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.

Arienne Mandi Starring in Hallmark Channel’s “Love, Classified”

Arienne Mandi’s latest project is classified

The 27-year-old half-Chilean American actress and The L Word: Generation Q star will appear in Hallmark’s romantic comedy Love, Classified.

Arienne MandiMandi will star alongside Melora HardinKatherine McNamara and Max Lloyd-Jones in the project.

The TV movie is set to premiere in April.

Hardin portrays romance novelist Emilia, described as a whirlwind who blows back into the lives of her adult children, Taylor (McNamara) and Zach (Lloyd-Jones), under the pretense of a book signing arranged by her hometown’s local book shop. As Emilia tries to reconnect, Taylor and Zach explore new and past relationships through an app that boasts old-fashioned human connection by way of the classified ad. Zach is given a chance to heal old wounds while Taylor matches with a woman that changes the way she’s always thought about love.

“This is such a fun story from writer Lynn Sternberger, that is ultimately a story of love, family, and commitment in all its forms. With a cast that includes Melora Hardin, Arienne Mandi, Katherine McNamara, and Max Lloyd-Jones to help bring this movie to life will no doubt put a smile on the faces of our viewers this spring,” said Lisa Hamilton Daly, EVP Programming Crown Media Family Networks.

Freeform Orders Two Series-Finale Episodes of Alberto Rosende’s “Shadowhunters”

Alberto Rosende is preparing for The Final Hunt

Freeform’s fantasy drama series Shadowhunters, starringthe 25-year-old Colombian and Cuban American actor, will come to an end after its current third season.

Alberto Rosende 

While the cable network opted not to pick up a fourth season, it will give fans closure, ordering two extra episodes that will wrap the story. The expanded 12-episode final season, dubbed Shadowhunters: The Final Hunt, is set to air in spring 2019.

Freeform originally ordered a 10-episode third season, later ordering 10 back episodes. Season 3A wrapped its run on May 15. While there had been no premiere date for Season 3B but those episodes are already in the can, so the only way to get a proper ending for the series was for Freeform to greenlight a finale.

That way the series also will cover all Mortal Instruments books, on which it is based. The current third season goes over books 4 and 5; the two-hour finale will be based on the sixth and final novel in the series.

“We are very proud of Shadowhunters, a series that broke new ground in the genre world and became a fan favorite,” the network said in a statement. “However, along with our partners at Constantin, we reached the very difficult decision not to renew the show for a fourth season.  But as big supporters and fans ourselves, Freeform insisted on and championed the filming of a special two-part finale that would give devoted fans a proper ending.  The twelve episodes will air in spring of 2019.  We want to thank our talented creators, producers, cast and crew along with our colleagues at Constantin for their hard work and dedication and to Cassie Clare for her incredible book series. We look forward to the final chapter of this breakthrough drama.”

Shadowhunters debuted to a strong start, becoming Freeform’s strongest new scripted show in 2016. Ratings have been down year-to-year since then though the series continues to generate solid buzz and has a devoted following.

Shadowhunters is produced by Constantin Film. The series stars Katherine McNamara as Clary Fray, Dominic Sherwood as Jace Wayland, Rosende as Simon Lewis, half-Mexican actress Emeraude Toubia as Isabelle Lightwood, Matthew Daddario as Alec Lightwood, Isaiah Mustafa as Luke Garroway, Alisha Wainwright as Maia Roberts, and Harry Shum Jr. as Magnus Bane.

Castro to Star on ABC Family’s “Shadowhunters”

David Castro is casting shadows

The 19-year-old Latino actor has been cast in a recurring role on ABC Family’s straight-to-series drama Shadowhunters.

David Castro

Based on the best-selling young adult fantasy book series The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare, Shadowhunters follows 18-year-old Clary Fray (Katherine McNamara) who finds out on her birthday that she’s not who she thinks she is, but rather comes from a long line of Shadowhunters — human-angel hybrids who hunt down demons. When her mother Jocelyn (Maxim Roy) is kidnapped, Clary is thrown into the world of demon hunting with mysterious Shadowhunter Jace (Dominic Sherwood) and her best friend Simon (Alberto Rosende).

Castro, who starred in 27 Dresses, will play Raphael, an elegantly handsome, well-dressed vampire. Ambitious and cunning, he’s aspiring to lead the New York vampire clan.

Castro’s other credits include Where God Left His Shoes, Fugly! and A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints.

Santos’ “Happyland” Gets Series Order at MTV

Bianca Santos has discovered a Happyland at MTV

The network has added Happyland, which stars the Cuban and Brazilian American actress and Zulay Henao, to its original programming roster.

Bianca Santos

The theme park comedy Happyland has been picked up to series, receiving an order for eight episodes.

From Daddy’s Girls Ben Epstein, Happyland is hailed as a soapy teen comedy that explores the underbelly of one of the country’s most popular theme parks and the people who work there.

The project centers on Lucy, a cynical teen whose mother makes a living as a fairy tale princess, and explores the realities of growing up and falling in love while living in a make-believe world.

Along with Santos, who portrays Lucy, and her onscreen princess mother Henao, the series also stars Shane Harper, Katherine McNamara, Cameron Moulene, Brandy Smith and Ryan Rottman.

The comedy joins Awkward on the schedule as the network continues its push into original scripted programming.

The series order comes as little surprise… MTV programming president Susanne Daniels told The Hollywood Reporter this summer after the comedy was ordered to pilot that she was looking to add one or two more comedies to the network’s lineup.

Santos is best known for her role as Lexi on ABC Family’s family drama series The Fosters.

Santos to Star in MTV’s Comedy Pilot “Happyland”

Bianca Santos has found her happy place…

The Latina actress has been cast as the lead in MTV’s comedy pilot Happyland, alongside Colombian American actress Zulay Henao, Shane Harper, Katherine McNamara and Cameron Moulene.

Bianca Santos

Happyland is a hailed as a soapy teen comedy exploring the underbelly of one of the country’s most popular theme parks and the people who work there.

Santos is best known for portraying Lexi Rivera – Cierra Ramirez’s best friend and Jake T. Austin’s love interest –on ABC Family’s Jennifer Lopez-executive-produced drama series The Fosters, which has been renewed for a second season.

Happyland, which was written by Ben Epstein, will be directed by Lee Toland Krieger.

Santos will portray Lucy, a cynical teen working as a greeter at the park where her single mother (portrayed by Henao) has played a fairytale princess for 15 years, and explores the realities of growing up and falling in love while living in a make-believe world.

Henao, who will continue on OWN’s Love Thy Neighbor as a recurring, will appear opposite William Levy in the upcoming feature film Single Mom’s Club.