Marianly Tejada to Star in Netflix’s “Ransom Canyon”

Marianly Tejada has lined up her next television project.

The Dominican actress has joined the cast of Netflix’s Ransom Canyon as a series regular alongside Jack Schumacher, Garrett Wareing and Andrew Liner.

Marianly TejadaThose cast in the drama series in recurring roles include Brett Cullen, Kate Burton, Jaren RobledoJennifer EnsKenneth MillerNiko Guardado, Justin Johnson Cortez and Casey W. JohnsonPhilip Winchester will guest star.

The actors join previously cast series regulars Josh Duhamel, Minka Kelly, James BrolinEoin Macken and Lizzy Greene.

Based on the book series by Jodi Thomas, Ransom Canyon is a romance-fueled family drama and contemporary Western saga that charts the intersecting lives of three ranching families, all set against the rugged expanse of Texas Hill Country.

Tejada plays the rough and whip-smart Ellie Estevez, who is the personification of “Do no harm, but take no sh*t,” specifically from resident curmudgeon Cap (Brolin), whom she looks after. Ellie’s young, hungry and driven to make her mark in Ransom Canyon. She has no interest in settling down with a romantic partner, at least not yet, which is why she’s a bit thrown when she crosses paths with mysterious newcomer Yancy.

Robledo plays Jack Yellowbird. Jack is Lucas’ best friend. He is a member of the high school band and has a car. Jack believes in love and does not like guys who are handed a “hall pass” through life.

Guardado plays Tim O’Grady, Reid’s eternal shadow and the wide receiver on the football team. Together, Tim and Reid have been through a lot – and are harboring some heavy secrets. Although he butts heads with his mother, Angie, Tim has a strong relationship with his Aunt Quinn.

Cortez plays Kai, a deputy on the Ransom Canyon Police Force under Sheriff Dan Lazano. Kai is learning the ropes in his job: picking up drunks, working security detail, and handing out parking tickets when needed. Kai is wary and suspicious of the new foreman in town, Yancy. Kai is protective of Ellie and doesn’t want to see Ellie hurt by Yancy.

April Blair is the series creator, writer and executive producer. Amanda Marsalis is set to direct the first two of Season 1’s 10 episodes.

Tejada’s previous credits include Peacock‘s One of Us is Lying.

“Walker: Independence” Star Justin Johnson Cortez to Guest Star on the CW’s “Walker”

Justin Johnson Cortez is crossing over…

The Latino-Indigenous actor, a series regular on the CW period drama Walker: Independence, is crossing over into the future as a guest star on Walker.

Justin Johnson CortezHe’ll play a potentially recurring new role, which could eventually have ties to Calian, the Indigenous character he plays on Walker: Independence.

Cortez will appear on the contemporary Walker as Detective Sonny Alcala, a shrewd homicide detective who got his start working closely with Cordell Walker (Jared Padalecki) and Captain James (Coby Bell) on a case years ago. The detective initially calls Walker as a courtesy to let him know of a death relating to a case, but something doesn’t quite add up.

The Walker origin series Walker Independence is set in the 1800s and follows Abigail Walker, the ancestor of Padalecki’s Cordell Walker. Cortez plays Calian, a member of an Indigenous scouting party outside Independence, Texas. In the midseason finale, Calian left Independence after he was put on trial for the murder of one of the town’s founding fathers, Francis Reyes.

Padalecki, who is an executive producer on Walker Independence, recently made a cameo of his own on the prequel series. In the Season 3 episode, Padelecki’s unnamed character has a scene with Walker alum Matt Barr’s Hoyt Rawlins. The pair meet while trying to rob a train. They exchange a joke and consider partnering up, though that never comes to fruition. Instead, the two thieves draw their guns on each other. Hoyt comes out victorious.

Cortez’s episode airdate is still to be determined.

Laura Vallejo to Star in the Film “Gift of Fear”

It’s a scary gift for Laura Vallejo

The Latina actress, best known for her work on American Crime Story, will star in the film Gift of Fear, from directors Katy Dore and Jack Kohler.

Laura VallejoVallejo joins a cast that includes Justin Johnson Cortez, Michael Horse, Sam Marra, Elle Beyer and newcomer Isa Antonetti.

Highlighting a major crisis devastating Native populations across America and Canada, the film centers on a young Indigenous woman who goes after a gang of sex traffickers when her friend is kidnapped.

Cortez plays Manny Donovan, a federal agent from the newly formed Missing and Murdered unit, who is half Native American and thrust into two different cultural worlds as he tries to solve the case and bring the missing woman home.

A deeply personal and important film for the Native cast and crew, the project was developed, in part, due to co-director and Hoopa tribal member Kohler’s own experience of having 72 women missing from the Hoopa Valley tribes.

Dr. April Lea Go Forth is serving as an EP on the On Native Ground production, which was written by Carly and Jack Kohler.

“It means so much to me to be part of a project highlighting the very real, yet under reported epidemic of missing and murdered indigenous women,” said Cortez. “I hope the film will bring awareness and inspire others to become allies in the movement to keep our Native people safe.”

No word on Vallejo’s character.

Gabriela Quezada Upped to Series Regular on The CW’s “Walker Independence”

There’s more independence in Gabriela Quezada’s future…

The Latina actress, originally hired for a recurring role on The CW’s new fall Walker prequel Walker Independencehas been upped to series regular ahead of the premiere, which is yet to be announced.

Gabriela QuezadaStarring Matt Barr and Katherine McNamaraWalker Independence, written by Seamus Fahey based on a story by him and Anna Fricke, and directed by Larry Teng, is set in the late 1800s.

It follows an affluent Bostonian named Abby Walker (McNamara), whose husband is murdered in front of her while on their trek out West. Consumed by a need for vengeance, Abby crosses paths with Hoyt Rawlins (Barr), described as a “lovable rogue in search of a purpose” in the logline. The pair soon find themselves in Independence, Texas, where they encounter a diverse and eclectic cohort of citizens hiding from their demons and chasing their dreams, all while becoming agents of change themselves in the small town.

Quezada plays Lucia Reyes. Being the daughter of a rancher and the girlfriend of an outlaw isn’t always the easiest, but Lucia carves out her own path in the town of Independence. Using her gift of song, Lucia summons the courage to find her voice singing to the adoring fans of Hagan’s dance hall, hoping it will lead to a brighter future. After a family tragedy keeps her in town to help save the family ranch, Lucia finds a deeper strength to defend the ranch and find those responsible for doing harm to those close to her.

In addition to Barr and McNamara, Findlay joins previously announced series regulars Philemon Chambers, Lawrence Kao, Greg Hovanessian and Justin Johnson Cortez.

CBS Studios is the studio behind both Walker and Walker Independence.

Quezada’s previous television credits include guest-starring roles on 9-1-1, Schooled and The Goldbergs.