Ismael Cruz Córdova to Star Opposite Bad Bunny in Residente’s “Porto Rico”

Posted on September 17, 2026 by Tom Castaneda

Ismael Cruz Córdova has landed a rico role…

The 39-year-old Puerto Rican actor has joined the cast of René “Residente” Pérez Joglar’s feature film screenwriting and directing debut, Porto Rico.

Cameras are officially rolling in the Dominican Republic on the film starring Benito “Bad Bunny” Martínez Ocasio, Viggo Mortensen and Edward Norton.

Cruz Córdova is one of 11 new additions to the cast. Others include: Richard Gadd, Rhenzy Feliz, Daniel Brühl, Latin music icon Rubén Blades, Alberto Guerra, Marcel Ruiz, Arian Cartaya, Óscar Jaenada, Carmen Machi and Luis Tosar.

From a screenplay by Alexander Dinelaris and Residente, Porto Rico is an epic Caribbean western and historical drama inspired by true events. The film blends historical scope with a visceral, lyrical narrative exploring Puerto Rico’s origins.

The screenplay is based on the life of Puerto Rican revolutionary José Maldonado Román, known as Águila Blanca, set in the late 19th century. Maldonado Román fought against colonialism by leading a gang of ex-convicts to vindicate Puerto Rico as it sought its identity as a country.

It will also cover the 1898 U.S.A. takeover of Puerto Rico from Spain, which saw the renaming of the island as Porto Rico.

Norton and Mortensen, both of whom are fluent in Spanish, are playing roles connected to their country of origin. And while the production lost a Spaniard in Bardem, three new Spanish natives are part of the cast: Jaenada, Machi and Tosar.

Further details regarding who the new actors will play are under wraps.

Behind the camera, the creative team features major award winners and nominees: cinematographer Anthony Dod Mantle, production designer David Crank and costume designer Anna Terrazas.

Pérez Joglar and Erick Douât produce Porto Rico for 1868 Studios alongside Norton, Bill Migliore, and Michael Bederman for Class 5 Films. The film is backed by Live Nation Studios, Class 5 Films, and strategic partners including the José E. Feliciano and Kwanza Jones Initiative, Mike and Sukey Novogratz, Henry R. Muñoz III, Ric Elias, and Noah Assad. Additional strategic partners include HarbourView Equity Media Group, Talipot Studio, and Wieden+Kennedy Entertainment.

Alejandro G. Iñárritu executive produces alongside Michael Rapino, Ryan Kroft, Stella Bulochnikov, Scott Budnick, Jones, Feliciano, Mike and Sukey Novogratz, Assad, Muñoz III, Elias, Sherrese Clarke, Niija Kuykendall, Regina Solórzano, and Lakshmi Iyengar. UTA Independent Film Group is handling sales.

Marcel Ruiz’s “The Body” to Premiere on Netflix in November

Posted on August 11, 2026 by Tom Castaneda

Marcel Ruiz is bringing his Body to Netflix this fall.

Netflix has set the release date for The Body, an upcoming eight-episode series starring the 23-year-old Puerto Rican actor, for November 11.

Created by Quinn Shephard, the series follows a group of badly-behaved Catholic school girls, who begin having prophetic visions that set off mass hysteria in town after a dance-team initiation goes wrong.

Shephard directs the premiere and serves as showrunner for the gritty drama, starring Kristina Bogic, Sara Boustany, Geena Meszaros, Nnamdi Asomugha, Louisa Krause, Shirley Chen, Jackson Kelly, Sofia Wylie, with Gabby Windey, Kyra Pierce, Phallon Pierce, Orlando Norman, Ashley Madekwe, Motell Foster, Cale Ambrozic, Anna Tierney, Chloe Longname, Sarah Abbott, Emily Roman, Michela Luci, Bella Neuspiel, Julia Lowe and Christine Solomon.

Ruiz portrays Tyler Santos on the series. (See still of his character below.)

Shephard calls The Body “a love letter to all the ’90s and Y2K teen movies and erotic thrillers” she loved growing up. This includes movies like Carrie, Jennifer’s Body, Heavenly Creatures, and even Mean Girls. The Crucible and the Salem witch trials also have heavy influence. She also calls in her “most personal” project yet.

