Ana Ortiz to Star in Lifetime’s “Ripped from the Headlines” TV Movie “Nobody Dumps My Daughter”

Posted on September 9, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a lifetime project come true for Ana Ortiz.

The 53-year-old half-Puerto Rican actress will star in one of Lifetime’s highly anticipated “Ripped from the Headlines” films this fall.

Ortiz, best known for her work on Ugly Betty, will star alongside Jasmine Vega and Sheila E in Nobody Dumps My Daughter.

The original television movie will premiere on October 12th at 8/7c.

In Nobody Dumps My Daughter, after Jimmy breaks up with Theresa (Vega), her overbearing mother, Mary (Ortiz), becomes obsessed with mending their relationship after learning that Jimmy took her daughter’s virginity. Determined to reunite the couple, Mary does everything she can to convince Jimmy to change his mind… including bribing him. When her tactics fail, Mary becomes desperate and her meddling ways turn to murderous when she enlists the services of a fortune teller named Anna (Sheila E.) and a hitman to murder Jimmy in an attempt to reclaim her daughter’s purity.

The Lifetime Original is produced by Lighthouse Pictures with Gemma Martini, Jamie Goehring and Jameson Parker serving as executive producers. Stan Brooks directs from a script by Richard Blaney & Gregory Small.

Meagan Good Starring in Lifetime’s “Terry McMillan Presents: Forever”

Posted on July 22, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Meagan Good has found her forever…

The 42-year-old part-Puerto Rican actress will star opposite Taye Diggs in Lifetime‘s newly acquired film Terry McMillan Presents: Forever.

Good and Diggs will also executive produce the film, which will premiere at 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 24.

Charles Murray directs and executive produces the project.

From writer Bart Baker, Terry McMillan Presents: Forever follows Johnnie (Diggs), who returns home after a tour of military service and is unexpectedly met with divorce papers. With his life at a crossroads, the last thing he expected was to fall for the local policewoman Carlie (Good), who pulled him over for speeding. Determined to win her heart, his first hurdle is winning over her three daughters. To be the man Carlie needs him to be, Johnnie must let go of old fears and regrets to find love and learn the true meaning of family.

The Ninth House produces the movie in association with GroupM Motion Entertainment.

Terry McMillan Presents: Forever marks the second film under the previously announced umbrella, including Terry McMillan Presents: Tempted By Love starring and executive produced by Garcelle Beauvais, premiering a week prior on August 17.

Good recently starred in Divorce in Black, Shazam! Fury of the Gods and Buying Back My Daughter.

Rodolfo Salas Signs with Artists First for Representation Across All Areas

Posted on December 10, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Rodolfo Salas has new representation…

The 40-year-old Venezuelan actor and model has signed with Artists First for representation across all areas.

Salas has become one of the central faces of Netflix’s Latin American expansion, as he most recently starred in the platform’s hit series Fake Profile which follows a woman who creates a sexy profile on the online dating app Spice looking for the man of her dreams. Her dreams quickly turn into nightmares, and Camila ends up falling into a web of sex, lies, and deception. The show is headed into production on its second season in Colombia.

Prior to Fake Profile, he led the Mexican limited series Pact of Silence for Netflix. Next, he’ll star in the Lifetime original movie Padres, which is set to premiere in 2024.

Salas was also a mainstay of Telemundo after emigrating to the United States in 2014. He starred in their series La Fan, Neighborhood Butterfly, Blood of My Land, Betty In NY and most recently, Back To Me.

While not in production overseas, Rodolfo resides with his family in Miami, Florida.

Artists First is a talent management and production company focused on actors, writers, directors and producers in film, television and digital media, Artists First boasts a roster that also includes Martin Lawrence, Awkwafina, Kenya Barris, Anthony Anderson, Tracee Ellis Ross, Niecy Nash, Ed Helms, Will Arnett, Ike Barinholtz, Paul Walter Hauser, Kate McKinnon, Michael Showalter, Jon M. Chu, Lior Raz, Mitch Hurwitz and Cristela Alonzo, among others.

