forgotten victims in Cape Cod, sex workers.

In Season 2, Quiñones finally becomes a real cop with the hope of doing some good in this world. Thrust immediately into the crime wave of deadly carfentanyl flooding the Cape, she was laser-focused on bringing down drug dealer Frankie Cuevas (Amaury Nolasco), the man she holds responsible for the death of her best friend, Junior (Shane Harper). With disgraced officer Ray Abruzzo (James Badge Dale) off the force and mired in depression, Jackie finds a new partner in Leslie (Tonya Glanz), the only other female on the force. Through it all, Jackie must walk the tightrope of sobriety as she struggles to stay above an ocean of secrets, betrayal and the shame and failure of her past.

In addition to Raymund, Dale and Nolasco, the returning cast includes Riley Voelkel, Atkins Estimond and Dohn Norwood. Imani Lewis, Mark Boone Junior and Mike Pniewski return in recurring roles while Ana Nogueira, Taja V. Simpson, Michael Drayer, Garret Dillahunt and Jeanine Serralles all guest star.

Trailer Released for Universal’s Action-Film “Ambulance,” Starring Eiza Gonzalez

Posted on October 24, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Eiza Gonzalez is going on the ride of her life…

Universal has released the trailer for Ambulance, starring the 31-year-old Mexican actress and singer alongside Jake Gyllenhaal, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Garret Dillahunt.

The action film is directed by Michael Bay.

Gyllenhaal and Abdul-Mateen play old buddies whose plan to rob a bank in an effort to help Abdul-Mateen’s character pay for surgery for his wife goes south, and they’re forced to hijack an ambulance to try and get away. But it happens to be transporting a police officer who’d been shot while trying to stop the robbery. Gonzalez plays the paramedic in the vehicle.

The film is set to open in theaters on February 18, 2022, on Presidents Day weekend.

“It’s the kind of movie made for a big old movie theater,” said Gyllenhaal about the movie during this year’s CinemaCon.

Ambulance, based on the original Danish film Ambulancen, was adapted by Chris Fedak.

Remi Adeleke, A Martinez, Keir O’Donnell, Moses Ingram, Wale Folarin, Cedric Sanders, Jackson White, Colin Woodell and Olivia Stambouliah also star.

Shakira Barrera to Star in Greg Garcia’s IMDb TV Comedy “Sprung”

Posted on June 23, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Shakira Barrera has sprung…

The Nicaraguan-American actress/dancer and former GLOW star has joined the cast of Sprung, IMDb TV’s new single-camera comedy from My Name Is Earl, Raising Hope and The Guest Book creator Greg Garcia, 3 Arts and Amazon Studios.

Barrera joins a list of new cast additions that includes James Earl and newcomer Clare Gillies.

Barrera, Earl and Gillies join previous cast Garret Dillahunt, Illeana Douglas and Philip Garcia in the project, which follows an unlikely group of formerly incarcerated people who band together to use their criminal expertise for good,

Sprung follows Jack (Dillahunt), a convicted criminal who is determined to change course and reclaim his lost years after serving more than two decades in prison. With no place to live post-release, and a global pandemic bringing the world to a virtual standstill, Jack moves in with his former cellmate Rooster (Garcia), Rooster’s mom Barb (Douglas) and Jack’s former prison girlfriend Gloria. Bound by their marred past and unusual living circumstances, they decide to start righting some of society’s wrongs, targeting those people selfishly taking advantage of others during the pandemic.

Barrera will play Gloria, a college-educated scam artist who discovered her love for conning people at a young age.

Outside of acting, Barrera serves as a goodwill ambassador for organizations that specialize in humanitarian aid in Nicaragua.

Phillip Garcia to Star in Greg Garcia’s IMDb TV Comedy Series “Sprung”

Posted on April 28, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Phillip Garcia is getting sprung…

IMDb TV, Amazon’s free ad-supported streaming service, has given a formal series green light to Sprung, starring the Latino actor.

The single-camera comedy hails from My Name Is Earl, Raising Hope and The Guest Book creator Greg Garcia, 3 Arts and Amazon Studios.

Sprung, centered on an unlikely group of formerly incarcerated people who band together to use their criminal expertise for good, will also star Garret Dillahunt and Illeana Douglas.

