Clayton Cardenas to Appear on Kurt Sutter’s New Netflix Series “The Abandons”

Clayton Cardenas is reuniting with Kurt Sutter

The 38-year-old half-Mexican American actor has joined the cast of Sutter’s new Netflix series The Abandons in a recurring role.

Clayton CardenasCardenas’ casting reunites him with Sutter, the co-creator of the Sons of Anarchy spinoff series Mayans M.C., in which Cardenas starred in the series regular role of Angel Reyes across the show’s five seasons.

Gillian Anderson, Lena Headey, Lucas Till, Nick Robinson, Diana Silvers, Lamar Johnson, Aisling Franciosi and Natalia del Riego also star.

Created and executive produced by Sutter, who also serves as showrunner, The Abandons follows a group of diverse, outlier families pursuing their Manifest Destiny in 1850s Oregon, as a corrupt force of wealth and power, coveting their land, tries to force them out. These abandoned souls, the kind of lost souls living on the fringe of society, unite their tribes to form a family and fight back. In this bloody process, “justice” is stretched beyond the boundaries of the law. The Abandons will explore that fine line between survival and law, the consequences of violence, and the corrosive power of secrets, as this family fights to keep their land.

In addition to his work on Mayans M.C., Cardenas previously played Diego Castillo on the Emmy-winning series American Crime and has appeared on series such as Law & Order: SVUSnowfall, FBI and S.W.A.T.

Up next, he will recur in the Fox drama The Cleaning Lady‘s third season.

In addition to acting, Cardenas is a spoken-word poet and painter whose large-scale canvas work has caught the attention of collectors across.

Carlos Alcaraz Defeats Rafael Nadal to Win Inaugural Netflix Slam

Carlos Alcaraz has earned another type of Slam victory.

The 20-year-old Spanish tennis phenom defeated 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal 3-6 6-4 (14-12) at the inaugural Netflix Slam in Las Vegas on Sunday.

Carlos Alcaraz, Rafael Nadal, Netflix SlamNadal, who spent almost a year on the sidelines with a hip flexor injury before suffering a muscle injury at the start of this season, said he felt “much better than expected” during the exhibition match in front of a sell-out crowd of 9,489, including Michael Douglas, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Charlize Theron, Danai Gurira, Logan Lerman and Manu Rios.

The showdown, the latest in Netflix‘s push for live streaming events, pitted two superstar Spaniards in an exhibition match which was rescheduled from last year due to Nadal’s injuries and arrived just in time as the two players head to Indian Wells this week.

Nadal is returning to the tour after months away due to injury, while the match was also a bit of a physical test for Alcaraz, who suffered an injury to his right ankle at the Rio Open.

“It’s a good thing that as a player I will not face him many times,” said Nadal.

“As a fan, I will enjoy watching him for many years hopefully. In Spain, we should be very, very happy about having someone like Carlos coming.

“He’s an amazing player. He’s only 20-years-old and he’s already won two Grand Slams and a couple of important tournaments.”

Sonia Gonzalez Among Finalists for NALIP & Netflix’s Women of Color Incubator

Sonia Gonzalez will be bringing her art to life…

The National Association of Latino Independent Producers and Netflix have announced the third cohort for their Women of Color Incubator, with the Mexican-American writer and filmmaker among the finalists.

Women of Color Incubator,

In addition to Gonzalez, the class of filmmakers includes Michelle Salcedo, Jackie! Zhou, Lorena Duran and Fabiola Andrade.

The cohort chosen from a pool of over 100 applications.

After studying French Literature at Stanford University, Gonzalez moved to Paris, France, to work in television development.

Salcedo was named Best New Filmmaker of the Year in 2020 and is an award-winning director with over 20 years of experience in the entertainment industry. In 2022, Salcedo directed the action feature film, “Switch & Bait,” which was shot on location in Serbia.

