Estefan to Serve as Honorary Co-Chair of Univision & Fusion Media Group’s “Rise Up as One” Event

Posted on September 10, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Gloria Estefan is ready to rise up…

The 59-year-old Cuban singer-songwriter and her husband, Emilio Estefan, have been named as honorary co-chairs of Univision and Fusion Media Group‘s “Rise Up as One” event — a two-day celebration of music, diversity and unity, taking place on October 14 and 15.

The Estefans will serve as co-chairs alongside Calle 13‘s René Pérez aka Residente.

Also attached to the project are Junot Díaz, Ava DuVernay, America Ferrera, Salma Hayek, Samuel L. Jackson, Quincy Jones, Mía Maestro, Jonathan Olinger, Robert Rodriguez and Forest Whitaker, among other artists, thought leaders and influencers.

“We’re honored to have such a diverse group of inspiring and talented individuals joining us to celebrate who we are and the way we live through this unprecedented event. Their passion and commitment will help us put a spotlight on the power of inclusivity in a changing America,” said Camila Jimenez Villa, Fusion Media Group Co-President and COO.

The two-day event will wrap up with a free ticketed concert headlined by artists and musicians that are yet to be announced.

The concert will broadcast live on October 15 on Univision and Fusion at 7 p.m. ET.

Maestro Lands Recurring Role on ABC’s “Scandal”

Posted on August 29, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a scandalous time for Mia Maestro…

The 37-year-old Argentine actress and singer-songwriter, who currently stars on FX’s The Strain, has landed a major recurring role on the upcoming fifth season of ABC’s Washington, D.C., drama series Scandal.

As is the case with most castings on Shonda Rhimes’ series, the character Maestro will play is being kept under wraps.

This marks Maestro’s return to ABC, where she had a heavily recurring role on another popular drama series, Alias, as Jennifer Garner’s sister.

Maestro starred in the The Twilight Saga as Carmen.

FX Renews del Toro’s “The Strain,” Starring Mia Maestro, for Third Season

Posted on August 9, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Guillermo del Toro will be strained for another year…

FX has picked up the 50-year-old Mexican filmmaker and producer’s horror drama The Strain for a third season.

The announcement comes only four weeks into the show’s sophomore season.

A breakout hit when it launched last summer, The Strain has been down in the ratings in Season 2 but continues to be strong in the adults 18-49 demo and delivers solid DVR gains each week. The second episode posted 2.6 million viewers in Live+3 and 1.5 million adults 18-49.

The thriller, from del Toro and Carlton Cuse, is based on the best-selling The Strain Trilogy by del Toro and Chuck Hogan.

“Guillermo and Carlton have delivered two thrilling seasons of The Strain that are captivating and visually arresting, doing justice to the original novel trilogy and meeting fans’ high expectations in the process,” said FX’s Eric Schrier.

In the current second season, New York City is rapidly falling to an evil epidemic, and no one is coming to its rescue. Dr. Ephraim Goodweather (Corey Stoll) and his unlikely allies tried to take down the embodiment of this evil — the Master — and failed. Now Eph and Dr. Nora Martinez (Mia Maestro) are concentrating on creating a biological weapon to wipe out the creatures, while Abraham Setrakian (David Bradley) searches for an ancient book he hopes will reveal the strigoi’s entire history…and possibly a way to kill them.

The third season of The Strain will air next summer.

FX Renews Guillermo del Toro’s Vampire Drama “The Strain,” Starring Maestro, for a Second Season

Posted on August 20, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Mia Maestro is ready to strain herself for another season…

FX has given its new vampire drama The Strain, starring the 36-year-old Argentine actress and singer-songwriter, a long-expected 13-episode order for a second season to air in 2015.

The announcement comes only six weeks into The Strain’s 13-episode freshman run.

Maestro portrays Dr. Nora Martinez on the series from Mexican filmmaker Guillermo del Toro and Carlton Cuse.