Sprung follows Jack (Dillahunt), a convicted criminal who is determined to change course and reclaim his lost years after serving more than two decades in prison. With no place to live post-release, and a global pandemic bringing the world to a virtual standstill, Jack moves in with his former cellmate Rooster (Phillip Garcia), Rooster’s mom Barb (Douglas), and Jack’s former prison girlfriend Gloria. Bound by their marred past and unusual living circumstances, they decide to start righting some of society’s wrongs, targeting those people selfishly taking advantage of others during the pandemic.

“I couldn’t be more excited to start working with this talented cast and I’m very grateful to 3 Arts, Amazon Studios and IMDb TV for helping me bring this idea to life,” said Garcia. “The support and creative partnership with the folks at IMDb TV has been amazing and working with Garret Dillahunt again is an absolute treat. With any luck we’ll create something entertaining that gives the audience a few laughs and makes their day a little brighter.”

In conjunction with the pickup of Sprung, Garcia’s Emmy-winning NBC series My Name is Earl will join the IMDb TV library on May 1.

“I’m so proud of this show. Greg Garcia is one of the most talented people I know, and I feel so lucky to be working with him again,” said Dillahunt. “The world really needs a good laugh – and we’ve been working hard to that end.”

Phillip Garcia had notable guest starring roles in Criminal Minds, S.W.A.T. and Station 19.

Jesse Garcia to Star in Michael Bay’s Action Feature “Ambulance”

Posted on February 6, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Jesse Garcia is calling 9-1-1…

The 39-year-old Spanish and Mexican American actor has joined the cast of Michael Bay’s Endeavor Content–Universal Pictures action feature Ambulance.

Garcia joins a growing cast that includes Jake Gyllenhaal, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Eiza Gonzalez, Garret Dillahunt, A Martinez, Keir O’Donnell, Moses Ingram, rapper Wale Folarin, Cedric Sanders, Jackson White, Colin Woodell and Olivia Stambouliah.

Ambulance is based on the original Danish film Ambulancen and is in the spirit of such 1990s action films as Speed and Bad Boys. Chris Fedak wrote the original screenplay.

Garcia recently wrapped the new season of Narcos and was attached to the Marvel/Hulu series Ghost Rider before it was stalled. Garcia plays Ranger Freddie Gonzalez in the El Rey Network’s From Dusk Till Dawn. He is also known for the award-winning film Quinceañera, written and directed by Wash Westmoreland and Richard Glatzer, executive produced by Todd Haynes. The film won both the Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival in the Dramatic Independent Feature Competition. Garcia won Best Actor at the 2007 ALMA Awards for his role as Carlos, a troubled gay teenager. In 2012, Garcia played a supporting role in The Avengers, in addition to roles in Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day and Manifest Destiny. His TV work also includes Edward James Olmos’ movie Walkout for HBO, recurring roles on Sons of Anarchy, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles and The Shield.

A Martinez to Star in Michael Bay’s Action Thriller “Ambulance”

Posted on January 23, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

A Martinez is preparing a medical emergency…

The 72-year-old part-Mexican American actor will star in the Michael Bay-directed action thriller Ambulance.

Martinez joins the list of new additions to the cast list that includes Garret Dillahunt, Keir O’Donnell and Moses Ingram.

The four join current cast members Jake Gyllenhaal, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Eiza Gonzalez in a feature that’s based off the original Danish film Ambulancen.

While the plot is being kept under wraps, the film is expected to be in the spirit of such 1990s action films as Speed and Bad Boys.

Chris Fedak wrote the original script.

Universal is distributing the movie with Endeavor Content packaging of the project.

Martinez, who gained acclaim in the soap operas Santa Barbara, General Hospital, One Life to Live, The Bold and the Beautiful and Days of Our Lives, recently appeared in the series-long role of Jacob Nighthorse on Netflix’s Longmire, as well as recurring roles on The Bay and Queen of the South. He has also appeared in films including The Cowboys, She-Devil and Powwow Highway.

AMC Renews Colman Domingo’s Zombie Apocalypse Series “Fear the Walking Dead” for Seventh Season

Posted on December 4, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

There’s more fear in Colman Domingo’s future…

AMC has renewed its zombie apocalypse series Fear the Walking Dead, starring the 51-year-old half-Guatemalan American actor, for a seventh season.