Zhou is a Los Angeles-based multidisciplinary artist, director and sound designer “keen on blurring the lines between formats and disciplines.” Their short Order for Pickup was produced through Hillman Grad and Indeed’s Rising Voices fellowship and premiered at the 2023 Tribeca Film Festival.

Duran is a Dominican-American director and cinematographer. Her films have been official selections for the International Rotterdam Film Festival, Palm Springs ShortFest, Atlanta Film Festival and New Orleans Film Festival.

Lastly, Andrade is a Honduras-born, US–based filmmaker “inspired by her multicultural heritage and interdisciplinary background.” Her creative journey in Honduras started as a photographer and copywriter while receiving her BA in Mass Communication.

The Women of Color Incubator, supported by the Netflix Fund for Creative Equity, provides five women of color with the opportunity, access, mentorship and production support to develop and produce each of their original short films.

With support from executives at NALIP and Netflix, the filmmakers receive guidance through all stages of the filmmaking journey — from pre-production, filming, post-production and eventual distribution.

“For the past 25 years, NALIP has dedicated itself to championing the voices of Latino and diverse creators within the dynamic landscape of the entertainment industry. Our commitment to amplify the narratives of a vibrant multicultural community is possible through strategic partnerships with like-minded visionaries,” Diana Luna, executive director of NALIP, said in a statement.

Luna added, “In a transformative collaboration with Netflix, this groundbreaking initiative delivers financial support, mentorship and development to a cohort of exceptionally diverse women filmmakers in their journey to telling powerful stories.”

All five filmmakers receive a $30,000 film grant to produce their work. The films will be presented at a special screening at NALIP’s Diverse Women in Media Forum on April 18 at The London West Hollywood.

NALIP also provided an update on the recent accomplishments of the class of 2022. Holly M. Kaplan’s “Sunflower Girl” premiered at the Uppsala Short Film Festival and continues its festival run across Europe and North America. Nicole Otero’s “Wait for Night” was selected for The Future of Film is Female Grant grant, as Otero is developing her feature film debut.

Akilah ‘Ak’ Walker and Diana Gonzalez-Morett’s “Pedacito de Carne” had its world premiere at the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival (LALIFF), then focused on their impact campaign in support of caretakers

and families affected by Frontotemporal Degeneration.

Jhanvi Motla’s “Mirage” won the Grand Jury Prize for Best Narrative Short at the Santa Fe International Film Festival. Motla was also reaped as a 1497 Features LabMentee, where she is developing her directorial debut under the guidance of Mira Nair. Finally, Frida Perez’s “Detox” premiered at 2022’s LALIFF. Perez is currently developing a show with Apple TV+ and Point Grey.

Learn more about the five finalists and the NALIP here.

Justina Machado to Star in Netflix’s First Original Medical Procedural “Pulse”

Justina Machado’s pulse is on the rise…

The 51-year-old Puerto Rican actress has been cast as the first series regular on Pulse, Netflix’s first medical procedural original.

Justina MachadoHailing from first-time creator Zoe Robyn, who serves as showrunner and executive producer alongside veteran.

The show’s first two episodes will be directed and executive produced by Kate Dennis.

Pulse will feature a mix of medical cases and office romances. In it, while the staff of Miami’s busiest Level 1 Trauma Center navigate medical emergencies, young ER doc Dani Simms is unexpectedly promoted to Chief Resident amidst the fallout of her own provocative romantic relationship.

Machado plays Natalie Cruz, a brilliant and politically-savvy doctor, who oversees both administration and medicine in her role as the Chair of Surgery and Emergency Medicine.

Bradley Gardner, Emma Forman and Michael Klick also executive produce the series, which is slated to begin production in March in Albuquerque.

The greenlight for Pulse comes after Robyn and Cuse worked with a writers room last year to craft scripts.

Machado recently starred in the Amazon/Blumhouse series The Horror Of Dolores Roach based on the popular Spotify podcast of the same name.

