Tag Archives: Netflix

Heyday Television Options Four of Dolores Redondo’s Novels

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Some of Dolores Redondo’s works are getting the Hollywood treatment…

Heyday Television has optioned four novels from the 52-year-old Spanish award-winning noir author: The North Face of the Heart and its Baztan Trilogy prequel, the latter of which has already been made into three Netflix films.

Dolores Redondo

The North Face of the Heart follows Spanish detective Amala Salazar, as she helps the FBI track an extraordinary serial killer down in New Orleans on the eve of Hurricane Katrina. Salazar joins a high-profile team led by FBI agent Aloisius Dupree, whose own complicated past is entwined with the communities struggling to defend their homes as the flood waters rise.

Prior to its publication, Redondo wrote the Baztan Trilogy, which comprises The Invisible Guardian, The Legacy of the Bones and Offering to the Storm and has already been made into three Spanish language Netflix films by Fernando González Molina.

Heyday, which is part of NBCUniversal International Studios, has been busy in the optioning market since it launched, most recently scoring TV rights to Big Little Lies’ author Liane Moriarty’s Apples Never Fall. 

Gina Rodriguez Joins Voice Cast of Spotify’s “Batman Unburied” Scripted Podcast Series

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Gina Rodriguez is unburying her latest project…

The 37-year-old Puerto Rican actress will join the cast of Spotify’s upcoming Batman Unburied scripted podcast series.

Gina Rodriguez

Rodriguez, who won a Golden Globe for her work on Jane the Virgin, will voice the character of Barbara Gordon.

Rodriguez, who has featured on Netflix’s animated series Big Mouth, will play the daughter of former police commissioner Jim Gordon and star detective for Gotham PD.

Throughout the series, Barbara will grapple with her own ethics, as she tries to keep within the lines of police work yet is finding herself drawn to Batman’s self-styled method of justice.

She said she was excited to be going on this “sonic adventure” with the “iconic” role.

She joins a cast that already includes Winston Duke as Bruce Wayne and Jason Isaacs as Wayne’s loyal butler and right-hand man, Alfred.

Rounding out the cast of David S. Goyer’s take on the Caped Crusader is Sam Witwer (Supergirl) as Gotham’s cannibalistic serial killer, The Harvester, Emmy Raver-Lampman (The Umbrella Academy) as Kell, a sultry medical student helping Bruce while hiding a few secrets of her own, Jessica Marie Garcia (On My Block) as Barbara Gordon’s partner Renee Montoya – she’s smart enough to pick up Barbara’s bullshit, but begrudgingly puts up with her shady behavior and Jim Pirri (Penguins of Madasacar) as Arnold Flass, a corrupt cop who uses his badge for his own person gain.

Hasan Minhaj stars as The Riddler, Lance Reddick is Thomas Wayne, Toks Olagundoye is Martha Wayne, John Rhys-Davies is Dr. Hunter, and Ashly Burch is Vicki Vale.

The series, which marks one of the highest profile scripted podcasts to date, is a psychological thriller that takes listeners deep into the mind of Bruce Wayne introducing a slew of dark twists and turns with a number of classic Batman Super-Villains.

When audiences meet Bruce Wayne he is a forensic pathologist, working in the bowels of Gotham Hospital and tasked with examining the victims of The Harvester, a gruesome serial killer preying on Gotham’s citizens. Not only will the Super-Hero be forced to face his own mental demons, but he will also have to overcome them in order to save the citizens of Gotham as his alter-ego Batman.

Writers include Eric Carrasco (Supergirl), Saladin Ahmed (Foundation), Rebecca Klingel (The Haunting of Hill House) and Stranger Things writers’ assistant Graham Westerson.

Alex Kemp directs.

Netflix Releases Trailer for Season Two of J.J. Soria’s “Gentefied”

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J.J. Soria has the fighting spirit…

The first trailer has been released for the second season of Netflix’s Gentefied, starring the 35-year-old Mexican American actor.

