Enrique Murciano to Star in Netflix’s “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story”

Posted on February 9, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Enrique Murciano is preparing for a monster of a role…

The 50-year-old Cuban American actor has joined the cast of Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, the second installment of Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan’s true-crime anthology series for Netflix.

The first of two trials, broadcast on Court TV, had the nation in its grip, much like the 1994 trial of O.J. Simpson, and is believed to have played a part in the modern-day fascination with true crime. The prosecution argued that the pair were in fact seeking to inherit their father’s multimillion-dollar estate, and the Menendez brothers were convicted in 1996 and sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

Murciano, best known for his work on Without a Trace, is part of a roster of new cast additions that includes Dallas Roberts, Jason Butler Harner and 10 others.

Murciano is Carlos Baralt, an Americanized Cuban immigrant, professor and lawyer, uncle to the Menendez Brothers and brother-in-law to Jose Menendez, and the executor of the Menendez will.

Other cast members include Michael Gladis, who plays Tim Rutten; Drew Powell as Det. Tom Linehan; Charlie Hall is Craig Cignarelli; Gil Ozeri plays Dr. William Vicary; Jeff Perry portrays Peter Hoffman; Tessa Auberjonois is Dr. Laurel Oziel; Tanner Stine plays Perry Berman; Larry Clarke portrays Brian Andersen; Jade Pettyjohn is Jamie Pisarcik and Marlene Forte portrays Marta Cano.

They join previously announced cast Javier Bardem as Jose Menendez, Chloë Sevigny as Kitty Menendez, Nicholas Alexander Chavez as Lyle Menendez, Cooper Koch as Erik Menendez, Nathan Lane as Dominick Dunne, Ari Graynor as Leslie Abramson, and Leslie Grossman as Judalon Smyth.

Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story will debut in 2024.

Murphy and Brennan executive produce with Alexis Martin Woodall, Eric Kovtun, David McMillan, Louise Shore and Carl Franklin.

The first installment of the anthology, Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, starred Evan Peters as the notorious serial killer. It debuted in September 2022 and became one of Netflix’s most popular English-language series ever, leading to Netflix’s green light of two follow-up installments, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story being the first.

Javier Bardem to Star in Netflix’s “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story”

Posted on January 15, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Javier Bardem has landed a monster(s) role…

The 54-year-old Spanish Oscar-winning actor will star in Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, the second season of the acclaimed Netflix crime anthology Monster from creators Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan.

Bardem will star alongside Chloë Sevigny, Nicholas Chavez and Cooper Koch in the series.

Bardem abd Sevigny will respectively play Jose and Kitty Menendez, the Beverly Hills couple murdered by sons Lyle (Chavez) and Erik (Koch).

The new season comes on the heels of Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, which starred Evan Peters as the notorious serial killer and quickly became one of Netflix’s most popular English-language series ever when it debuted in September 2022.

It was in 1989 that Lyle and Erik Menendez murdered parents Jose and Kitty in their L.A.-area home. Although not initially looked at as prime suspects, they came under investigation in the months following and eventually confessed to parricide, at the same time claiming that their actions stemmed from years of physical, emotional and sexual abuse at the hands of their father. Their first of two trials, broadcast on Court TV, had the nation in its grip, much like the 1994 trial of O.J. Simpson, and is believed to have played a part in the modern-day fascination with true crime.

The prosecution argued that the pair were in fact seeking to inherit their father’s multimillion-dollar estate, and the Menendez brothers were convicted in 1996 and sentenced to life imprisonment, without the possibility of parole, though the case continues to unfold to this day. Last summer, Erik and Lyle filed documents in hopes of a new hearing, following former Menudo bandmember Roy Rosselló’s claim that he was molested by José Menendez at the age of 14.

Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story is one of two forthcoming seasons of the Monster anthology announced as of November 2022. The story at the center of the third chapter has not yet been revealed. In addition to the scripted series on the Menendez brothers, Netflix has a feature doc on the duo in the works, brought to life with exclusive access to the subjects.