She previously headlined Netflix/Pop’s acclaimed One Day At a Time reboot and recently guest starred on NBC’s Lopez vs. Lopez.

Machado will next star in the independent feature The Throwback from director Mario Garcia.

Rigo Sanchez to Appear on Season 4 of Netflix’s “Outer Banks”

Rigo Sanchez is headed to the Outer Banks…

The Latino actor has joined the cast for the fourth season of Netflix’s Outer Banks, which has been a breakout show for the streamer over its past three seasons.

Rigo SanchezSanchez is among a roster of new cast additions that includes Pollyanna McIntosh, J. Anthony Crane, Brianna Brown and Mia Challis.

Created by Jonas Pate, Josh Pate and Shannon BurkeOuter Banks is a coming-of-age story that follows a tight-knit group of local teens — the “Pogues” — in the beach vacation destination of the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

Sanchez will portray an imposing stranger with a piratical nerve.

The young adult action-adventure drama stars Chase Stokes, Madelyn Cline, Madison Bailey, Jonathan Daviss and Rudy Pankow and follows a group called The Pogues in a coastal town in North Carolina where the wealth divide is stark.

Sanchez’s previous credits include appearances on Animal Kingdom, Station 19, Goliath, McFarland, USA and Queen of the South.

Felix Solis to Appear in the New York Dramedy “The Friend”

Felix Solis is making a new friend

The 52-year-old Puerto Rican actor, director and producer has landed a supporting role in The Friend, the New York dramedy starring Naomi Watts and Bill Murray.

Felix SolisNo word yet on what role Solis will be playing.

The project is an adaptation of Sigrid Nunez’s New York Times bestseller.

Winner of the 2018 National Book Award for Fiction, The Friend follows a New York writer in the aftermath of her lifelong friend and mentor’s unexpected death. Thereafter, she’s left to deal with his complicated literary legacy, three eccentric ex-wives — and a massive, brokenhearted Great Dane named Apollo.

Scott McGehee and David Siegel are directing from their own script, also producing through their new company Big Creek Projects, with Sarah Pidgeon, Constance Wu, Ann Dowd and Noma Dumezweni rounding out the cast.

Best known for his role as the terrifying cartel boss Omar Navarro on Netflix’s Ozark, Solis has more recently been seen playing the FBI’s Matthew Garza on The Rookie and The Rookie: Feds.

Previously, he’s appeared on shows like City on FireCharmed and The Good Wife, among others. Film credits include Netflix’s Tallulah and the Richard Gere drama Arbitrage.

The Gersh Agency Signs Jaime Camil

Jaime Camil has new representation…

The Gersh Agency has signed the 50-year-old Mexican actor, singer and producer for representation in all areas.

Jaime CamilCamil is best known for starring in all five seasons of The CW’s telenovela satire Jane the Virgin.

He is coming off of Apple TV+’s acclaimed musical comedy Schmigadoon!, which ran for two seasons.

Up next, the actor will be seen recurring on the second season of NBC’s Lopez vs. Lopez, also taking on a guest arc on the upcoming season of Acapulco for Apple TV+.

Additionally, he’s set to narrate and executive produce Desde La Raíz, a Roku series exploring the origins of Mexican products like coffee, chile, corn and mezcal.

Previously, Camil starred in and executive produced the CBS comedy series Broke, starred as the lead villain opposite Zoë Kravitz in Steven Soderbergh’s thriller Kimi, and hosted and executive produced the game show Lotería Loca for CBS.

He also played Mexican musical icon Vicente Fernández on Netflix’s El Rey, Vicente Fernández, which spent five weeks in the streamer’s Global Top 10 TV (Non-English) when it debuted in 2022, peaking at #1 worldwide and #2 in the U.S. in that time period.

Before making a splash in the English-language market, Camil was already a bonafide star in his native Mexico and all across Latin America for his work in Spanish-language projects both in TV and film. Some of his hits include the telenovela La Fea Más Bella (Ugly Betty), Por Ella Soy Eva and Qué Pobres Tan Ricos, to name a few.