JJ Soria

In the new clip, the Morales cousins (Soria, Karrie Martin Lachney and Carlos Santos) are dealing with drama galore as they fight to keep their grandfather Pops (Joaquín Cosío) from being deported back to Mexico.

The series, from creators Marvin Lemus and Linda Yvette Chávez, follows East Los Angeles Latinos on their respective and collective search for the American Dream.

Season 2—premiering on November 10— picks up after the emotional debut season’s finale that saw Erik Morales (Soria) and his girlfriend Lidia (Annie Gonzalez) welcome their daughter, Delfina. Amid all the happiness, Erik realizes his grandfather Pops (Cosio) is missing from the hospital celebration because he’s been arrested on an outstanding warrant and his beloved pick-up truck is being impounded.

Pops is now free and staging a fight to stay in the United States armed with the help of his social media fans and his attorney Melinna Barragan (Melinna Bobadilla). But will that be enough?

As the trailer reveals, he is also reunited with his companion Lupe (Alma Martinez) who is still waiting for his dead wife’s approval so they can take their relationship to the next level.

Speaking of love, there’s a budding relationship ahead for Chris Morales (Santos), the chef of the family whose talents could take him well beyond the neighborhood. Sparks fly when he meets Sarai (Ivana Rojas), a strong Latina with big dreams who is running her own food truck.

His cousin Ana Morales (Martin) continues to mend a broken heart after her split from Yessika (Julissa Calderon) whose icy demeanor pushes Ana into the arms of someone new.

 

Gentefied is executive produced by Lemus, Chávez, Charles D. King, Marta Fernandez of MACRO, America Ferrera of Take Fountain, Aaliyah Williams, Kim Roth, and Teri Weinberg of Yellow Brick Road.

Jesse Garcia to Star Opposite Jennifer Lopez in the Action Film “The Mother”

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Jesse Garcia has landed a Mother of a role…

The 38-year-old Latino actors has joined the cast of The Mother, the action film, emerging from a newly announced creative partnership between Netflix and Jennifer Lopez’s Nuyorican Productions.

Jesse Garcia 

Garcia will star opposite Lopez, Joseph Fiennes, Omari Hardwick, Gael García Bernal, Paul Raci, Yvonne Senat Jones and Lucy Paez in the film, which will be directed by Niki Caro.

The Mother centers on a deadly female assassin who comes out of hiding to protect the daughter that she gave up years before, while on the run from dangerous men.

Lovecraft Country creator Misha Green penned the original screenplay, with Peter Craig handling the most recent revisions.

Lopez and Elaine Goldsmith Thomas are producing for Nuyorican Productions with Roy Lee and Miri Yoon for Vertigo, along with Green, Benny Medina, and Marc Evans. Molly Allen is executive producing.

Garcia can currently seen in Ted Melfi’s Netflix film The Starling, starring Melissa McCarthy and Chris O’Dowd. He’ll next appear in Michael Bay’s action thriller Ambulance, and star alongside Annie Gonzales in Flamin’ Hot, the film about Flamin’ Hot Cheetos creator Richard Montanez that Eva Longoria is helming for Searchlight Pictures, in her feature debut.

The actor has starred on the TV side in From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series, finding recurring roles in Narcos: Mexico and Snowfall. He has also appeared in shows including The Last Ship, Sons of Anarchy and Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, along with films including Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day and The Avengers.

Ricky Velez Signs with William Morris Endeavor (WME) 

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Ricky Velez is ready for new endeavors…

William Morris Endeavor (WME) has signed the Latino comedian for representation in all areas.

Ricky Velez

Velez has an upcoming one-hour comedy special titled Ricky Velez: Here’s Everything—executive produced by himself, Judd Apatow, and Pete Davidson—debuting on October 23 via HBO.

On the acting front, the Queens native starred in (and co-produced) the 2020 film, The King of Staten Island. He’s also appeared in Netflix’s Master of None.

Velez was a correspondent on Comedy Central’s The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore and has appeared on Comedy Central’s This Week at the Comedy Cellar.