“I’ve always been interested in the idea of girlhood as a religious experience. This story is definitely my way of putting a playful spin on all the nightmares of my own teenage-dom,” Shephard says. “Tonally, I would describe the show as gritty camp. It’s a raunchy teen psychodrama with a dash of Catholic horror.

Executive producers include Peter Chernin, Amy Israel and Josh Stern for North Road, Riley Keough, Gina Gammell and Sacha Ben Harroche for Felix Culpa as well as Blair Breard.

Ruiz is best known for his breakout role as Alex Alvarez in the sitcom One Day at a Time and as John Smith in the feature film Breakthrough.

Justina Machado & Her “One Day at a Time” Cast Mates Reuniting for Special Charity Table Read

Posted on September 5, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Justina Machado is taking it one (more) day at a time…

The 52-year-old Puerto Rican actress and her One Day at a Time cast mates are reuniting to support democracy and honor the legacy of Norman Lear.

The cast and executive producers of the Lear-created series will reunite for a special charity table read of never-before-seen episodes from Season 4 of the Netflix series.

All proceeds will go to People For The American Way Foundation, an organization co-founded by Lear that is committed to defending our freedoms.

The comedy series’ former producer, Sandi Hochman, and executive producers, Gloria Calderón Kellett, Mike Royce and Brent Miller are producing the event, which will be held on Saturday, October 5 at 2:00 pm at the Saban Media Center in North Hollywood.

The entire cast will participate, including Machado as “Penelope,” Rita Moreno as “Lydia,” Stephen Tobolowsky as “Dr. Berkowitz,” Todd Grinnell as “Schneider,” Isabella Gomez as “Elena,” Marcel Ruiz as “Alex,” India de Beaufort as “Avery,” Sheridan Pierce as “Syd” and Ed Quinn as “Max.”

Stage direction will be read by co-showrunner and executive producer, Calderón Kellett.

The cast will be reading season four episodes titled, “Church and Statement,” written by Sebastian Jones, “Best Birthday,” written by Vincent Brown & Dan Signer and the series finale “Dreams,” written by Sebastian Jones & Brigitte Muñoz-Liebowitz.

“Reuniting our One Day at a Time cast to bring these unaired, unshot episodes to life – including what would have been our series finale – is a powerful reminder of the magic of Norman Lear and his work,” said co-showrunners and executive producers Gloria Calderón Kellett and Mike Royce. “It was an honor to bring this Latine family to the screen, and this reading is not just a celebration, but a chance to connect with our incredible fans once more and support a cause close to our hearts, People For The American Way Foundation, another of Norman’s brainchildren. Together, we honor Norman’s legacy, our beloved show and a community that has always supported us.”

One Day at A Time, is a critically acclaimed comedy-drama inspired by Lear’s 1975 series of the same name.

Produced by Sony Pictures Television, seasons 1-3 launched on Netflix and are currently streaming. In 2019 the series found a new home for its fourth season at Pop TV amid fans rallying behind the show.

“Norman Lear was brilliant at portraying loving families of all kinds, and he was adamant that all kinds of families, all kinds of Americans, deserve to be treated with respect and dignity and share in the blessings of liberty,” said People For the American Way Foundation President Svante Myrick. “We are grateful to the producers and cast of One Day at a Time for helping People For the American Way Foundation carry on Norman’s work of defending our democracy and ensuring that ‘We, the People’ includes all the people.”

Tickets for the event are on sale here.

Justina Machado’s Animated “One Day at a Time” Episode to Air Tonight on Pop TV

Posted on June 16, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Justina Machado is getting animated…

The 47-year-old Puerto Rican actress and her One Day at a Timecast mates will lend their voices to tonight’s animated special on Pop TV.

one-day-at-a-time-animated-special-pop-tv

The animated episode is in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which shut down television and film production around the world.