Meagan Good Starring in Lifetime’s TV Movie “Buying Back My Daughter”

Posted on March 22, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Meagan Good is preparing for her next project…

The 41-year-old part- Puerto Rican actress is starring in the television movie Buying Back My Daughter for Lifetime.

The movie centers on a mother who finds her missing teenage daughter being sex trafficked on an escort website.

Good continues her relationship with Lifetime after having starred in and produced the films Death Saved My Life and Love by the 10th Date.

Currently filming, Buying Back My Daughter also stars Roger Cross and Faith Wright. Ariana Madix will play Karen, a police officer who helps investigate the case and has a personal connection to the story.

Buying Back My Daughter is produced by Front Street Pictures and Charles Cooper for distribution by Lifetime. Executive producers are Good, Orly Adelson and Allen Lewis with James Jope as co-executive producer.

Troy Scott directs from a script written by Barbara Marshall.

Good can currently be seen in season two of Amazon Studios’ Harlem.

Camila Cabello to Be Honored During Variety’s “2022 Power of Women” Event

Posted on April 15, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Camila Cabello has the power…

The 25-year-old Cuban & Mexican singer and former Fifth Harmony member, who released her third solo studio album Familia earlier this month, will be among the honorees at Variety’s 2022 Power of Women: New York event.

Cabello is among a list of honorees that includes Drew Barrymore, Kim Cattrall, Queen Latifah, Amanda Seyfried and Venus Williams.

Cabello, a three-time Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum, and chart-topping singer/songwriter, is being honored for her work with the The Healing Justice Project.

In January 2021, Cabello and Movement Voter Fund launched the initiative to provide direct funding to provide culturally relevant mental health and wellness resources to youth activists and grassroots organizations working at the intersection of racial and economic justice, electoral organizing, and other movements that propel this country forward.

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The in-person event will take place at The Glasshouse on May 5. Presented in partnership with Lifetime, the event gathers an intimate group of philanthropic women who have been selected as Variety’s honorees, as well as the most powerful women working in media and entertainment.

Each of the six honorees will be featured on the cover of Variety’s Power of Women issue, available May 4.

The issue will include the annual Women’s Impact Report, which highlights the top 50 women working in media and entertainment who made an impact this year on the industry.

Judy Reyes to Star in New Line’s Film Adaptation of John Green’s “Turtles All the Way Down” for HBO Max

Posted on April 13, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

It’s turtle time for Judy Reyes…

The 54-year-old Dominican American former Scrubs star will appear in New Line’s film adaptation of John Green’s #1 NY Times best seller Turtles All the Way Down for HBO Max.

Turtles All the Way Down tackles anxiety through its 17-year-old protagonist, Aza Holmes (played by Isabela Merced).

Reyes will play Gina, the mother of Aza. Cree Cicchino and Felix Mallard also star. It’s not easy being Aza, but she’s trying… trying to be a good daughter, a good friend, and a good student, all while navigating an endless barrage of invasive, obsessive thoughts that she cannot control. When she reconnects with Davis, her childhood crush, Aza is confronted with fundamental questions about her potential for love, happiness, friendship, and hope in the face of her mental illness.

New Line/HBO Max picked up the project from Fox 2000 when that division closed; the project being ripe for the streamer’s devotion to YA fare, i.e. the new Gossip Girl, The Sex Lives of College Girls, and the upcoming Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin.

Green’s Turtles All the Way Down is his follow-up to his hit novel The Fault in Our Stars, which was a big YA movie in 2014 for 20th Century Fox and Temple Hill, making over $307M WW.

Reyes played Carla on the TV series Scrubs, Zoila on Lifetime’s Devious Maids, and Quiet Ann on the hit TNT series Claws.

Upcoming for Reyes is the Paramount Players’ horror film Something’s Wrong Rose.

Recent film credits include Netflix’s All Together Now, The Circle and Gun Hill Road. Recurring roles include Eva on HBO’s smash hit Succession, Lala on FX’s Better Things, Ramona on Netflix’s One Day at a Time, Deb on the TBS series Search Party and Irene Vega on Bravo’s Dirty John.