Pedro Pascal Among the Narrators for Season 1 of Netflix’s Nature Series “Animal”

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Pedro Pascal is embracing his animal side…

Season one of Animal, a nature series from Plimsoll Productions will premiere on Netflix November 10, with the 46-year-old Chilean actor among the narrators.

Pedro Pascal

The show follows eight families of the natural world, including a mother lioness, a wild dog family, a kangaroo joey and a young giant pacific octopus.

Each episode has a high-profile narrator who will bring to life the subjects, including Pascal, Bryan Cranston, Rashida Jones and Rebel Wilson.

The project was almost entirely shot during the pandemic, meaning the team used local camera operators to film in countries that were inaccessible due to travel restrictions.

Series two of the show has already been greenlit by Netflix and will feature narrators including Andy Serkis, Anthony Mackie, David Harbour and Uzo Aduba and will focus on dolphins, bears, birds of prey and apes. That season will premiere in 2022.

Michael Cimino Wins First-Ever Imagen Awards Prize for “Love, Victor”

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Michael Cimino is celebrating a special first…

The 2021 Imagen Awards have been announced, with the 21-year-old half-Puerto Rican actor earning the first of his career.

Michael Cimino

The Imagen Awards recognize Latinas and Latinos in the entertainment industry who work both in front of and behind the camera.

Cimino was named Best Actor – Television (Comedy) for his performance on Hulu’s Love, Victor, which was named Best Primetime Program – Comedy.

Mj Rodriguez took home the Best Actress – Television (Drama) award.

The 30-year-old half-Puerto Rican actress/singer won for her performance on FX’s Pose, which was named Best Primetime Program – Drama.

The Best Young Actor – Television award went to Madison Reyes for her work on Netflix’s Julie and the Phantoms, which was named Best Young Adult Programming.

Justina Machado was named Best Voice-Over Actor – Television for PopTV’s One Day at a Time – Animated Special, which was named Best Primetime Program – Special or Movie.

Tanya Saracho took home the Best Director – Television prize for her work on Vida; she also was presented with the The Norman Lear Writer’s Award.

Other winners in the television categories include JD Pardo (Best Actor – Television (Drama)) for his work on Mayans M.C.; Barbie Ferreira (Best Actress – Television (Comedy) for her work on Unpregnant; Colman Domingo (Best Supporting Actor – Television (Drama)) for his work on Euphoria Special: Part 1 Rue; Morena Baccarin (Best Supporting Actress – Television (Drama)) for her work on The Twilight Zone; Harvey Guillén (Best Supporting Actor – Television (Comedy)) for his work on What We Do In The Shadows; and Diana Maria Riva Best Supporting Actress – Television (Comedy)) for her performance on Dead to Me.

Netflix’s Ya No Estoy Aquí was named Best Feature Film, with the film’s helmer Fernando Frías De La Parra taking home the Best Director – Feature Film prize.

Hosted by Aida Rodriguez, Chuey Martinez, Isabella Gomez and Karrie Martin Lachney, the Imagen Awards were announced last night during a live-streamed ceremony.

The 36th annual awards winners were determined by an independent panel of entertainment industry executives and Latina and Latino community leaders.

The theme of this year’s Imagen Awards was “A Celebration of Our Community: Diverse, Talented, and United.” Each year the Awards recognize an array of Latino talent by honoring and celebrating ground-breaking performances, storytelling, and powerful diverse programs.

Here’s the complete list of winners:

FEATURE FILM

Best Feature Film: Ya No Estoy Aquí / I’m No Longer Here (Netflix; Panorama Global for Netflix)

Best Director – Feature Film: Fernando Frías De La Parra, Ya No Estoy Aquí / I’m No Longer Here (Netflix; Panorama Global for Netflix)

Best Actor – Feature Film: Demián Bichir, Land (Focus Features / a Big Beach Production / Flashlight Films)

Best Actress – Feature Film: Aubrey Plaza, Black Bear (Momentum Pictures, an Entertainment One Company; Tandem Pictures, Oakhurst Entertainment & Blue Creek Pictures, in association with Productivity Media and Radiant Films International)

TELEVISION

Best Primetime Program – Drama: Pose (FX; 20th Television)

