Jorge Garcia to Star Opposite Sebastian Maniscalco in HBO Max’s Comedy Series “How To Be A Bookie”

Jorge Garcia is bookie-ing it…

The 49-year-old Chilean and Cuban American actor and comedian will star opposite Sebastian Maniscalco in HBO Max’s original comedy series How To Be A Bookie, from Chuck Lorre and Warner Bros. Television.

Jorge GarciaGarcia, who rose to acclaim on ABC’s Lost, is among a list of new cast additions that includes Omar J. DorseyAndrea Anders and Vanessa Ferlito.

Co-written by Lorre and Nick Bakay, in How To Be A Bookie, veteran bookie Danny (Maniscalco) struggles to survive the impending legalization of sports gambling, increasingly unstable clients, family, co-workers, and a lifestyle that bounces him around every corner of Los Angeles, high and low.

Garcia will portray Hector. A weed dealer whose business cratered when pot became legal, Hector is a cautionary tale for Danny and Ray as they watch sports betting go legit, state by state.  Now reduced to driving for Lyft and none too pleased about it, Hector makes himself an invaluable, if occasionally volatile asset to the operation.

Lorre and Bakay will serve as executive producers along with Maniscalco and Judi Marmel. Warner Bros. Television, where Lorre and his Chuck Lorre Productions are under an overall deal, is the studio.

Garcia is known for his roles as Jerry Ortega on Hawaii Five-O and as Hugo ‘Hurley’ Reyes on Lost. On the big screen he can currently be seen in The Munsters directed by Rob Zombie.

NCIS Star Wilmer Valderrama to Appear on NCIS: Hawaii as Part of Special Crossover Event

Wilmer Valderrama is Hawaii bound…

The 41-year-old Colombian/Venezuelan American actor and his NCIS co-star Katrina Law will be visiting Vanessa Lachey and the rest of the NCIS: Hawai’i cast as part of a crossover special event airing via CBS on March 28.

Wilmer Valderrama“I am headed off to Hawaii to shoot a crossover event,” Valderrama says in an Instagram video released on Monday. Added Law, “I’ve also got something to tell you: I’m coming to Hawaii, too.”

Details regarding what fans can expect from the special that’ll see agents Nicholas Torres (Valderrama) and Jessica Knight (Law) come face to face with Lachey’s Jane Tennant are being kept under wraps by CBS. Whatever the plans, viewers can certainly expect an action-packed episode, according to Law.

“It’s going to be good being back on the island solving crimes,” she said mischievously.

The actress formerly starred in the CBS drama Hawaii Five-O as Quinn Liu during the show’s 10th season.

Both NCIS and NCIS: Hawai’i return with new episodes tonight, at 9:00 pm and 10 pm, respectively.

Eva De Dominici to Appear Opposite Adan Canto in Fox’s “The Cleaning Lady” Series

Eva De Dominici is cleaning up…

The 26-year-old Argentine model and actress has landed a heavily recurring role opposite Adan Canto on The Cleaning LadyFox’s adaptation of the Argentinean drama starring Elodie Yung.

Eva De DominiciThe project hails from The 100 writer Miranda KwokStargirl EP Melissa Carter, who is showrunner, Shay Mitchell’s Amore & Vita Productions, Warner Bros. Television and Fox Entertainment.

Written by Kwok, The Cleaning Lady stars Yung as Thony, a whip-smart doctor who comes to the U.S. for a medical treatment to save her ailing son. But when the system fails and pushes her into hiding, she refuses to be beaten down and marginalized. Instead, she becomes a cleaning lady for the mob and starts playing the game by her own rules.

De Dominici will play Arman’s (Canto) wife, Nadia Morales, gorgeous and sultry, she manages the exclusive cigar club La Habana with her husband. But she’s not just a pretty face, she’s the Lady Macbeth in their relationship, encouraging and sometimes pushing Arman to ask for what he deserves within the crime syndicate. Nadia is comfortable using both her beauty and her brains to help Arman close important deals in Vegas.

Martha Millan also stars alongside newcomers Sebastien LaSalle and Valentino LaSalle, who share the role of Thony’s son Luca. Shiva Negar and Jay Mohr recur.

Homeland director Michael Offer directs and executive produced the pilot.

De Dominici’s previous credits include features You Shall Not Sleep and Tiger, Blood in the Mouth, and a guest-starring role in Hawaii Five-O.

Manuel Uriza to Appear on Netflix’s Dramedy “Gentefied”

Manuel Uriza is getting gentefied

The Latino actor has landed a recurring role on Netflix’s dramedy Gentefied.

Manuel Uriza

Uriza joins a list of new recurring cast additions that includes Clarissa Thibeaux, Ivana Rojas and Melinna Bobadilla.

The series hails from Marvin Lemus and Linda Yvette Chávez, the duo behind the Sundance Film Festival darling Gente-fied: The Digital Series, and Macro.

