John Gabriel Rodriguez Upped to Series Regular on Fox’s “Fantasy Island” Reboot

Posted on November 22, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

There’s more fantasy time in John Gabriel Rodriguez’s future…

The Latino actor, who recurred as Javier on Fantasy Island in season 1, has been promoted to series regular for the upcoming second season of Fox’s contemporary version of the classic drama series.

Starring Roselyn Sanchez and Kiara Barnes, Fantasy Island takes place at a luxury resort, where literally any fantasy requested by guests is fulfilled, although they rarely turn out as expected. Delving into the “what if” questions — both big and small — that keep us awake at night, each episode will tell emotional, provocative stories about people who arrive with dreams and desires.

Rugged, handsome and charismatic, Javier (Rodriquez) is Fantasy Island’s head of transport – a pilot, mechanic and jack of all trades. While the island provides Javier refuge, as with everything else it offers, it may come at the price of a reckoning.

The series stars Sanchez as Elena Roarke, a descendant of the iconic Mr. Roarke, who set aside her own ambitions, and the love of her life, to uphold her family’s legacy.

Barnes plays Ruby Akuda, a young woman with an old soul who arrived on Fantasy Island with a terminal illness and was given a new lease on life as Roarke’s right hand.

Fantasy Island hails from Sony Pictures Television, Gemstone Studios and Fox Entertainment.

In addition to Fantasy Island, Rodriquez has done guest starring/recurring stints on NCIS, Young and Hungry, The Fosters and Rosewood and was a series regular in the NBC pilot Miranda’s Rights.

Fox Renews Roselyn Sanchez’s “Fantasy Island” Reboot for Second Season

Posted on November 4, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Roselyn Sanchez’s fantasy continues…

Fox has ordered a second season of its popular summer drama series Fantasy Island, starring the 48-year-old Puerto Rican actress/singer.

The renewal follows strong ratings for the contemporary version of the classic 1977-84 series, from writer-producers Liz Craft and Sarah Fain.

This past summer, the reboot starring Sanchez and Kiara Barnes ranked as the No. 1 new scripted program among adults 18-49 and was Fox’s most streamed new drama series since 9-1-1: Lone Star in January 2020.

Fantasy Island takes place at a luxury resort, where literally any fantasy requested by guests is fulfilled, although they rarely turn out as expected. Delving into the “what if” questions — both big and small — that keep us awake at night, each episode will tell emotional, provocative stories about people who arrive with dreams and desires.

The series stars Sanchez as Elena Roarke, a descendant of the iconic Mr. Roarke, who set aside her own ambitions, and the love of her life, to uphold her family’s legacy. Barnes plays Ruby Akuda, a young woman with an old soul who arrived on Fantasy Island with a terminal illness and was given a new lease on life as Roarke’s right hand.

Fans won’t have to wait until next summer for more Fantasy Island, however. Fox has ordered a special two-hour holiday episode, “Welcome to the Snow Globe,” which will air at 8:00 pm on Tuesday, December 21. Lindsay Craft, Eddie Cahill and Mackenzie Astin will guest star. In the episode, a businesswoman’s (Craft) fantasy of a perfect Christmas and meeting “Mr. Right” (Cahill) tests Roarke in unexpected ways. Meanwhile, Mr. Jones (Astin) faces his past, while a new Secret Santa tradition has Ruby and Javier (John Gabriel Rodriguez) looking to the future.

Fantasy Island hails from Sony Pictures Television, Gemstone Studios and Fox Entertainment.

“We’re really high on it, and it’s been exciting for us to cross-pollinate some of the stars that we have in other series and do other exciting turns on Fantasy Island,” said Thorn. “We definitely see a potential second season and it’s something that we’re talking about now. We’re very pleased with the show and Liz and Sarah did a very good job,” said Fox executives.

Fox Eyeing Season 2 Order for Roselyn Sanchez’s Drama Series Reboot of “Fantasy Island”

Posted on September 9, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Roselyn Sanchez may not be leavin’ the Island anytime soon…

Fox is is considering a second season of its summer drama series Fantasy Island, starring the 48-year-old Puerto Rican actress/singer.

The series is a reboot of the 1977 original.

Fox Entertainment President Michael Thorn has told Deadline that as its “first real, recent attempt at a cost effective” drama series, the network and producers Sony Pictures Television are “really proud of it”.

Thorn said that the series, which premiered to a 0.4 in 18-49 and 1.97 million viewers, “held its own this summer.” “We’re really high on it and it’s been exciting for us to cross pollinate some of the stars that we have in other series and do other exciting turns on Fantasy Island. We definitely see a potential second season and it’s something that we’re talking about now. We’re very pleased with the show and Liz [Craft] and Sarah [Fain] did a very good job,” he said,

Sanchez stars as Elena Roarke, a descendant of the original series’ enigmatic Mr. Roarke, in the series, which premiered on August 10.