Best Primetime Program – Comedy: Love, Victor (Hulu; Hulu, 20th Television, Temple Hill)

Best Primetime Program – Special or Movie: One Day at a Time – Animated Special (PopTV; Sony Pictures Television, Act III, Snowpants Productions, GloNation)

Best Director – Television: Tanya Saracho, Vida (STARZ; Big Beach and Chingona Productions in association with Starz Originals)

Best Actor – Television (Drama): JD Pardo, Mayans M.C. (FX Networks; 20th Television and FX Productions)

Best Actress – Television (Drama): Mj Rodriguez, Pose (FX; 20th Television)

Best Actor – Television (Comedy): Michael Cimino, Love, Victor (Hulu; Hulu, 20th Television, Temple Hill)

Best Actress – Television (Comedy): Barbie Ferreira, Unpregnant (HBO Max; HBO Max presents a WarnerMax / PictureStart / Berlanti / Schechter Films production)

Best Supporting Actor – Television (Drama): Colman Domingo, Euphoria Special: Part 1 Rue: “Trouble Don’t Last Always” (HBO; HBO in association with Reasonable Bunch, A24, Little Lamb, Dreamcrew, ADD Content Agency | HOT | Tedy Productions)

Best Supporting Actress – Television (Drama): Morena Baccarin, The Twilight Zone (Paramount+; CBS Studios in association with Monkeypaw Productions and Genre Films)

Best Supporting Actor – Television (Comedy): Harvey Guillén, What We Do In The Shadows (FX; FX Productions)

Best Supporting Actress – Television (Comedy): Diana Maria Riva, Dead to Me (Netflix; CBS Television Studios for Netflix)

Best Young Actor – Television: Madison Reyes, Julie and the Phantoms (Netflix)

Best Voice-Over Actor – Television: Justina Machado, One Day at a Time – Animated Special (PopTV; Sony Pictures Television, Act III, Snowpants Productions, GloNation)

Best Variety or Reality Show: TIE

A Tribute to Linda Ronstadt at The Soraya (PBS; KCET and The Soraya)

Shine True (Fuse; Vice Studios, OUTtv Canada, Fuse Media)

Best Young Adult Programming: Julie and the Phantoms (Netflix)

Best Youth Programming: The Casagrandes (Nickelodeon)

Best Music Composition for Film or Television: Cristobal Tapia de Veer, The Third Day (HBO; HBO in association with Sky Studios, Plan B, and Punchdrunk)

Best Music Supervision for Film or Television: Joe Rodríguez & Javier Nuño, Ya No Estoy Aquí / I’m No Longer Here (Netflix; Panorama Global for Netflix)

Best Documentary: TIE

Mucho Mucho Amor: The Legend of Walter Mercado (Netflix; A Netflix Original Documentary / A Muck Media Production in Association with Key Rat, Inc. & Topic Studios)

POV: The Infiltrators (PBS; American Documentary | POV, Pueblo Sight & Sound, Chicago Media Project, Naked Edge Film, 3DMC, Baked Studios, The National Day Laborer Organizing Network)

Best Informational Program: Street Food: Latin America (Netflix; Boardwalk Pictures for Netflix)

Best Short Film: UNLADYLIKE2020: Jovita Idar (PBS American Masters; Unladylike Productions LLC in association with The WNET Group’s American Masters.)

Best Commercial Advertisement or Social Awareness Campaign: Latinos Are Essential (Latino Public Broadcasting; PBS)

The Norman Lear Writer’s Award was presented to playwright and television writer Tanya Saracho. Saracho is the creator, showrunner, and executive producer of the critically acclaimed series on Starz, Vida.

Netflix to Release Ignacio Serricchio’s Third & Final Season of “Lost in Space” in December

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Ignacio Serricchio is getting lost one last time in December…

Netflix’s Lost in Space, starring the 39-year-old Argentine actor, will blast off on its third and final mission on December 1, and the streamer released a stack of first look images and a teaser trailer.

