Luis Guzman Upped to Series Regular for Season Two of Netflix’s “Wednesday”

There are more Wednesdays in Luis Guzmán’s future…

The 67-year-old Puerto Rican actor has been promoted to series regular for season two of Netflix’s supernatural mystery Wednesday.

Luis Guzman, Gomez Addams, WednesdayGuzman, who portrays Wednesday’s father Gomez Addams on the series, is among the main cast and guest stars announced by Netflix for the upcoming season, which will once again be headlined by Jenna Ortega.

Production has started in Ireland for a 2025 premiere.

Promoted alongside Guzman as series regulars are Catherine Zeta-Jones, who plays Wednesday’s mom Morticia Addams; Isaac Ordonez (Wednesday’s younger brother Pugsley Addams); and Luyanda Unati Lewis-Nyawo (Sheriff Deputy Ritchie Santiago).

Joining Wednesday as new series regulars are Billie Piper, previously revealed Steve Buscemi, Evie TempletonOwen Painter and Noah Taylor.

A teaser, featuring Thing delivering scripts to the cast, reveals the characters for Piper, who will play Capri, and Buscemi, who will portray Barry Dort.

Wednesday creators/executive producers Al Gough and Miles Millar had previously hinted that we might see more Addams family members in Season 2 and explore further Wednesday’s relationship with her mother and the rest of her family. Expanding Jones, Guzmán and Ordonez’s presence next season would fit into that plan — along with delighting fans who had been asking to see more of these characters.

Season 2 will introduce at least one new Addams family member, Grandmama, who will be played by Joanna Lumley in a guest-starring turn, with Fred Armisen set to reprise his guest role as Uncle Fester.

Christopher Lloyd, who played Uncle Fester in the Addams Family film franchise, will also guest star in Season 2 in an undisclosed role, the second cast member from the films to appear on the series after Christina Ricci’s turn last season. Other new Season 2 guest stars include Thandiwe Newton, who will play Dr. Fairburn; Frances O’ConnorHaley Joel OsmentHeather Matarazzo; and Joonas Suotamo.

Returning series regulars are Ortega as Wednesday, Emma Myers, Joy Sunday, Hunter Doohan, Victor Dorobantu, Moosa Mostafa and Georgie Farmer.

Meanwhile, Season 1 series regulars Percy Hynes WhiteJamie McShane and Naomi J Ogawa will not be returning in that capacity next season.

Of the three, only McShane is slated to reprise his Sheriff Donovan Galpin role as a guest star, likely to wrap the story of his character. Galpin’s duties may be taken over by his deputy, Santiago, with Lewis-Nyawo now promoted to series regular.

White played psychic Nevermore student Xavier Thorpe, one of the two main Season 1 male leads and a romantic interest for Wednesday (Ortega), who saved his life in the season finale.

Rumors started circulating last fall that his character may be written off. White last June issued a statement, hitting back at since-deleted anonymous January 2023 social media posts that accused him of sexual assault. In his message to fans, White vehemently denied any allegations.

As for Ogawa, her vampire student character Yoko Tanaka spent Season 1 largely in the background, with diminishing screen time as the season went on and no major storylines.

The teaser, which you can watch below, also reveals that the first episode of Season 2 is titled “Here We Woe Again.” It was written by Millar and Gough and is being directed by series director/exec producer Tim Burton.

“We are thrilled that the entire Addams family will be enrolling in Nevermore Academy this season along with a dream cast of icons and new faces,” Millar and Gough said in a statement.

The Season 2 cast photo is taken in the room Wednesday shared with Enid. There is no official logline for next season, but at least some of the action is expected to again take place at Nevermore Academy as the series is charting Wednesday Addams’ years as a student at there. It is unclear whether that would include Wednesday’s parents. There is a vacancy at the helm of the Academy after the principal (and Morticia’s former roommate) Larissa Weems (Gwendoline Christie) was killed.

Wednesday‘s first season ranks as Netflix’s most popular English TV series with 252.10 million views. The black comedy spent 20 weeks on the Global Top 10 and reached the top 10 in 93 countries.