Most recently portraying King Triton in Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Bardem will next be seen in Dune: Part Two, out March 1 following a strike-imposed delay, and Apple’s Formula 1 racing movie with Brad Pitt.

Bobby Cannavale to Star Opposite Naomi Watts in Netflix’s Limited Series “The Watcher”

Posted on June 15, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Bobby Cannavale is on watch(er)…

The 51-year-old half-Cuban American actor will star opposite Naomi Watts and Bobby Cannavale in The Watcher, a Netflix limited series from Ryan Murphy and his frequent collaborator Ian Brennan.

The Watcher reportedly follows a married couple (Watts, Cannavale) whose move into their dream home is being threatened by terrifying letters from a stalker, signed “The Watcher.”

This marks a reunion for Watts and Cannavale, who star together in the upcoming movie Once Upon a Time in Staten Island.

Filming is set to begin in the fall.

The series, which evokes the first season of Murphy’s hit American Horror Story, is inspired by the infamous “Watcher” house in New Jersey.

A couple bought the 1905 Dutch colonial revival in 2014 for nearly $1.4 million. They were forced to abandon their new home over chilling letters from “The Watcher,” who claimed to have been “watching” the house for decades. “I am the Watcher. Bring me your young blood,” one of the notes read.

The family put the house back on the market. It didn’t sell, and they rented it out. In 2017, the renter also received a sinister letter from “The Watcher,” too, threatening their life. The house ultimately sold in 2019 for $959,000. The identity of “The Watcher” remains a mystery.

In December 2018, after a ferocious bidding battle that involved six studios, Netflix landed The Watcher rights package that included an article by Reeves Wiedeman published on New York magazine’s website, The Cut, and the rights of the beleaguered homeowners. The seven-figure rights deal originally was for a feature with Joost and Schulman attached to direct.

Two-time Emmy winner Cannavale co-stars in the Netflix comedy movie Thunder Force. He next will be seen in the films Jolt, Seriously Red, Blonde and Lapham Rising and the upcoming Hulu limited series Nine Perfect Strangers.

Carpenter to Portray Ariana Grande’s Mom on Fox’s “Scream Queens”

Posted on June 25, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Prepare to hear Charisma Carpenter scream…

The 44-year-old part Spanish-American actress and former Buffy The Vampire Slayer star has joined the cast of Ryan Murphy’s comedy-horror Fox anthology series Scream Queens.

The show’s star, Emma Roberts, let it slip on Instagram that the comedy will premiere on the first Tuesday of the season, September 22.

In a guest starring/potential recurring role, Carpenter will play the mom of another lead on the show, singer-actress Ariana Grande.

In the first season of Scream Queens, a college campus is rocked by a series of murders. The series, which Murphy created with fellow Glee co-creators Brad Falchuk and Ian Brennan, hails from 20th Century Television and Ryan Murphy Television.

Lea Michele, Diego Boneta, Jamie Lee Curtis, Oliver Hudson and Abigail Breslin co-star.

Carpenter, who also co-starred on The Lying Game, previously appeared on Angel, Charmed, Veronica Mars and Blue Bloods, and served as the host of ID’s Surviving Evil.

Boneta to Star in Fox’s Comedy-Horror Series “Scream Queens”

Posted on February 26, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Diego Boneta is a scream king…

The Mexican actor-singer has been cast as one of the male leads in Scream Queens, Fox’s comedy-horror series created by Glee creators Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Ian Brennan.

The project revolves around a college campus that’s rocked by a series of murders.

Boneta is reportedly set to portray a bookish but handsome guy in the first installment of the anthology series slated for fall.

Boneta, who starred in the film adaptation of the Broadway musical Rock of Ages, joins an ensemble cast that includes Lea Michele, Jamie Lee Curtis, Emma Roberts, Skyler Samuels, Nick Jonas, Keke Palmer, Joe Manganiello, Ariana Grande and Abigail Breslin.

Boneta will next be seen in CBS miniseries The Dovekeepers, produced by Mark Burnett and Roma Downey, and the Imagine feature Pelé.