Colman Domingo Wins GALECA LGBTQIA+ Film Trailblazer Award at Dorian Film Awards

Colman Domingo is officially a trailblazer

The Dorian Film Awards have been announced, with the 54-year-old Belizean-Guatemalan American actor and activist earning a special honor.

Colman DomingoDomingo, who earned his first-ever Oscar nod for his performance in Netflix’s Rustin, was feted with the GALECA LGBTQIA+ Film Trailblazer Award “for creating art that inspires empathy, truth and equity” in his role in Rustin.

The Dorian Film Awards are the annual honors bestowed by GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics.

Here’s the complete list of winners:

Film of the Year: All of Us Strangers (Searchlight)
LGBTQ Film of the Year: All of Us Strangers (Searchlight)
Director of the Year: Greta Gerwig, Barbie (Warner Bros)
Screenplay of the Year: Samy Burch, May December (Netflix)
LGBTQ Screenplay of the Year: Andrew Haigh, All of Us Strangers (Searchlight)
Non-English Language Film of the Year: Anatomy of a Fall (Neon)
LGBTQ Non-English Language Film of the Year: Anatomy of a Fall (Neon)
Unsung Film of the Year: Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret (Lionsgate)
Film Performance of the Year: Lily Gladstone, Killers of the Flower Moon (Apple)
Supporting Film Performance of the Year: Charles Melton, May December (Netflix)
Documentary of the Year: Kokomo City (Magnolia)
LGBTQ Documentary of the Year: Kokomo City (Magnolia)
Animated Film of the Year: The Boy and the Heron (Gkids)
Genre Film of the Year: Poor Things (Searchlight)
Film Music of the Year: Barbie, Mark Ronson, Andrew Wyatt, et al. (Warner Bros)
Visually Striking Film of the Year: Poor Things (Searchlight)
Campiest Flick: M3GAN (Universal)
“We’re Wilde About You!” Rising Star Award: Ayo Edebiri
Wilde Artist Award(To a truly groundbreaking force in entertainment): Todd Haynes
GALECA LGBTQIA+ Film Trailblazer Award: Colman Domingo
Timeless Star (Career achievement award): Jodie Foster

Pedro Pascal Earns First-Ever SAG Awards Win for “The Last of Us”

Pedro Pascal has broken the succession plan…

The 48-year-old Chilean actor has claimed his first-ever SAG Award, breaking the winning streak of Succession’s Kieran Culkin.

Pedro PascalPascal took home the Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series award for his performance in HBO‘s The Last of Us during Sunday’s SAG Awards. This awards season, Culkin had previously beat out Pascal at the Primetime Emmys and Golden Globes.

“This is wrong, for a number of reasons. Umm, I’m a little drunk. I thought I could get drunk,” he said on stage while accepting the award for outstanding performance by a male actor in a drama series for his role in “The Last of Us.”

“Uh, geez Louise, I’m making a fool of myself. But thank you so much for this!” he emotionally exclaimed.

The Narcos actor called the award an “incredible f–king honor” and he intended to thank his fellow nominees, but he could “not remember any of your names right now.”

Pascal began to thank his family who “may be watching” at home, but he briefly paused when his voice cracked and he began to get even more emotional.

“I’m going to have a panic attack, and I’m going to leave,” he concluded before walking off the stage amid the crowd applause.

Meanwhile, Jose Cervantes Jr., Liza Colón-Zayas and Richard Esteras earned the first SAG Awards of their careers alongside their The Bear cast mates, claiming the Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series.

Cervantes stars as Angel; Colon-Zayas stars as Tina; and Esteras stars as Manny on the acclaimed series.

The 30th annual SAG Awards took place across a live streaming ceremony — the awards body’s first-ever live show to debut on Netflix‘s main platform, following a decades-long broadcast partnership with TNT and TBS that ended in 2022.