Burton, Gough and Millar executive produce with Steve Stark, Andrew Mittman, Tommy Harper, Karen Richards, Kayla Alpert, Jonathan Glickman, Gail Berman and Meredith Averill. Other Season 2 directors include Paco Cabezas and Angela Robinson. MGM Television is the studio.

As the series is starting production in its new location, after filming Season 1 in Romania, Netflix is launching a TikTok channel dedicated to all things Wednesday from Thing’s perspective.

Rudy Valdez Signs with Inspire Entertainment

Rudy Valdez is under new management…

The Latino Emmy-winning documentary filmmaker  has signed with Inspire Entertainment for management.

Rudy ValdezMost recently, Valdez served as director, executive producer and cinematographer of the six-part docuseries Choir for Disney+, as well as Carlos, the Carlos Santana doc from Sony Pictures Classics and Imagine Documentaries.

Both films were official selections of the 2023 Tribeca Festival, with Carlos earning a 2023 Critics’ Choice Documentary Award nomination for Best Music Documentary.

Valdez’s documentary short Translators, produced in partnership with U.S. Bank, also recently debuted as an official selection of LALIFF and the Tribeca Festival, winning the Tribeca X Award for Best Short Documentary.

The filmmaker’s breakthrough project was The Sentence, the HBO doc marking his directorial debut. Shot over the course of a decade, the film watches as Valdez unpacks the aftermath of his sister Cindy’s 15-year sentence for conspiracy charges related to crimes committed by her deceased ex-boyfriend. Following its world premiere at Sundance 2018, where it won the U.S. Documentary Audience Award, the doc went on to win an Emmy for Exceptional Merit in Documentary Filmmaking, also securing Valdez a nomination for Best New Director at the Critics’ Choice Documentary Awards.

Valdez is at the helm of Bluff Road Films, an independent production company focused on creating meaningful social, cultural, and political stories while championing equity both on screen and behind the camera.

Currently, the company is teaming with Inspire to produce the feature doc Places, centered on Pacific Northwest artist Ben Joyce and his personal journey to expand his horizons of art, people, and family. In addition to directing, Valdez is producing the pic alongside Jason Spire and Meghan Schale.

Founded in 2002, Inspire Entertainment is also known for its work on the hit Netflix pic Outside the Wire and Peacock/Sony’s video game adaptation Twisted Metal, which is currently prepping to shoot its second season, among other projects.

Netflix Releases Trailer for Biopic “Senna,” Starring Gabriel Leone

Gabriel Leone is shifting gears…

Netflix has released the trailer for its Senna biopic, which stars the 30-year-old Brazilian actor and musician.

Gabriel LeonePremiering later this year, the project stars Gabriel Leone as the eponymous driver.

The trailer recreates his historic victory at the 1991 Brazilian Grand Prix in Interlagos, following a challenging race where he was mostly stuck in sixth gear and also marking the first time he won in his hometown of Sao Paulo.

The teaser also displays possible thoughts and experiences, interspersed with images of the race that led Senna to where he had got to in his career before he tragically died in 1994.

The six-part series starts with the genesis of the three-time F1 champion’s motor racing career, when he moves to England to compete in Formula Ford, and runs until his tragic accident in Imola, Italy, during the San Marino Grand Prix.

Senna also stars Kaya Scodelario, whose mother is Brazillian, fresh off the back of her turn in Netflix’s The Gentlemen.

With Vicente Amorim as showrunner and co-director, alongside with Julia Rezende, Senna is produced by Fabiano Gullane and Caio Gullane with the support of Senna Brands and the driver’s family.

It also stars Alice Wegmann (Lilian Vasconcelos, Ayrton’s first wife), Camila Márdila (Vivianne Senna, his sister), Christian Malheiros (Maurinho, his friend), Gabriel Louchard (Galvão Bueno), Hugo Bonemer (Nelson Piquet), Julia Foti (Adriane Galisteu), Marco Ricca (“Maurão” Senna, his father), Nicolas Cruz (Leonardo Senna, his brother), Rodrigo Veloso (Flavio, brother-in-law) and Susana Ribeiro (Zaza Senna, his mother), plus an international cast including Matt Mella (Alain Prost), Arnaud Viard (Jean-Marie Balestre), Patrick Kennedy (Ron Dennis), Joe Hurst (Keith Sutton), Johannes Heinrichs (Niki Lauda), Keisuke Hoashi (Osamu Goto), Leon Ockenden (James Hunt), Richard Clothier (Peter Warr), Steven Mackintosh (Frank Williams) and Tom Mannion (Sid Watkins).