The cable network announced the renewal Thursday on the show’s Twitter account.

The renewal news comes midway through Season 6 of The Walking Dead companion series, which stars Domingo, who portrays Victor Strand, Lennie James, Alycia Debnam-Carey, Danay Garcia, Garret Dillahunt, Maggie Grace, Jenna Elfman, Alexa Nisenson, Austin Amelio, Ruben Blades and Karen David.

Scott M. Gimple executive produces FTWD, along with showrunners Andrew Chambliss and Ian Goldberg, Robert Kirkman, David Alpert, Gale Anne Hurd and Greg Nicotero.

Ortiz to Guest Star on TBS’ “The Guest Book”

Posted on January 15, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

John Ortiz has signed in…

The 48-year-old Puerto Rican actor will guest star on TBS’ The Guest Book, the new 10-episode comedy series from My Name Is Earl’s Greg Garcia.

The Guest Book emerged from Garcia’s habit of writing fictitious stories in the guest books of various rental cabins in an effort to freak out the next renters. Now he is bringing some of those stories to life on screen centering on the vacation home Froggy Cottage and its visitors. While the house and cast of characters living in this small mountain town remain the same, each episode will feature a different set of vacationing guests.

The anthology-style show, written by Garcia and executive produced by him and Alix Jaffe, will premiere in August.

It will star Kellie Martin (Army Wives), Charlie Robinson (Hart of Dixie), Aloma Wright (Suits), Carly Jibson (Broadway’s Hairspray), Lou Wilson (Tween Fest), Garret Dillahunt (The Mindy Project), Laura Bell Bundy (Scream Queens) and Eddie Steeples (My Name Is Earl).

Martin will play Officer Kimberly Leahy, who serves on the police force in the small mountain town of Mount Trace. Robinson is Wilfrid, an easygoing, friendly gentleman who manages a group of mountain rental cottages with his wife, Emma, played by recurring guest star Wright. Jibson is Vivian, a tough, strong-willed woman who runs a bikini bar called Chubbys with her stepson Frank, played by Wilson.

In addition to Ortiz, other guest stars include Danny Pudi (Community), Jenna Fischer (The Office), Tommy Dewey (The Mindy Project), Lauren Lapkus (Orange Is the new Black), Michaela Watkins (Casual), Mary Lynn Rajskub (24), Michael Rapaport (Sully), Kate Micucci (Raising Hope), Jaime Pressly (My Name Is Earl), Stockard Channing (The Good Wife), Andrew J. West (The Walking Dead), David Zayas (Gotham), Shannon Woodward (Westworld), Margo Martindale (The Good Wife) and Stephnie Weir (The Comedians).

Cannavale Receives Critics’ Choice Television Award Nomination

Posted on June 5, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

He clowned around with the cast of ABC’s Modern Family earlier this year to big laughs… And, now Bobby Cannavele could be reaping a big reward for his memorable appearance.

The 42-year-old half-Cuban American actor, who won a Primetime Emmy Award in 2005 for his guest-starring role on NBC’s Will and Grace, has received a Critics’ Choice Television Awards nomination for playing Cameron’s “estranged ex-clown partner” on ABC’s hit sitcom.

In the episode entitled “Send Out the Clowns,” which aired in mid-March, Cannavele’s character Lewis was part of a reunion that took place at the funeral for Cameron’s clown mentor.

Cannavele will now compete against Girls’ Becky Ann Baker, Parks and Rectration’s Kathryn Hahn, The New Girl’s Justin Long, Parks and Recreation’ Paul Rudd and Girls’ Peter Scolari in the Best Guest Performer in a Comedy Series category.

Meanwhile, Louis C.K. received a nod in the Best Actor in a Comedy Series category for his starring role in FX’s Louie. The 44-year-old half-Mexican American comedian/actor, who will form part of the ensemble in Woody Allen’s next film, will face off against House of Lies’ Don Cheadle, Curb Your Enthusiasm’s Larry David, Raising Hope’s Garret Dillahunt, Community’s  Joel McHale and The Big Bang Theory’s  Jim Parsons.

NBC led all the broadcast networks with 14 nods, followed by ABC with 13 nominations. Fox and HBO had 12 nods.

The Critics’ Choice Television Award winners will be announced on June 18.

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