The special, titled “The Politics Episode,” will center on a visit from Penelope’s (Machado) conservative cousin Estrellita (Melissa Fumero), Tia Mirtha (Gloria Estefan) and Tio Juanito (Lin-Manuel Miranda). With a presidential election looming, a fight over politics is inevitable.

The series also stars Isabella Gomez and Marcel Ruiz, as Machado’s children. Rita Moreno plays Penelope’s sassy live-in mother. And Todd Grinnell plays their lovable neighbor Schneider.

The original series debuted in 1975 and was developed by the legendary producer Norman Lear. A new iteration of it debuted on Netflix in 2017. After it was canceled, the show found a new home on Pop TV.

Pop TV to Premiere the Fourth Season of Justina Machado’s “One Day at a Time” in March

Posted on January 16, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Justina Machado’s new Dayhas come…

Pop TV has scheduled Tuesday, March 24 as the fourth-season premiere of One Day at a Time, starring the 47-year-old Puerto Rican actress.

Produced by Sony Pictures Television, the new 13-episode season will premiere at 9:30 pm following new episodes of the final season of Schitt’s Creek before moving to 9:00 pm, beginning April 14.

Inspired by Norman Lear’s 1975 series, the comedy will continue to tell the story of the Cuban American Alvarez family. This season will find Penelope (Machado) exploring a surprising relationship, her mother Lydia (Rita Moreno) experiencing a religious crisis – as well as revealing the details of her surprise trip to Cuba with Dr. Berkowitz (Stephen Tobolowsky), and Schneider (Todd Grinnell) finding his relationship with Avery (India de Beaufort) growing deeper. Meanwhile, Elena (Isabella Gomez) begins to prepare for college and Alex (Marcel Ruiz) starts to date.

“The enthusiastic response from fans since announcing our new season of One Day at a Time has been thrilling,” said Brad Schwartz, President, Pop TV. “The series is more important than ever with its unmatched ability to tackle topical social issues through the lens of a relatable, loving family. The exceptionally talented team behind and in front of the camera make us proud to have ONE DAY AT A TIMEat home at Pop TV.”

Pop TV rescued the revived series after Netflixcanceled the show following its third season.

One Day at a Time is produced by Act III Productions, Inc.,Snowpants Productionsand GloNation in association with Sony Pictures Television, with Norman Lear, Mike Royce, Gloria Calderón Kellettand Brent Millerserving as executive producers.

Netflix to Launch Season 3 of Justina Machado’s “One Day at A Time” in February

Posted on December 15, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

Justina Machado will get herDayin February…

Netflix has announced a February launch date for Season 3 of its critically acclaimed comedy series One Day at A Time, starring the 46-year-old Puerto Rican actress.

The 13-episode third season of the reimagining of the iconic Norman Lear sitcom will debut on February 8.

One Day at a Time, produced by Sony Pictures Television, follows three generations of a Cuban-American family sometimes-reluctantly cohabitating and navigating the ups and downs of life. A newly-single mom and military veteran journeys through the triumphs and tribulations that come with raising two strong-willed, mega-millennial children, all the while enlisting the “help” of her old-school mother and her building manager-turned-invaluable confidante.

The returning cast includes Machado, Rita Moreno, Todd Grinnell, Stephen Toblowsky, Isabella Gomez and Marcel Ruiz.

This season co-creator, executive producer and co-showrunner Gloria Calderon Kellett will step in front of the camera for a two-episode arc as Nicole, the new woman in Victor’s (James Martinez) life. She’ll also direct the final two episodes of the season. Gloria Estefan also is set to guest star in Season 3.

Justina Machado Signs with United Talent Agency (UTA)

Posted on September 18, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

Justina Machado has new representation…

The 46-year-old Puerto Rican actress, who stars on Netflix’s rebooted Norman Lear series One Day at a Time, has signed with United Talent Agency (UTA).

Machado, who scored a SAG Award in 2004 as part of the ensemble cast of HBO’s Six Feet Under, has appeared on Season 4 of CW’s Jane the Virgin and USA Network’s Queen of the South, and she voices Carmen on Disney Junior’s Elena of Avalor.

Her big-screen credits include The Purge: Anarchy and The Accidental Husband. On the stage, she made her Broadwaydebut in In the Heights and also appeared in A Free Man of Color.