Head scriptwriter is Gustavo Bragança and writers are Álvaro Campos, Gustavo Bragança, Rafael Spínola, Thais Falcão and Álvaro Mamute. Amorim is directing with Júlia Rezende.

An Asif Kapadia doc about Senna won two BAFTAs in 2011.

Netflix Boards Film Adaptation of Cesc Gay’s Award-Winning Theatre Play “53 Domingos”

It’s Sundays fun days for Cesc Gay.

Netflix has boarded a big screen adaptation of the 57-year-old Spanish film screenwriter and film director’s award-winning theatre play 53 Domingos, which he’ll direct.

Cesc Gay, The drama, exploring family relationships, follows three brothers who meet to discuss what to do with their octogenarian father, who has started showing strange behavior.

As they discuss whether to move him to a nursing home, or into one of their homes, the initially civilized family discussion degenerates into an unexpected and hilarious fight.

The cast includes Carmen Machi, Javier Cámara and Javier Gutierrez.

Gay’s previous credits include international breakout Truman, the choral film Stories Not To Be Told and the television drama Félix.

The Netflix announcement rounds out a trio of Spanish feature productions unveiled by the streamer this week.

The previously announced titles span alongside political thriller Un Fantasma en la Batalla, produced by Society of Snow filmmaker J.A. Bayona, and investigative drama La Desconocida, written by journalist and author Rosa Montero.

The latter revolves around an investigation into the identity of woman found in a container located in the Barcelona docks, with no memory of who she is or how she got there.

Diego Luna to Star Opposite Jennifer Lopez in Film Adaptation of Broadway Musical “Kiss of the Spider Woman”

Diego Luna is spinning a new web

The 44-year-old Mexican actor, director and producer will star opposite Jennifer Lopez in Kiss of the Spider Woman, the feature adaptation of the 1993 Broadway musical based on Manuel Puig’s landmark 1976 novel.

Diego LunaLuna will portray Valentin Arregui in the musical film.

Meanwhile, Tonatiuh will star in the adaptation as Luis Molina.

They join Lopez, who was previously announced in the titular role.

The show, which won seven Tony Awards, was written by Terrence McNally with a score by composer John Kander and lyricist Fred Ebb. The film is scripted and directed by Oscar winner Bill Condon, with Barry Josephson, Tom Kirdahy and Greg Yolen producing alongside Ben Affleck and Matt Damon for Artists Equity, which has secured independent financing for the film.

Michael Joe, Dani Bernfeld and Kevin Halloran will executive produce for Artists Equity alongside Condon on behalf of 1000 Eyes; Lopez and Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas for Nuyorican Productions.

The musical is set in an Argentinian prison in 1981, against the backdrop of what is historically referred to as the Guerra Sucia (“Dirty War”) waged by the military dictatorship. Molina is a department store window dresser serving an eight-year sentence after being entrapped by police for allegedly corrupting a minor. To escape the horrors of imprisonment, he imagines a movie starring classic silver screen diva Ingrid Luna (Lopez) as both fashion editor Aurora and the Spider Woman, who kills her prey with a kiss. Molina’s life is upended when forced to share a cell with Marxist revolutionary Valentin, with whom an unlikely bond is formed.

Luna most recently starred in Disney+ series Andorwhich earned him some of the best reviews of his career, as well as Golden Globe and Emmy recognition. He recently wrapped production on Season 2.

Tonatiuh can be seen next in the Netflix thriller Carry On; other credits include the TV series Vida.

Desmin Borges to Appear on New Season of Hulu’s “Only Murders in the Building”

Desmin Borges has entered the building

The half-Puerto Rican actor has joined the cast of Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building.

