“Gentefied” Star Karrie Martin Lachney Signs with Paradigm

Karrie Martin Lachney is shifting her paradigm

The 32-year-old Honduran-American actress and producer has signed with Paradigm for representation in all areas.

Karrie Martin LachneyLachney rose to acclaim with her portrayal of Ana Morales on the Netflix dramedy series Gentefied, created by Linda Yvette Chávez and Marvin Lemus. The series followed a multigenerational, Mexican American family living and loving in Los Angeles, co-starring Joaquin Cosio, J.J. Soria, and Carlos Santos. It ran for two seasons before being canceled in January.

Lachney’s portrayal of Ana represented experiences that mirror that of many second-generation Latinos whose parents sacrificed everything in search of the American dream— a point of view rarely shown on television.

Ana had to prioritize her familial responsibilities while still a young woman herself over her own dreams and desires. She was challenged at every corner with having to choose between an upcoming art show opportunity, spending time with her girlfriend, and being a support to her mother at home while the matriarch worked long hours to support the family. And she had to do it all with a smile knowing that a few moments of freedom to follow her heart was more than what her mother was allowed.

Up next for Lachney is the release of the Disney+ animated series, The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder, premiering on February 23.

On the film front, she’ll topline writer-director Jigeesh Magar’s Nexus Dream opposite Daniela Azuaje, Alejandro Patiño, and James Ken Blackmon, among others.

Lachney stars as Alejandra Chavez, a young woman of immigrant parents with a gifted intellect and a promising future, which, rare enough in her neighborhood, has to be put on hold. Devotion and loyalty to the family will always come first, and hers is desperately needing help through hard times, even as she grapples with a secret tragedy from her past.

She is also developing the bestselling book series That Boy from author Jillian Dodd as a series with producer Teri Weinberg. The two have acquired the film and television rights to the book via Lachney’s production company, Southern Ave. Productions and Weinberg’s Yellow Brick Road. Lachney and Weinberg will executive produce.

Netflix Releases Trailer for Season Two of J.J. Soria’s “Gentefied”

J.J. Soria has the fighting spirit…

The first trailer has been released for the second season of Netflix’s Gentefied, starring the 35-year-old Mexican American actor.

JJ Soria

In the new clip, the Morales cousins (Soria, Karrie Martin Lachney and Carlos Santos) are dealing with drama galore as they fight to keep their grandfather Pops (Joaquín Cosío) from being deported back to Mexico.

The series, from creators Marvin Lemus and Linda Yvette Chávez, follows East Los Angeles Latinos on their respective and collective search for the American Dream.

Season 2—premiering on November 10— picks up after the emotional debut season’s finale that saw Erik Morales (Soria) and his girlfriend Lidia (Annie Gonzalez) welcome their daughter, Delfina. Amid all the happiness, Erik realizes his grandfather Pops (Cosio) is missing from the hospital celebration because he’s been arrested on an outstanding warrant and his beloved pick-up truck is being impounded.

Pops is now free and staging a fight to stay in the United States armed with the help of his social media fans and his attorney Melinna Barragan (Melinna Bobadilla). But will that be enough?

As the trailer reveals, he is also reunited with his companion Lupe (Alma Martinez) who is still waiting for his dead wife’s approval so they can take their relationship to the next level.

Speaking of love, there’s a budding relationship ahead for Chris Morales (Santos), the chef of the family whose talents could take him well beyond the neighborhood. Sparks fly when he meets Sarai (Ivana Rojas), a strong Latina with big dreams who is running her own food truck.

His cousin Ana Morales (Martin) continues to mend a broken heart after her split from Yessika (Julissa Calderon) whose icy demeanor pushes Ana into the arms of someone new.

 

Gentefied is executive produced by Lemus, Chávez, Charles D. King, Marta Fernandez of MACRO, America Ferrera of Take Fountain, Aaliyah Williams, Kim Roth, and Teri Weinberg of Yellow Brick Road.