On One Day at a Time, which follows three generations of a Cuban-American family, Machado stars as Penelope Alvarez, a single mom and military veteran raising two strong-willed, mega-millennial children, all the while enlisting the “help” of her old-school mother and her building manager-turned-confidante. Rita Moreno, Todd Grinnell, Stephen Toblowsky, Isabella Gomezand Marcel Ruiz co-star.

The series from Lear and Sony Television is underway on shooting its third season, which will air in 2019.

She had been with APA and continues to be repped by D2 Management.

Raúl Castillo to Appear on Season 3 of Netflix’s “One Day At A Time”

Posted on July 3, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a new Day for Raúl Castillo…

The 40-year-old Mexican American actor has landed a recurring role on the upcoming third season of Netflix’s One Day At A Time.

Castillo will play Mateo, a dad friend of Penelope’s (Justina Machado) from school, who turns into something more.

A reimagining of Norman Lear’s classic sitcom, One Day at a Time follows three generations of a Cuban-American family navigating the ups and downs of life. A newly-single mom and military veteran journeys through the triumphs and tribulations that come with raising two strong-willed, mega-millennial children, all the while enlisting the “help” of her old-school mother and her building manager-turned-invaluable confidant.

Stephen Tobolowsky, Todd Grinnelland Marcel Ruiz also star.

Norman Lear executive produces, with Gloria Calderon Kellett and Mike Royce executive producing and co-showrunning.

One Day at a Time is produced by Sony Television Productions for Netflix.

Castillo, who rose to acclaim on HBO’s Looking, stars as Paps in the film We the Animals, based on the Justin Torres novel and directed by Jeremiah Zagar. He was most recently seen in ensemble series Seven Seconds, Ricky Gervais’ Special Correspondents opposite America Ferrera, Joe Swanberg’s anthology drama series Easy, and the Robia Roshid-created Atypical, all on Netflix.

Gloria Estefan to Guest Star on Netflix’s “One Day At A Time”

Posted on June 26, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

Gloria Estefan’s Day has arrived…

The 60-year-old Cuban singer, songwriter, actress, and businesswoman will guest star opposite Rita Moreno in an episode of the upcoming third season of Netflix’s One Day At A Time.

The Grammy winner, who sings the show’s theme song, a Cuban-tinged cover of the original sitcom’s opener— will play Mirtha, Lydia’s (Moreno) baby sister and arch-nemesis.

A reimagining of Norman Lear’s classic sitcom, One Day at a Time follows three generations of a Cuban-American family navigating the ups and downs of life. A newly-single mom and military veteran journeys through the triumphs and tribulations that come with raising two strong-willed, mega-millennial children, all the while enlisting the “help” of her old-school mother and her building manager-turned-invaluable confidant.

Justina Machado, Stephen Tobolowsky, Todd Grinnell, Isabella Gomez and Marcel Ruiz also star.

Norman Lear executive produces, with Gloria Calderon Kellett and Mike Royce executive producing and co-showrunning.

One Day at a Time is produced by Sony Television Productions for Netflix.

Netflix Renews Machado’s “One Day at a Time” for Second Season

Posted on March 6, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

It’s another day at a time for Justina Machado…

Netflix has renewed its reimagining of Norman Lear’s One Day at a Time for a 13-episode second season, starring the 44-year-old Puerto Rican actress,

The new version centers on a Cuban-American family led by a recently separated, former military mom (Machado) who is navigating a new single life while raising her radical teenage daughter and socially adept tween son. She’s “helped” by her old school Cuban-born mom (Rita Moreno) and a friends-without-benefits building manager named Schneider.

One Day at a Time, which premiered January 6, drew rave reviews.

Set to return for Season 2 are stars Machado, Moreno, Todd Grinnell, Isabella Gomez, Marcel Ruiz and Stephen Tobolowsky.

The 13-episode first season, featuring Gloria Estefan’s latinized-take on the original theme song, was produced by Act III Productions, Inc., Snowpants Productions and Small Fish Studios in association with Sony Pictures Television.

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