Created by Chicano first-gen writers Lemus and Chávez, Gentefied is a half-hour dramatic comedy adapted from the 2017 Sundance digital series of the same name. Described as a badass bilingual series about family, community, brown love, and the displacement that disrupts it all, Gentefied follows three Mexican-American cousins who struggle to chase the American Dream, even while that same dream threatens the things they hold most dear: their neighborhood, their immigrant grandfather, and the family taco shop. Set in a rapidly changing Los Angeles, the dramedy navigates important themes like identity, class, and balancing insta-fame with translating memes for their parents.

Karrie Martin, JJ Soria, Carlos Santos and Joaquín Cosio star.

Uriza will play Ernesto Morales, Pop’s estranged, oldest son. By any measure, the personification of the American Dream, Pop has never forgiven him for moving his family from East LA to the calmer suburbs of Boise, Idaho. Unlike the rest of the family, Ernesto is the only one who can stand up to Pop, as their relationship reaches a boiling point.

Rojas will portray Sarai Damian. An up-and coming Chef, Sarai is career-focused, hella ambitious, and a truth-teller. She knows what she wants and she isn’t willing to compromise her dream for anyone. We meet her as she is about to be catapulted into her biggest career high, but it comes with a big price to pay.

Bobadilla will play Melinna Barragan, a fierce non-profit lawyer, she’s down for her community, even if it means working pro-bono. If your prima with the big hoops who always got into fights got her law degree at ELAC – that would be Melinna. Passionate and fierce, she treats her clients like family.

Uriza’s credits include Magnum P.I., Hawaii Five-O, Rambo: Last Blood, The Last Ship and Snowfall.

Anthony Ruivivar to Star on Disney+’s Television Series Reboot of Tom Hanks’ “Turner & Hooch”

Anthony Ruivivar is about to Turner up on Disney+

The 49-year-old part-Spanish American actor has been cast as a series regular on Turner & Hooch, Disney+’s reboot of the classic 1989 buddy-cop comedy feature.

Anthony Ruivivar

The television series, which has a 12-episode order, hails from Matt Nix and 20th Century Television.

Ruivivar joins the previously cast Josh Peck, Lyndsy Fonseca, Carra Patterson and Vanessa Lengies.

Other new additions to the cast include Brandon Jay McLaren and Jeremy Maguire as series regulars, and Becca Tobin as a recurring actor.

Like the movie, the hourlong series centers on Scott Turner (Peck), who now is a U.S. marshal — versus the police detective played by Tom Hanks in the film. When the ambitious, buttoned-up marshal inherits a big unruly dog, he soon realizes the pet he didn’t want may be the partner he needs.

Ruivivar will play US Marshall Chief James Clark, Scott Turner’s boss. Chief Clark respects Scott, but is very uncomfortable around Scott’s new dog, the slobbery Hooch, who is actually quite fond of the Chief. However, when Hooch helps solve a case, Chief Clark has a change of heart and bends the rules to allow him to receive K-9 training.

Nix is the Turner & Hooch series writer/executive producer. Josh Levy is co-executive producer. 20th Century Fox Television, part of Disney Television Studios, is the studio.

Ruivivar can most recently be seen in a recurring role on Netflix’s The Haunting of Hill House. Other credits include Frequency, American Horror Story and Hawaii Five-O and the features The Adjustment Bureau, Tropic Thunder and High Art among others.

Lin Manuel Miranda Challenges TV Industry to Create All-Inclusive Environment in New #SeeAll PSA

Lin Manuel Miranda is stressing the importance of diversity on the small screen…

During Sunday night’s Primetime Emmy Awards, a powerful PSA that challenges the television industry to do more to create an all-inclusive environment will air, featuring the 40-year-old Puerto Rican composer, lyricist, actor, singer, rapper, producer, and playwright.

See All,

Miranda, who created the Tony Award-winning musical Hamilton, appears alongside Billy Porter, Isis King, Daniel Dae Kim, Jamie Chung and others, in the 60-second PSA, titled “See All.”

The PSA, created by the Alliance for Inclusive and Multicultural Marketing (AIMM), a division of the New York-based Association of National Advertisers, features the actors alternating lines of the script, which opens with the appeal, “We appreciate the dialogue. We see the effort from Hollywood. But we need more.”

In the spot’s midsection, the voices raise important questions. “Do you see me in this industry? You act as if bias doesn’t exist. Would you rather breathe life into stereotypes or stand up against them? Because what I know of my culture isn’t who you portray me to be.”

The comments become more pointed as the spot progresses. “We are more than a splash of color on your white canvas. We’re not your quota. We are quotable. So show me — me. Not your me. Me.”

A social movement to #SEEALL will follow.