The Strain, the first FX original series to air on Sunday night, tells the story of Dr. Ephraim Goodweather, the head of the Center for Disease Control Canary Team in New York City. He and his team are called upon to investigate a mysterious viral outbreak with hallmarks of an ancient and evil strain of vampirism. As the strain spreads, Eph, his team, and an assembly of everyday New Yorkers, wage war for the fate of humanity itself.

The series’ premiere drew 4.73 million total viewers and 2.43 million adults 18-49 in Live+Same Day. With Live+7 data, VOD, digital and electronic purchases, that number tripled to 12.7 million viewers to become the network’s highest-rated series premiere ever. The horror drama also ranks as the No. 1 new series on cable (broadcast or premium) in 2014 in delivery of adults 18-49.

“We’ve never had any doubts about The Strain,” said FX CEO John Landgraf. “Working with Guillermo del Toro, Carlton Cuse, and the brilliant cast led by Corey Stoll has been everything we had hoped it would be and more.”

On a weekly basis, The Strain, from FX Productions, is averaging 11 million total viewers and 5.2 million adults 18-49 inclusive of VOD and online viewing (most current).

On a first-run-only Live+7 basis, the series is averaging 4.5 million total viewers and 2.6 million adults 18-49. The Strain’s 1.2 million adults 18-34 (first-run L+7) places it in a tie for the top spot in that demo among all new cable series to launch in 2014.

FX Orders 13-Episode Season of del Toro’s Vampire Series “The Strain”

Posted on November 20, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Guillermo del Toro’s latest television project will most certainly be getting airtime…

The 49-year-old Mexican filmmaker’s The Strain, which is based on del Toro and Chuck Hogan’s vampire novel trilogy, has received a series pick up at FX with a 13-episode order.

The Strain is a high-concept thriller that tells the story of Dr. Ephraim Goodweather (Corey Stoll), the head of the Centers for Disease Control Canary Team in New York City. He and his team are called on to investigate a mysterious viral outbreak with hallmarks of an ancient and evil strain of vampirism. As the strain spreads, Eph, his team, and an assembly of everyday New Yorkers wage war for the fate of humanity.

The cast includes Mia Maestro, Sean Astin, Kevin Durand, Natalie Brown, Jonathan Hyde, Richard Sammel, Robert Maillet, Jack Kesy, Ben Hyland and Miguel Gomez.

“This is an epic story with stunning visuals and remarkable acting,” said FX’s Eric Schrier and Nick Grad. “The Strain totally re-imagines and re-invents the genre.”

FX had landed the project in a bidding war months ago, hiring a full writing staff and committing $500,000 to creature creation.

The Strain will now head into production on its first season, with the majority of the show’s scripts already completed.

There’s also a major casting change… The role of Professor Abraham Setrakian, played in the pilot by John Hurt, is being recast.

Filming is slated to begin this month in Toronto for a July premiere.

FX’s plans to run for 39-65 episodes for the series.

Barraza Joining George Lopez in FX’s Sitcom “Saint George”

Posted on July 24, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Adriana Barraza has landed a saintly project…

The 57-year-old Mexican actress, who earned an Oscar nomination for her heart-wrenching role as Mexican nanny Amelia in the Brad Pitt-starrer Babel, will co-star opposite George Lopez in Saint George, FX’s upcoming 10-90 sitcom from Lionsgate TV and Debmar-Mercury.

Created and co-written by Matt Williams, David McFadzean and Lopez, Saint George revolves around the chaotic life of a recently divorced working class Mexican-American turned successful entrepreneur (portrayed Lopez), who struggles to balance his demanding ex-wife, his 11-year-old son, his overbearing mother (Barraza) who just moved in, and his uncle. If that isn’t enough, he also has to deal with his new role teaching history once a week at a night school.

Barraza, also recently booked a recurring arc on Guillermo Del Toro’s FX drama The Strain, starring Mia Maestro.

In her native Mexico, Barraza is best known for her role in Amores Perros. Her other credits include Henry Poole Is Here, Drag Me to Hell, Spanglish, From Prada to Nada and Thor.

Navarro Officially Signs with Talent Agency William Morris Endeavor (WME)

Posted on June 2, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Jorge Dorado isn’t the only emerging Latino talent with a bright future in Hollywood…

Guillermo Navarro has officially signed with talent agency William Morris Endeavor (WME).