Ignacio Serricchio

Lost in Space is a modern reimagining of the classic 1960s science fiction series. Set 30 years in the future, colonization in space is now a reality, and the Robinson family is among those tested and selected to make a new life for themselves in a better world. But when the new colonists find themselves abruptly torn off-course en route to their new home they must forge new alliances and work together to survive in a dangerous alien environment, light-years from their original destination.

In addition to Serricchio, the series also stars Toby Stephens, Molly Parker, Maxwell Jenkins, Mina Sundwall, Taylor Russell and Parker Posey.

Executive producer/showrunner Zack Estrin explained his decision to end the series after three seasons as he inked an overall deal with the streamer in March.

“From the beginning, we’ve always viewed this particular story of The Robinsons as a trilogy,” Estrin said. “A three-part epic family adventure with a clear beginning, middle, and end. It’s also worth noting that, with what these characters go through just trying to survive each episode — if anyone deserves to catch their breath before their next mission — it’s Will, Penny, Judy, Maureen, John, Don West, Dr. Smith… and The Robot. And, of course, Debbie the Chicken. So while this chapter of Lost In Space is coming to a rousing conclusion, I’m excited about continuing to explore new stories with my friends at Netflix, and for all of the incredible possibilities that lie ahead.”

Bryana Salaz to Star in Netflix’s “On My Block” Spinoff, “Freeridge”

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Bryana Salaz is part of the Core Four…

The 24-year-old Latina actress/singer has been cast in Netflix’s On My Block spinoff, YA comedy series Freeridge. 

Bryana Salaz

Salaz, who starred on Team Kaylie, is part of the core cast that includes Keyla Monterroso Mejia (Curb Your Enthusiasm Season 11, Growing Fangs), Ciara Riley Wilson (LA’s Finest, Kim Possible) and Shiv Pai (Iron Fist, Uncut Gems).

The spinoff hails from On My Block co-creators Lauren Iungerich, Eddie Gonzalez and Jeremy Haft, On My Block writer Jamie Uyeshiro and Jamie Dooner.

In the spinoff, the stories of Freeridge continue, following a new crew of friends who may
or may not have unleashed a deadly curse kicking off an unforgettable adventure.

The fourth and final season of On My Block premiered October 4 on Netflix. Salaz, Mejia, Wilson and Pai appear in the series finale as a segue to the upcoming spinoff.

Uyeshiro, Gonzalez and Haft will serve as co-creators, co-showrunners and executive producers of Freeridge. Iungerich and Dooner are co-creators and executive producers.

Sierra Capri, Jason Genao, Brett Gray, Diego Tinoco, Jessica Marie Garcia and Julio Macias star in On My Block, a coming-of-age comedy about four bright and street-savvy friends navigating their way through the triumph, pain and the newness of high school set in the rough inner city.

Salaz appeared on the seventh season of NBC’s The Voice as part of Gwen Stefani‘s team.

Liana Liberato to Star in the Thriller “Left with Only Rain”

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It’s raining on Liana Liberato…

The 26-year-old part-Mexican American actress will star in Todd Bogin’s first feature, Left with Only Rain.

Liana LiberatoLiberato will star opposite Jordan Rodrigues, Rumer Willis and Richard Kind in the film.

The thriller centers on Sabina Geshem, a young woman reeling from a breakup, who is struggling to rebuild her once-promising dance career. After a dalliance with her ex threatens her big comeback, Sabina goes to a small town to track him down. There, she discovers his new and pregnant girlfriend, inserting herself into the unsuspecting woman’s life, and seeking something other than closure.

Bogin penned the script for the film.

Liberato recently wrapped production on K. Asher Levin’s Dig, an indie feature in which she stars opposite Emile Hirsch.

She can currently be seen in Banana Split, a Netflix rom-com in which she stars opposite Dylan Sprouse, and as McKenna Brady in Hulu’s Light as a Feather, having earned two Daytime Emmy Award nominations for her turn in the YA series.

The actress has also appeared in features including To the Stars, Measure of a Man, To the Bone, Novitiate, If I Stay, and Stuck in Love, among others.