Here’s the full list of 2024 SAG Awards winners in both the film and television:

FILM CATEGORIES

Motion Picture cast
Oppenheimer

Male Actor in a Leading Role — Motion Picture
Cillian Murphy, Oppenheimer

Female Actor in a Leading Role — Motion Picture
Lily Gladstone, Killers of the Flower Moon

Male Actor in a Supporting Role — Motion Picture
Robert Downey, Jr., Oppenheimer

Female Actor in a Supporting Role — Motion Picture
Da’Vine Joy Randolph, The Holdovers

Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture
Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning, Part One

TELEVISION CATEGORIES

Drama Series Ensemble
Succession

Comedy Series Ensemble
The Bear

Male Actor in a TV movie or Miniseries
Steven Yeun, Beef

Female Actor in a TV movie or Miniseries
Ali Wong, Beef

Male Actor in a Drama Series
Pedro Pascal, The Last of Us

Female Actor in a Drama Series
Elizabeth Debicki, The Crown

Male Actor in a Comedy Series
Jeremy Allen White, The Bear

Female Actor in a Comedy Series
Ayo Edebiri, The Bear

Stunt Ensemble in a TV Series
The Last of Us

2024 SAG Life Achievement Award
Barbra Streisand

Keyla Monterroso Mejia to Star in Mindy Kaling’s Untitled Comedy Series for Netflix

Keyla Monterroso Mejia is answering the Kal(ing)… 

The 25-year-old Guatemalan & Mexican American actress and Curb Your Enthusiasm scene-stealer will star in Mindy Kaling‘s Netflix comedy series, set in the world of pro basketball, lead by Kate Hudson.

Keyla Monterroso MejiaMonterroso Mejia is among a roster of cast newcomers that includes Fabrizio Guido, Toby SandemanChet Hanks and Roberto Sanchez, who previously starred in Queen of the South.

In addition to Hudson, they join previously announced cast members Brenda Song, Drew Tarver and.

In the as-yet untitled comedy series, when a scandal forces her brother to resign, Isla Gordon (Hudson) is appointed President of the Los Angeles Waves, one of the most storied professional basketball franchises, and her family business. Ambitious and often overlooked, Isla will have to prove to her skeptical brothers, the board, and the larger sports community that she was the right choice for the job, especially in the unpredictable, male-dominated world of sports.

Guido plays Jackie Moreno, a popcorn vendor at the stadium where the Waves play, Jackie can’t believe it when he is suddenly thrust into the inner circle of his favorite team. Now he has the opportunity to work his way up the organization from the ground floor.

Monterroso Mejia plays Ana MorenoJackie’s cousin who is also a personal injury attorney. Ana is smart, ambitious and always looking for an angle.

Sanchez is Stephen Ramirez, the intimidating head of the board who’s been with the Waves through generations of Gordons. He’s old-fashioned, no-nonsense, and a constant reminder of the old guard, making Isla desperate to prove she’s more than just Jack Gordon’s little daughter.

The 10-part series is written and executive-produced by Mindy Kaling, Ike Barinholtz and David Stassen, who serves as showrunner.

Guido’s television credits include the role of Mikey Gutierrez on Mr. Iglesias, a major recurring role on Perry Masonas well as Welcome To The Family, The Night Shift and Wisdom of the Crowd.

Monterroso Mejia is perhaps best known for her absurdly hilarious role as Maria Sofia on Curb Your Enthusiasm. Her other credits include the major recurring role of Ashley on Abbott Elementary, as well as On My Block spinoff Freeridge and is in post on Amazon StudiosWill Ferrell & Reese Witherspoon wedding comedy You’re Cordially Invited.

Sanchez will next be seen in a major recurring role on Starz’s BMF and in Apple TV+’s upcoming Palm RoyaleHis previous credits include Queen of the South and 2 Fast 2 Furious