The actors epitomize the success in recent years of more diverse performers. Miranda, who has Puerto Rican roots, is just an Oscar away from becoming an EGOT. Porter, the star of Poseand Kinky Boots, is among today’s most high-profile LGBTQ performers. King, the first trans woman to compete on America’s Next Top Model, is one of the most visible transgender people on television. Kim, who was born in South Korea, has appeared in Lost, Hawaii Five-O and Angel. Chung, a second-generation Korean-American, has appeared in the films The Hangover Part IISucker Punch and Big Hero 6.

AIMM describes itself as “a coalition of entities from the entire marketing ecosystem, representing the Hispanic, African-American, Asian, and LGBTQ+ markets. AIMM members are focused on re-prioritizing multicultural and inclusive marketing to help companies maximize their growth potential. AIMM has been the catalyst for unprecedented industry research examining multicultural marketing opportunities and the obstacles that stand in the way of optimal growth.”

Eddie Martinez to Star in Season Three of USA Network’s Anthology Crime Thriller Series “The Sinner”

Eddie Martinez has landed a new project…

The 38-year-old Colombian actor has been cast as one of the leads on the upcoming third season of USA Network’s anthology crime thriller series The Sinner.

Eddie Martinez

Martinez will star opposite Jessica HechtParisa Fitz-Henley, Bill PullmanMatt Bomerand Chris Messina.

Season 3 follows Detective Harry Ambrose (Pullman) as he begins a routine investigation of a tragic car accident on the outskirts of Dorchester, in upstate New York. He uncovers a hidden crime that pulls him into the most dangerous and disturbing case of his career.

Martinez will play Vic Soto, a hardworking former Marine and rising star detective at the Dorchester Police Department who works with Ambrose.

Adam Bernsteinis set to direct the first two episodes and also will executive produce. 

Martinez had recent guest appearances on Orange Is the New BlackNarcos: Mexico and Hawaii Five-O. He’ll next be seen on the big screen in the upcoming Kill Chainand the 2019 Sundance Film Festival award-winning film The Infiltrators, which was also the opening-night film at the 2019 Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival

ABC Picks Up Nicholas Gonzalez’s Medical Drama “The Good Doctor” to Series

Life is Good for Nicholas Gonzalez

ABC has picked up the Sony Television pilot The Good Doctor, starring the 41-year-old Mexican American actor, to series.

Nicholas Gonzalez

The medical drama, which hails from House creator David Shore, who wrote and executive produces, stars Freddie Highmore.

The Good Doctor centers on Shaun Murphy (Highmore), a young surgeon with autism and savant syndrome who relocates from a quiet country life to join a prestigious hospital’s surgical unit. Alone in the world and unable to personally connect with those around him, Shaun uses his extraordinary medical gifts to save lives and challenge the skepticism of his colleagues.

In addition to Highmore and Gonzalez, who portrays Dr. Neal Melendez, the series also stars Antonia Thomas as Dr. Claire Brown, Chuku Modu as Dr. Jared Kalu, Irene Keng as Dr. Sarah Chen, Beau Garrett as Jessica Preston, Hill Harper as Dr. Marcus Andrews and Richard Schiff as Dr. Aaron Glassman

Hawaii Five-O’s Daniel Dae Kim is executive producing the series, based on a South Korean format.

Gonzalez to Star in ABC’s Medical Drama Pilot “The Good Doctor”

Nicholas Gonzalez is scrubbing in…

The 41-year-old Mexican American actor has been cast in The Good Doctor, ABC’s medical drama pilot from House creator David Shore and Hawaii Five-0 co-star Daniel Dae Kim.

Nicholas Gonzalez

Written by Shore based on a South Korean format and directed by Seth Gordon, The Good Doctor centers on Dr. Shaun Murphy (Freddie Highmore), a young surgeon with Savant syndrome who is recruited into the pediatric surgical unit of a prestigious hospital.

Gonzalez, who was introduced in the final minutes of ABC’s How To Get Away With Murder season finale as a key character to the drama’s mystery, will play Dr. Neil Melendez, the boss of the surgical residents at the hospital.

Gonzalez is expected to return to HTGAWM next season as a recurring guest star, reprising his role as Dominick.

He previously recurred on another Shondaland drama series for ABC, Off the Map. Gonzalez will also appear in season 3 of Narcos on Netflix.

Orci Signs with ICM Partners

Roberto Orci has a new Partner in crime…

The 43-year-old Mexican film and television writer, producer and director has signed with talent and literary agency ICM Partners.

Roberto Orci

Orci’s writing and producing credits include some of Hollywood’s biggest blockbusters, including credits two Transformers and Star Trek films and Mission: Impossible III.

Orci, longtime partner of Alex Kurtzman, is also an Emmy-winning television writer-producer, who co-created Fox’s Fringe and Sleepy Hollow. He has also been a writer-producer on Alias and Hawaii Five-O, among other shows.

Orci had previously been at Creative Artists Agency, and he continues to be lawyered by Michael Gendler.