Reyes has worked extensively in television, theater, and film for the last 20 years and remains a founding member of NYC’s Labyrinth Theater Company.

She is executive-producing the animated video series LaGolda, which tackles a variety of social and environmental issues through the sport of soccer and is sponsored by UnitedHealthcare’s “Do Good. Live Well.” initiative.

Mario Lopez to Star Opposite Jana Kramer in Lifetime Holiday Movie

Posted on February 28, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Mario Lopez is hoping to get you into the holiday spirit this Christmas…

The 48-year-old Mexican American actor/television personality will star in a Lifetime film as part of the network’s annual It’s a Wonderful Lifetime holiday slate.

Lopez will star opposite Jana Kramer in the dance-centric TV movie, Untitled Mario Lopez/Jana Kramer Holiday Movie (wt), which also stars comedian Cheri Oteri and Lopez’s wife, Courtney Lopez.

Here’s the film: Former Broadway star, Billy Holiday (Lopez), returns to his hometown for Christmas after being abruptly fired as the host-producer-judge of the hit TV series “Celebrity Dance Off.” While there, he encounters Rae (Kramer), the charismatic owner of the local dance studio, where Billy’s 12-year-old nephew is her standout student. This Christmas, Rae is planning a dance recital fundraiser with the goal of taking her students to see a Broadway show in New York City. Billy volunteers to help Rae with the recital by reviving the town’s traditional Christmas Eve show, which was once a showcase for local talent. With Billy’s knack for producing and Rae’s knowledge of all things local, their collaboration clicks, and romantic sparks start flying!

Cheri Oteri stars as Dallas, Billy’s high-powered, fast talking Hollywood agent and Mario’s real-life wife, Courtney stars as Joanna, the charismatic host of “Celebrity Dance Off” who has just replaced Billy as executive producer and head judge.

Untitled Mario Lopez/Jana Kramer Holiday Movie (wt) is produced by Via Mar and Roberts Media, LLC. with Jeff Stearns, Mark Roberts, Lopez and Kramer serving as executive producers.

David Kendall directs from a script by Aliza Murrieta and Peter Murrieta.

Juliana Aidén Martinez to Star Opposite Sofia Vergara in Netflix’s Limited Series “Griselda”

Posted on January 19, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Juliana Aidén Martinez is joining the cartel…

The Colombian actress has joined the cast of Netflix’s Griselda, its upcoming limited series about real-life drug queenpin Griselda Blanco starring Sofia Vergara.

Aidén Martinez is among 12 newly added cast members, including Alberto Guerra, Diego Trujillo, Paulina Davila, Gabriel Sloyer, Maximiliano Hernández and Julieth Restrepo.

Netflix also released a first look photo of Vergara as the lead character.

The six-episode series chronicles the life of Colombian-born Blanco, who created one of the most profitable cartels in history. A devoted mother, Blanco’s lethal blend of charm and unsuspecting savagery helped her expertly navigate between family and business leading her to become widely known as the “Black Widow.”

Here’s a full list of the cast and the characters they’ll play:

Alberto Guerra (Narcos: Mexico) as “Dario”
Vanessa Ferlito as “Isabel”
Alberto Ammann (Narcos) as “Alberto Bravo”
Christian Tappan (The Great Heist) as “Arturo”
Diego Trujillo (Metastasis) as “German Panesso”
Paulina Davila (Luis Miguel) as “Carmen”
Gabriel Sloyer (Narcos) as “Diaz”
Juliana Aidén Martinez as “June”
Martin Rodriguez (Detrás de la verdad) as “Rivi”
José Zúñiga (American Crime Story, Versace) as “Amilcar”
Maximiliano Hernández (The Avengers, The Americans) as “Papo Mejia”
Julieth Restrepo as “Marta Ochoa”

Blanco burst onto the pop culture scene after her exploits were highlighted in the 2006 documentary Cocaine Cowboys and its sequel two years later from Billy Corben.

She was portrayed by Catherine Zeta-Jones in the Lifetime biopic Cocaine Godmother in 2018.