Christina Milian Joins Cast of Sony Crackle’s Drama Series “The Oath”

Christina Milian is taking The Oath

The 36-year-old Cuban-American singer, songwriter and actresshas been cast as a series regular on the sophomore season of The Oath, Sony Crackle’s gritty drama from executive producer Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson.

Christina Milian

Zulay Henao will recur during Season 2, which has begun production in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Created by Joe Halpin, The Oathexplores a world of gangs made up of those sworn to protect and defend and sheds light on corrupt and secret societies that are nearly impossible to join. Only a select few make the cut — but once inside, members will do what they must to protect each other from enemies on the outside and from within their own ranks.

Season 2, which was ordered in April, finds the Ravens trying to free themselves from their debt to the cartel. The season will examine themes of family and redemption, giving the characters a chance to reclaim their lives as their own, pushing them to find a new path and attempting to conquer their inner demons – all while trying to protect their own lives in the process.

Milian will play Christine Parks, a second-generation Raven — her father was one of the gang’s founders — and partner of Kraley (Andrew Howard). She grew up admiring her dad and wants to follow in his footsteps.

Milian’s previous credits include Grandfathered and East Los High.

Henao will recur as Carmen Velasquez, the older sister of Ricardo and daughter of Ignacio who, after living most of her life surrounded by violence, is trying to move the family toward a legitimate business.

Henao was a regular on OWN’s Tyler Perrydrama If Loving You Is Wrong.

Cast members also returning for Season 2 include Howard, Law, Ryan Kwanten— who’s also a producer — Cory Hardict, J.J. Soria, Elisabeth Röhm, Michael Malarkey, Isaac Keys, Kim Delaney, LaToya Tonodeo and Braulio Castillo.

J.J. Soria to Star in Crackle’s Drama Series “The Oath”

J.J. Soria is taking a special oath…

The 30-year-old Mexican American actor has landed a key role opposite Ryan Kwanten and Sean Bean in Crackle’s upcoming drama series The Oath, executive produced by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson and his G-Unit Film & Television.

J.J. Soria

Written and created by former Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Joe Halpin (Hawaii Five-0, Secrets & Lies), the 10-episode original series explores a world of gangs made up of those sworn to protect and defend and sheds light on corrupt and secret societies. They are nearly impossible to join — only a select few make the cut – but once inside, members will do what they must to protect one another from enemies on the outside and from within their own ranks.

Soria will play Officer Pete Ramos, partner and friend of Officer Steve Hammond (Kwanten), and second-in-command of the Ravens cop gang. Ramos is streetwise with a nervous energy and a family man who is driven by the need to prove himself worthy of his wife, who comes from wealth and privilege.

In addition to Kwanten and Bean, Soria joins previously announced cast members Cory Hardrict, Katrina Law and Arlen Escarpeta.

The premiere episode will be directed by Jeff T. Thomas.

Soria has a recurring role on TNT’s Animal Kingdom and Freeform’s The Fosters. His film credits include a starring role in Blumhouse/Universal’s The Purge: Election Year.

Soria to Appear in Recurring Role on USA Network’s Drama “Complications”

There are a few complications in Joseph Julian (J.J.) Soria’s future…

The 28-year-old Latino actor, best known for his role as Private First Class Hector Cruz on the Lifetime series Army Wives, has landed a recurring role on the USA Network’s Complications.

Joseph Julian (J.J.) Soria

From Burn Notice creator Matt Nix and Fox Television Studios, the drama series centers on John Ellison (portrayed by Jason O’Mara), a disillusioned suburban ER doctor who finds his existence transformed when he intervenes in a drive-by shooting, saving a young boy’s life and killing one of his attackers.

Soria will play Alvarez, a Superior Lieutenant of the Nortenos Locos and a man you simply don’t mess with.

His previous television credits include The Shield, CSI: Miami, Dexter, Sons of Anarchy, Bones and The Closer.