Oliver De Los Santos to Star in Peacock’s “Punky Brewster” Pilot

Oliver De Los Santos is punking out…

The Latino actor has been cast as a series regular opposite Quinn CopelandLauren DonzisNoah Cottrell and Soleil Moon Frye, in Peacock‘s Punky Brewster reboot pilot from UCP and Universal Television.

Oliver De Los Santos

In the multicamera/hybrid continuation of the iconic 80s sitcom about a bright young girl raised by a foster dad, Punky (Frye) is now a single mother of three trying to get her life back on track when she meets Izzy (Copeland), a young girl who reminds her a lot of her younger self.

Copeland’s Izzy is a street-smart, headstrong and adorable Punky-like girl for a new generation. Recently abandoned by her mother, Izzy tries to hide her vulnerability, but finds a kindred spirit in Punky (Frye). Donzis will play Hannah, Punky’s fashion-forward teenage daughter, who often feels like she’s the parent and Punky’s the kid. De Los Santos as Daniel and Cottrell as Diego will play Punky’s adopted sons, who are 10 and 12 years old, respectively. Even though they are brothers, they are complete opposites except when it comes to annoying their older sister, Hannah (Donzis).

In addition to Frye, they join previously announced cast Freddie Prinze Jr. and Cherie Johnson, reprising her role from the original series.

Produced by UCP and Universal Television, Punky Brewster is written and executive produced by Steveand Jim Armogida. Frye will also serve as executive producer. Jonathan Judge is directing and executive producing the pilot.

The original series, created by David W. Duclon, ran for four seasons from 1984-1988, two on NBC and two in syndication.De Los Santos is set to star in the feature film Occupation: Rainfall and will play the lead role in the upcoming feature film Home PlateHe also stars in the web series Junior Executive.

Ortega to Topline the Disney Channel’s Family Comedy Pilot “Stuck in the Middle”

Jenna Ortega is finding herself stuck in the middle

The Disney Channel has greenlighted the family comedy pilot Stuck in the Middle starring the young Latina actress, who plays young Jane on the CW’s Jane the Virgin.

Jenna Ortega

It’s all part of the cable network’s plan to groom Ortega to be its next series star.

Written by Alison Brown and Linda Videtti Figueiredo and directed by Jonathan Judge, Stuck in the Middle centers on 12-year-old Harley (Ortega), the ultimate middle child who lives life in the eye of the tornado that is her family. But Harley has big-family life figured out — that is, until the day she needs everyone to be in one place, on time, for her event. It’s chaos times seven, but Harley realizes guts, ingenuity and a seat near the mashed potatoes make living large a whole lot of fun.

Production begins in the spring in consideration for a series premiere later this year.

Ortega also plays Darcy on the Netflix series Richie Rich.