The series was developed by executive producers Vergara and Luis Balaguer for Latin World Entertainment. Griselda is the latest project for Eric Newman under his overall deal with Netflix.

Ingrid Escajeda will serve as co-showrunner, as well as write, and executive produce alongside Doug Miro (Narcos). Newman will also EP alongside his Narcos creative team, Andrés Baiz, and Carlo Bernard—though Griselda is unrelated to Netflix’s drug thriller franchise.

Baiz will direct all six episodes.

Eddie Cibrian to Star Opposite Toni Braxton in Lifetime’s “Fallen Angels Murder Club”

Posted on December 2, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Eddie Cibrian has fallen…

Lifetime has rounded out cast for both installments of Toni Braxton’s Fallen Angels Murder Club (working title, fka Fallen Angels Book Club), with the 48-year-old Cuban American actor among those set to star.

The movies fall under a previously signed deal with Braxton, in which she will star in and executive produce.

Cibrian (Northern Lights, CSI Miami) has joined the first installment of Braxton’s Fallen Angels, while Kelly Hu joins the cast of the second film. Both films are based on the Hollis Morgan mystery book series by author R. Franklin James.

Cibrian stars as Avery Mitchell, Hollis Morgan’s (Braxton) charismatic boss, while Hu will make her debut in the second installment as the mysterious Joelle.

Both productions have started filming and will premiere in 2022.

In the first installment of Fallen Angels Murder Club (wt), members of the Club must have two things in common – a love for books and have a criminal record. Hollis Morgan (Braxton) meets both requirements. Left holding the bag in an insurance fraud scheme concocted by her ex-husband, Hollis served her time and now hopes the court will pardon her conviction so she can return to law school and fulfill her dream of becoming a lawyer. But when a member of her book club is murdered in a scene straight out of the previous night’s novel, Hollis once again becomes the subject of police scrutiny. Refusing to get stuck with another bad rap, Hollis sets out to investigate her fellow club members and after a second book-inspired murder, she races to identify the killer before she becomes the next victim.

Cast also includes Keith D. Robinson (Dreamgirls, Saints & Sinners), Lisa Berry (Working Moms, Supernatural), Yanic Truesdale (Gilmore Girls), Kaitlyn Leeb (Spinning Out), Humberly Gonzalez (Ginny & Georgia), Rainbow Sun Francks (Umbrella Academy), Henderson Wade (Dear White People, Riverdale), Rob Stewart (Killjoys, Suits, Nikita), Raoul Bhaneja (Blind Spot, Clarice, The Lost Symbol) and Shawn Ahmed.

The Fallen Angels Murder Club films fall in line with Lifetime’s Broader Focus initiative, which supports the hiring of women in key production roles. The movies are produced for Lifetime by Brain Power Studio and executive produced by Beth Stevenson, Nancy Yeaman, Braxton and Rhonda Baraka. The films are written and directed by Baraka.

Tatyana Ali to Star in Lifetime’s Original Thriller “Vanished: Searching for My Sister”

Posted on October 19, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Tatyana Ali is twinning…

Lifetime has ordered the original thriller Vanished: Searching for My Sister, starring the 42-year-old Daytime Emmy-nominated half-Afro-Panamanian actress/singer and former The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air star.

Set for a winter 2022 premiere, Vanished: Searching for My Sister stars Ali, Justin Bruening, Jasmine Guy, Carolyn Hennesy and Anthony “Treach” Criss.

Twins Jada and Kayla (both played by Ali) could not be more opposite: Jada being the mild-mannered sister with an office job, and Kayla the wild child. Recently divorced from her husband Warren (Bruening), Kayla asks Jada to watch her daughter while she sets up her new apartment. But after a few days with no word from Kayla, Jada begins to worry and reports her sister missing. With no leads and the police investigation at a standstill, Jada takes matters into her own hands. She disguises herself as her sister and gets pulled into a world of drugs and deceit in order to learn the shocking truth about what really happened to Kayla.

Vanished: Searching for My Sister is produced by Big Dreams Entertainment and Leslie Greif serves as executive producer.

Tim Woodward Jr. directs from a script written by Christina Welsh.

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