Desmin BorgesBorges is among a roster of recurring cast additions that includes Siena Werber and newcomer Lilian Rebelo.

They join stars/executive producers Steve Martin, who also co-created the critically acclaimed series, Martin Short and Selena Gomez as well as new recurring players Zach Galifianakis, Molly Shannon, Eva Longoria and Eugene Levy and returning Meryl Streep in the upcoming fourth season.

All new characters will be integral to the twists and turns of the investigation into the murder of Sazz Pataki (Jane Lynch), Charles-Haden Savage’s (Martin) stunt double from his years on the series Brazzos and its 2020 revival.

Disney Television Group President Craig Erwich revealed in a recent interview that the Only Murders In the Building trio, Charles, Oliver (Short) and Mabel (Gomez), will kick off the new season with a trip to Los Angeles before returning to The Arconia in their search of Sazz’s killer.

The Season 3 finale saw Loretta (Streep), Oliver and Mabel all contemplating a move to LA.

Produced by 20th TelevisionOnly Murders in the Building, Hulu’s most watched original comedy series, is co-created and co-written by Martin and John Hoffman who also executive produce alongside Short, Gomez, Dan Fogelman and Jess Rosenthal.

Borges is best known for his role as Edgar in five seasons of FX’s comedy You’re the Worst. He can currently be seen opposite Jennifer Lopez in the film Shotgun Weddingas well as in a series regular role in HBO’s The Time Traveler’s Wife.

His other recent credits include a season-long arc on Fox comedy Welcome To Flatch, Amazon’s Utopia, Netflix dramedy series Living with Yourself and the film Private Life.

He’ll next be seen in the film Hangdog, which premiered at the Provincetown Film Festival.

Newcomer Rebelo is a 2021 graduate of the drama program at Fordham University.  She recently starred in Our Dear Drug Lord at the Kirk Douglas Theatre.

Adriyan Rae to Appear on Mara Brock Akil’s Netflix Series “Forever”

Adriyan Rae has found her Forever home… 

The part-Venezuelan actress has landed a recurring role on Netflix’s Forever.

Adriyan RaeCreated by Mara Brock Akil, Forever is a reimagining of the 1975 novel by Judy Blume and follows the epic love story of two Black teens exploring their identities through the awkward — and moving — journey of being each other’s firsts in 2018 Los Angeles.

Like its inspiration, the show will examine “the idea of your first love being with you forever,” said Brock Akil, who created acclaimed stories of Black love and growth like sitcom Girlfriends and drama Being Mary Jane. She was also a writer on the YA comedy Moesha.

Oscar winner Regina King will serve as executive producer and will direct the first episode.

Rae will portray Brittany, one of Keisha’s older cousins, and is described as a social climber who looks out for Keisha and her well-being like an older sister—even if she usually does it with a sarcastic sense of humor and blunt direct attitude. Brittany is a loyal support system for Keisha and her mom Shelly, and always brings a sense of fun to wherever she goes —including affectionately calling Keisha ‘Urkel’ due to her book smart nature.

Lovie Simone will star as Keisha Clarke and Michael Cooper Jr. will portray Justin Edwards. Karen Pittman, and Wood Harris round out the cast so far.

Within the television sphere, Rae currently stars as ‘Brittany Pitts’ in Paramount+’s reboot of The Game. Additionally, she recently led the cast of SYFY’s series Vagrant Queen, starred in NBC’s Chicago Fire and Hulu’s horror-thriller series Light As A Feather, and has guest starred on various shows including FX’s Atlanta, BET’s American Soul, and FOX’s musical drama Star, from the producers of Empire.

In film, she has had roles in Sony’s Superfly with Jennifer Morrison, Trevor Jackson and Michael Kenneth Williams, and Netflix’s Burning Sands alongside Alfre Woodard and Trevante Rhodes.

Kevin Alves to Appear on Netflix‘s Comedy Series “No Good Deed” in Recurring Role

Kevin Alves is preparing for a good role…

The 32-year-old Canadian-Brazilian actor and former figure skater has landed a recurring role on Netflix‘s eight-episode comedy series No Good Deed from creator Liz Feldman.