The 58-year-old Mexican cinematographer most recently shot the upcoming Pacific Rim, working with his long-time collaborator Guillermo del Toro.

Navarro’s credits include Pan’s Labyrinth, which earned him an Oscar for best cinematography; Hellboy and The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn 1 and 2.

His directing debut is a 2012 music video for musician Mia Maestro titled “Blue Eyed Sailor,” co-directed with media artist Juan Azulay, also featuring his son Alvaro Navarro‘s cinematography.

He also recently directed three episodes of Hannibal for NBC.

Maestro to Star in Guillermo del Toro’s FX Drama Pilot “The Strain”

Posted on May 21, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Mia Maestro will be feeling the strain of Hollywood…

The 34-year-old Argentine actress and singer-songwriter has signed on to star opposite Corey Stoll in Guillermo del Toro’s FX drama pilot The Strain.

A television adaptation of del Toro’s vampire novel trilogy, The Strain is being eyed for a 13-episode series pickup.

The high-concept thriller tells the story of Dr. Ephraim Goodweather (portrayed by Stoll), the head of the Centers for Disease Control Canary Team in New York City. He and his team are called upon to investigate a mysterious viral outbreak with hallmarks of an ancient and evil strain of vampirism.

Maestro will portray Dr. Nora Martinez, who works so closely with Ephraim, they finish each other’s sentences and stumble into an affair. A brilliant biochemist, Martinez cares more about people than the diseases that threaten them, but she will soon be forced to embrace a new identity as a ruthless warrior.

del Toro will direct the pilot from a script he co-wrote with Chuck Hogan, who also co-authored the books with del Toro.

This marks a return to series television Maestro, who previously starred in the Jennifer Garner series Alias.

The The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn actress will next be seen in starring in the indie Some Girls, which premiered at the SXSW Film Festival.

Bardem to Portray Manuel Noriega in “Hands of Stone”

Posted on February 4, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Carlos Bardem is preparing to portray one of the world’s most notorious dictators…

In Hands of Stone, the 49-year-old Spanish actor, brother to Javier Bardem, has been cast as Panama’s former dictator Manuel Noriega, who was removed from power after the 1989 U.S. invasion of Panama, captured, detained as a prisoner of war, and flown to the United States.

The film, scheduled to be released in 2013, will tell the story of Roberto Dúran, the popular Panamanian boxer and his trainer, Ray Arcel.

Calling his character a “badass,” Bardem told Fox News Latino that he’s is ready to get on the set and play the controversial military leader.

Along with Bardem, Hands of Stone will reportedly star Andy García, Robert DeNiro, Gael García Bernal, Usher and possibly reggaeton singer Tego Calderón.

Bardem, who recently starred opposite Salma Hayek in the film Americano, will next star opposite Mia Maestro in the upcoming film Gardel about Argentine Tango phenomenon Carlos Gardel.

The Closer’s Cruz to Guest Star on White Collar

Posted on March 14, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

He’s played a beloved detective on TNT’s The Closer for seven seasons… And, now Raymond Cruz will be back behind the badge on another hit show…

The 50-year-old Mexican American actor, best known as The Closer’s Detective Julio Sanchez, will guest star on the upcoming season of White Collar, according to TVGuide.com.

But don’t expect Cruz to be an exemplary lawman… He’ll play Sheriff Enrico Morales, a corrupt local official on a small island town who crosses paths with Neal (Matt Bomer) and Mozzie (Willie Garson). Neal and Mozzie were last seen fleeing from the FBI to an unknown locale in the Season 3 finale.

White Collar started production on Season 4 Monday in Puerto Rico, and is expected to return to the USA lineup this summer.

Cruz joins previously announced upcoming guests Mekhi Phifer, Gregg Henry and Alias‘ Mia Maestro.

Along with appearing on The Closer, which will wrap its seven season-run this summer, Cruz’s credits include My Name is Earl, Nip/Tuck and Breaking Bad.

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