Set at a luxury resort, where literally any fantasy requested by guests is fulfilled, although they rarely turn out as expected. The resort is run by Elena Roarke (Sanchez) who set aside her own ambitions, and even the love of her life, to uphold her family’s legacy. Sophisticated, insightful and always charming, Elena’s calm exterior masks the challenges of the responsibilities she has assumed as steward of this mysterious island.

Kiara Barnes plays Ruby Okoro, a young woman with an old soul who arrives on Fantasy Island with a terminal illness, and is given a new lease on life there, while heavily recurring John Gabriel Rodriquez plays pilot Javier, who also is the head of island transportation and a jack of all trades.

The reboot keeps the semi-anthological format of the original Fantasy Island with three main characters played by Sanchez, Barnes and Rodriquez, who live/work on the island with new guests arriving in every episode.

From writer-producers Craft and Fain, it’s produced by Sony Pictures Television and its Gemstone Studios label, which co-produce with Fox Entertainment.

The original 1977 series, created by Gene Levitt and executive produced by Aaron Spelling and Leonard Goldberg, starred Ricardo Montalbán as Mr. Roarke and Hervé Villechaize as his assistant Tattoo as they grant guests so-called “fantasies” on the island for a price.

Daphne Zuniga to Guest Star on Fox’s “Fantasy Island”

Posted on July 20, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Daphne Zuniga is livin’ a fantasy…

The 58-year-old half-Guatemalan American actress will appear on Fox’s Fantasy Island.

Zuniga will reunite with some of her former Melrose Place cast mates, Laura Leighton and Josie Bissett, in the episode.

They’ll guest star as friends whose island birthday bash exposes the cracks in their friendships.

The all new version of the series, which originally aired from 1977 to 1984, will premiere on August 10 at 9:00 pm.

Production is currently underway in Puerto Rico, with the date of Leighton, Bissett and Zuniga’s episode yet to be announced.

Fantasy Island takes place at a luxury resort where literally any fantasy request by guests is fulfilled, but these requests rarely turn out as expected. Each episode will tell emotional, provocative stories about people who arrive with desires and depart transformed by the island’s magical realism.

The series stars Roselyn Sanchez, Kiara Barnes and John Gabriel Rodriguez.

Sanchez’ Elena Roarke keeps the island running as its steward. A descendant of the iconic Mr. Roarke, she set aside her own ambitions and the love of her life to uphold her family’s legacy.

Fox Releases Trailer for “Fantasy Island” Reboot Starring Roselyn Sanchez

Posted on June 29, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Roselyn Sanchez is livin’ a fantasy…

Fox has released the official trailer for its upcoming Fantasy Island reboot, starring the 48-year-old Puerto Rican actress and singer-songwriter.

The teaser gives fans of the original and new viewers a glimpse at what Fantasy Island has to offer: beautiful scenery, crystal-clear waters and life-changing magical powers.

Fantasy Island is set at a luxury resort, where literally any fantasy requested by guests is fulfilled, though they rarely turn out as expected. The resort is run by Elena Roarke (Sanchez), who set aside her own ambitions — and even the love of her life — to uphold her family’s legacy. Sophisticated, insightful and always charming, Elena’s calm exterior masks the challenges of the responsibilities she has assumed as steward of this mysterious island.

The original 1977-84 series, created by Gene Levitt and executive produced by Aaron Spelling and Leonard Goldberg, starred Ricardo Montalbán as Mr. Roarke and Hervé Villechaize as his assistant Tattoo as they grant guests’ so-called “fantasies” on the island for a price.

The latest reboot comes from writer-producers Liz Craft and Sarah Fain as well as Sony Pictures Television and its Gemstone Studios label, which co-produce with Fox Entertainment. Kiara Barnes and John Gabriel Rodriquez are among the cast for the Fox reboot.

Fantasy Island, from Sony Pictures Television, Gemstone Studios and Fox Entertainment, will debut at 9:00 pm Tuesday, August 10, on Fox.

Filming is underway on location in Puerto Rico.

Roselyn Sanchez to Star in Fox’s “Fantasy Island” Reboot

Posted on April 27, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Roselyn Sanchez is livin’ her fantasy…

The 48-year-old Puerto Rican actress/singer will star in Fantasy Island, Fox’s contemporary reboot of the classic drama series.

Sanchez will portay Elena Roarke, a descendant of the original series’ enigmatic Mr. Roarke, in the project, which received a straight-to-series order and will debut on August 10.