Michele to Star in Fox’s Anthology Series “Scream Queens”

Posted on January 17, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Life is but a scream for Lea Michele…

The 28-year-old part-Spanish actress/singer has landed a role in Scream Queens, the follow-up Fox series from Glee creators Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Ian Brennan.

The first installment in the new anthology series revolves around a college campus, which is rocked by a series of murders. Fifteen one-hour episodes have been ordered.

Production is scheduled to begin in the spring, with the series premiering in fall 2015 on Fox.

Also joining the cast are Joe Manganiello (True Blood), Abigail Breslin (Little Miss Sunshine) and Keke Palmer (Akeela and the Bee). Additionally, Ariana Grande will have a recurring role.

Jamie Lee Curtis and Emma Roberts were previously cast in starring roles.

Garcia to Star in the Zombie-Themed Horror Comedy “Cooties”

Posted on July 13, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

It appears Jorge Garcia has a serious case of the cooties…

The 40-year-old half-Cuban/half-Chilean American actor has signed on to star in the prepubescent horror comedy Cooties.

Garcia, who last starred in Fox’s short-lived drama Alcatraz, will portray a teacher in the film, which follows a zombie-like epidemic that originates from an infected chicken nugget and turns elementary school students into rampaging savages.

Written by Insidious’ Leigh Whannell and Glee co-creator Ian Brennan, the film also stars Elijah Wood, Alison Pill, Rainn Wilson, Jack McBrayer and Nasim Pedrad.

Filming is expected to begin on July 15 in LA with Jonathan Milott and Cary Murnion directing.

Garcia, who rose to acclaim on ABC’s Lost, most recently guest-starred on the fairy tale drama Once Upon a Time.

Jenner’s “Glee” Renewed for Two More Seasons

Posted on April 19, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Blake Jenner has plenty of reason to be gleeful…

The 20-year-old half-Cuban American actor and The Glee Project winner may not have to look for a new gig for awhile.

Fox has picked up its hit musical dramedy Glee, which features Jenner as Ryder Lynn, for two more seasons.

The negotiations for the series’ two-year renewal, for seasons five and six, took longer than normal because the network begins footing the bill after season four.

“Glee debuted as the first and only successful musical comedy series on television, and more than four years later, it continues to defy genres, break new ground and have a significant impact on popular culture,” said Fox chairman Kevin Reilly.

Glee, which was created by Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Ian Brennan, has an off-network syndication deal with Oxygen, which makes a longer run attractive.

Despite a drop in its ratings, Glee still manages to perform respectably, especially when DVR viewing is factored in.

The dramedy is averaging 8.7 million total viewers this season. Glee, which marked its 500th performance recently, has spawned more than 53 million tracks digitally downloaded and more than 13 million albums sold worldwide.

No word yet on whether Jenner’s character will continue to appear on the show in upcoming seasons. Other Latino stars of the should who could be back for seasons five and six include Lea Michele, Naya Rivera and Sam Larsen.

Diaz: A One Hit Wonder?

Posted on February 29, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

She may be one of Hollywood’s most bankable leading ladies… But Cameron Diaz could soon find herself labeled a “one hit wonder.”

The 39-year-old part Cuban American actress is attached to star in One Hit Wonders alongside Gwyneth Paltrow, Reese Witherspoon, Beyonce and Andy Samberg.

The musical comedy, a collaboration between Sony Pictures and Glee creator Ryan Murphy, will feature Diaz, Paltrow and Witherspoon as singers who each scored a top hit song in the 1990s before watching their careers go down the drain. In their quest to return to pop chart prominence, the ladies decide to join forces to form a super group.

In a seven-figure preemptive deal, Murphy is attached to direct, as well as write the script with his Glee cohorts Brad Falchuk and Ian Brennan. Murphy will produce with Paltrow.

The project reportedly came out of a dinner Murphy had with Paltrow, Diaz and Witherspoon. They discussed doing a fun project together and toyed around with several ideas until they settled on One Hit Wonders.

While nothing is concrete yet, Sony Pictures and Murphy are working on overdrive to hammer out the deals with all attached to secure project.

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