Kevin AlvesAlves, who appears on Yellowjackets, plays Nate, the strait-laced, hard-edged son of Mikey (Denis Leary), with whom he has a strained relationship.

Ray Romano and Lisa Kudrow lead the cast, which also includes Linda Cardellini, Luke Wilson, Abbi Jacobson, Poppy Liu, Leary and O-T Fagbenle.

No Good Deed is a half-hour, dark comedy that follows three very different families vying to buy the very same 1920s Spanish-style villa that they think will solve all their problems. But as the sellers have already discovered, sometimes the home of your dreams can be a total nightmare.

Feldman serves as showrunner and executive produces alongside Will Ferrell and Jessica Elbaum for Gloria Sanchez Productions, Christie Smith, and Silver Tree, who will direct the pilot and additional episodes.

Sherry Thomas and Russell Scott are overseeing casting.

Best known for his role as a teenaged Travis on Showtime’s hit series Yellowjackets, which is heading into its third season after landing 10 Emmy nominations in its first two go-rounds, the Canadian-born Alves previously recurred on Netflix’s Locke & Key and Freeform’s Shadowhunters.

His additional TV credits include Two Sentence Horror StoriesThe ExpanseDegrassi: The Next Generation and Warehouse 13.

Next, Alves will be seen starring in the comedy Lucky Weekend, which he directed from his own script, in his feature debut.

Shakira Barrera Signs with Innovative Artists for Representation

Shakira Barrera is ready to innovate…

The 34-year-old Nicaraguan American actress has signed with Innovative Artists for representation.

Shakira BarreraThe actress, dancer, producer and humanitarian is best known for her breakout role in Netflix’s G.L.O.W. as Yolanda Rivas, a lady wrestler.

Most recently, she starred as First Officer Jensen Corbyt in Star Wars: Ahsoka opposite Rosario Dawson and in the series regular role of Gloria, a college-educated scam artist who discovered her love for conning people at a young age, in Greg Garcia’s Sprung from Prime Video alongside Garret Dillahunt and Martha Plimpton.

Her upcoming projects include a guest-starring role on HBO’s Hacks and a series regular role on Marvel’s Ironheart starring Dominique Thorne and Anthony Ramos.

Her additional TV credits include Showtime’s Shameless, TNT’s Animal Kingdom, Netflix’s It’s Bruno! and OWN’s All Rise for Season 3.

Most recently, Barrera has been producing and creating projects of her own.

In addition to acting and producing, she is a global ambassador for the Nicaraguan Human Rights Alliance, helping immigrants coming from Central America and is also an ambassador for the non-profit, “Project SchoolHouse,” building permanent water structures in Nicaragua.

Taylor Zakhar Perez Signs with Paradigm

Taylor Zakhar Perez has new representation…

The 32-year-old part-Mexican American actor and breakout star of Amazon’s hit rom-com Red, White & Royal Blue, has signed with Paradigm for representation.

Taylor Zakhar PerezIn the film from director Matthew Lopez, which adapts the New York Times bestselling novel from Casey McQuiston, Perez plays Alex Claremont-Diaz, son of the American President (Uma Thurman), whose feud with a British prince (Nicholas Galitzine) threatens to drive a wedge in U.S./British relations. Subsequently, the pair are forced into a staged truce that sparks something deeper.

Produced by Greg Berlanti and Sarah Schecter, the film premiered in August 2023 and became the No. 1 movie globally on Prime Video in its premiere weekend, remaining the platform’s most-watched film worldwide for the first three weeks after its release.

Touted by Amazon as spurring “a huge surge in new Prime membership signups,” the film is also now among Prime Video’s top three most-watched romantic comedies of all time.

Previously, Perez caught attention when he joined Netflix’s hugely popular YA film series The Kissing Booth, based on the novels by Beth Reekles, for its second and third installments. Additionally, he was featured in the first season of Max’s critically acclaimed series Minx, opposite Ophelia Lovibond, as well as Buzzfeed Studios’ 1UP, available on Prime Video.

He was recently named a SAG Awards Ambassador for the 30th annual SAG Awards, an appointment given to actors exemplifying the utmost values of the profession,