The project hails from writer-producers Liz Craft and Sarah Fain as well as Sony Pictures Television and its Gemstone Studios label, which co-produce with Fox Entertainment.

Fantasy Island is set at a luxury resort, where literally any fantasy requested by guests is fulfilled, although they rarely turn out as expected.

The resort is run by Elena Roarke (Sanchez) who set aside her own ambitions, and even the love of her life, to uphold her family’s legacy. Sophisticated, insightful and always charming, Elena’s calm exterior masks the challenges of the responsibilities she has assumed as steward of this mysterious island.

Sanchez joins previously cast series regular Kiara Barnes and heavily recurring John Gabriel Rodriquez. The reboot is keeping the semi-anthological format of the original Fantasy Island with three main characters played by Sanchez, Barnes and Rodriquez, who live/work on the island and new guests arriving in every episode.

The original Fantasy Island series and the 1998 reboot starring Malcolm McDowell as Mr. Roarke, will begin streaming on Fox Entertainment’s free-streaming platform, Tubi, on May 1.

On the new series, alongside Sanchez’s Elena Roarke, Barnes plays Ruby Okoro, a young woman with an old soul who arrives on Fantasy Island with a terminal illness, and is given a new lease on life there; Rodriquez plays pilot Javier, who also is the head of island transportation and a jack of all trades. There is no direct version of the Tattoo character in the reboot.

The Fantasy Island reimagining, written and executive produced by Craft and Fain, delves into the “what if” questions that keep us awake at night. Each episode will tell emotional, provocative stories about people who walk in with a desire but end up reborn to themselves through the magical realism of Fantasy Island.

Sanchez, whose major English-language television credits include lead roles in Without a Trace, Devious Maids and Grand Hotel, has been nominated for an ALMA Award six times, winning in 2008 for Without a Trace.

CBS Renews Jeremy Ray Valdez’s “The Bold and the Beautiful” for Two Seasons

Posted on May 21, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

There are more bold (and beautiful) days ahead for Jeremy Ray Valdez.

CBS has given a two-year renewal to its long-running daytime drama The Bold and the Beautiful, featuring the 39-year-old half-Mexican American actor,through the 2021-2022 broadcast season.

Now in its 33rd year, the afternoon series routinely wins its time period and averages more than 3.2 million viewers every day.

Picked up for Seasons 34 and 35,The Bold and the Beautiful joins CBS companion The Young and the Restless, which in January was renewed through 2024.

“For over three decades, The Bold and the Beautifulhas been a cornerstone of the CBS Daytime lineup,” said Amy Reisenbach, EVP Current Programs, CBS Entertainment. “The show has been a creative and ratings success due to the supremely talented cast, writers and producers that Brad Bell has assembled. Of course, none of this would have been possible withoutB&B’s dedicated fans, whose passion for these characters and stories is unsurpassed. We are delighted to be able to continue to offer them a daily look into the romances and rivalries between the Forrester, Logan and Spencer families.”

The news of The Bold and the Beautiful renewal comes amid a coronavirus-related Hollywood production shutdown that has suspended filming on all daytime dramas. Along with Y&R, The Bold and the Beautifulhad about 4-6 weeks worth of episodes in the can when the production shutdown began March 17. The last original episode aired last month and, beginning April 27, B&Bstarted airing repeat episodes curated into theme weeks.

“I am thrilled to dive into years 34 and 35 of The Bold and the Beautiful,” said executive producer Bradley Bell. “We are grateful to Amy Reisenbach and everyone at CBS for their incredible commitment to the series. Of course, many thanks to our loyal fans who motivate us every day with their unending passion and enthusiasm.”

The Bold and the Beautifulis currently preparing to resume production in June, if safety guidelines are met in compliance with state and city regulations.

The Bold and the Beautiful,the most-watched U.S. produced daytime drama in the world, is set in Los Angeles and tells the compelling story of high fashion, glamour, honor, romance, passion and, most importantly, family. It’s a Bell-Phillip Television production. Bell is the executive producer.

In addition to Valdez, who joined the show in March 2018 as Detective Alex Sanchez, cast members include (alphabetically): Matthew Atkinson, Kiara Barnes, Katrina Bowden, Darin Brooks, Scott Clifton, Don Diamont, Jennifer Gareis, Courtney Hope, Thorsten Kaye, Katherine Kelly Lang, John McCook, Alley Mills, Annika Noelle, Denise Richards, Lawrence Saint-Victor, Henry Joseph Samiri, Rena Sofer, Aaron D. Spears, Heather Tom and Jacqueline MacInnes Wood.

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