Sony Pictures Television Developing Drama Series Inspired by ChocQuibTown That Explores What It Means to Be Afro-Latino

Posted on September 2, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

It looks like art will be imitating ChocQuibTown’s life…

Sony Pictures Television Latin America is developing Somos Los Prietos, a new drama series based on the Colombian hip-hop group, consisting of rapper Carlos “Tostao” Valencia, singer/rapper Gloria “Goyo” Martínez and rapper/producer Miguel “Slow” Martínez.

The series will examine racism in Latin America and explore what it means to be Afro-Latino.

The new series, which was announced during the American Black Film Festival, is set in Condoto, a town on Colombia’s Pacific coast.

Somos Los Prietos follows a group of adolescent friends of Afro-Latin descent as they struggle with the challenges of poverty and racism and seek to avoid the recruitment efforts of local armed commandos while trying to form a band and take part in a festival organized by their favorite group, ChocQuibTown. Along the way they confront their family, friends, underhanded racism, violence and their own fears to finally define their identity and find their place in the world.

It marks the first cross-company collaboration – referred to internally as “One Sony” – between Sony Pictures Television’s international production arm and Sony Music Latin, which counts the Latin Grammy-winning Afro-Colombian trio among its roster of artists.

ABC to Premiere Christina Vidal-Mitchell’s Family Comedy Series “United We Fall” in July

Posted on June 21, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Christina Vidal-Mitchell will be celebrating the Fall this summer…

ABC has scheduled a summer premiere date for United We Fall, the family comedy starring the 38-year-old Puerto Rican actress and Will Sasso.

The network ordered the series back in May 2019, and had been looking to release the series in the fall.

United We Fall, which hails from Sony Pictures Television and ABC Studios, will bow with back-to-back half-hour episodes starting at 8:00 pm ET on Wednesday, July 15, with episodes being available on Hulu the following day.

A holdover from ABC’s 2019-20 season, United We Fall follows the trials and tribulations of Jo and Bill (Vidal-Mitchell and Sasso), parents of two young kids, as they try to make it day to day as a functioning family. Bill’s very judgmental live-in mother (Jane Curtin) and Jo’s large Latinx Catholic family never hesitate to let the couple know they’re seemingly screwing up, but Bill and Jo will always have each other’s backs and united against everyone: other parents, teachers, doctors, specialists, coaches, co-workers and especially their kids.

Guillermo Diaz and Ella Grace Helton also star.

Julius “Goldy” Sharpe wrote and executive produced the pilot. Mark Cendrowski directed the pilot.

Xolo Mariduena’s “Karate Kid” Sequel Series “Cobra Kai” Looking for a New Home

Posted on June 1, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Xolo Mariduena will be heading to a new home…

YouTube’s flagship scripted series Cobra Kai, starring the 18-year-old Cuban, Mexican and Ecuadorian American actor, will be heading to a new streaming platform for its upcoming third season.

YouTube is in the process of releasing Season 3 of the popular show to producing studio Sony Pictures Television amid a move away from premium original scripted programming.

Sony Television is shoppingCobra Kaito other outlets, with all major streamers expressing interest, including Netflix and Hulu, who lead the short list of contenders for the Karate Kid sequel series, according to Deadline.com.

The new outlet will have access on a non-exclusive basis to the first two seasons of the show for fans to catch up. That has been part of the negotiation with YouTube, which had ownership in and exclusive global rights to the first two seasons under the original license agreement with Sony Television.

The freshman season of Cobra Kai was a massive breakout hit, topping 55 million YouTube views for Episode 1 and ranking as the sixth-most Google-searched TV show in 2018.

Season 2 picked up following the shocking cliffhanger featuring the return of John Kreese (Martin Kove). When a new rivalry between opposing dojos is born in the aftermath of Cobra Kai’s controversial win at the All Valley Championships, Daniel (Ralph Macchio) realizes his next countermove is to open his own karate training school called Miyagi-Do, in honor of his mentor Mr. Miyagi.

Cobra Kai is written and executive produced by Josh Heald, and Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg. Together, the trio conceived the new Karate Kid storyline that picks up decades after the original film.

Heald, Hurwitz and Schlossberg showrun the series and direct the bulk of the episodes.

In addition to Macchio and Mariduena, who portrays Miguel Diaz, the series also stars William Zabka, Courtney Henggeler, Tanner Buchanan and Jacob Bertrand.

Ariela Barer to Star in ABC’s Erin Brockovich-Inspired Drama Pilot “Rebel”

Posted on February 21, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Ariela Barer is ready to rebel…

The Mexican American actress will star in ABC’s drama pilot Rebel, inspired by the life of activist Erin Brockovich.

Barer will star as a series regular opposite Katey Sagaland Tamala Jonesin the project.

Executive produced by Brockovich, Rebel hails from Grey’s Anatomy and Station 19 showrunner Krista Vernoff, Davis Entertainment, Sony Pictures Television and ABC Studios.

Written by Vernoff, Rebel centers on Annie “Rebel” Bello (Sagal), a blue-collar legal advocate without a law degree. A funny, messy, brilliant and fearless woman who cares desperately about the causes she fights for and the people she loves.

Barer will play Ziggie. The rebellious adopted daughter of Aiden and Rebel, Ziggie is going through a bad patch. She got hooked on pain medication after an injury, but has been drug-free for the last 72 days. A teenager who needs to attend Narcotics Anonymous meetings on a very regular basis, Ziggie is vulnerable as hell and needs her mother — only her mother is busy-busy-busy with her latest cluster of tormented clients.

Barer most recently played the role of Gert Yorkes in Marvel’s Runaways,and she recurred on Atypical and One Day At A Time.

In film, she portrayed Olivia in feature Lady Worldand will next be seen as a lead in upcoming Disfluencyand in a supporting role in The Ultimate Playlist of Noise.

HBO Max Developing Claudia Forestieri’s “The Gordita Chronicles”

Posted on February 20, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Claudia Forestieri is getting personal on her next project…

HBO Max has put in development The Gordita Chronicles, a coming-of-age kids and family comedy from the half-Dominican writer, Josh Berman’s Osprey Productions, Zoe Saldana’s Cinestar Pictures and Sony Pictures Television, where Osprey is under a deal.

Written by Forestieri, The Gordita Chronicles, loosely inspired by Forestieri’s life, centers around a Latina reporter looking back on her childhood as a chubby, willful and reluctant Dominican immigrant growing up with her eccentric family in 1980s Miami.

Berman and Chris Kingexecutive produce for Osprey Productions. Zoe Saldana, Mariel Saldanaand Cisely Saldanaexecutive produce for Cinestar Pictures. Forestieri is co-executive producer. Sony Pictures Television is the studio.

Forestieri was a producer for Telemundo’s L.A. affiliate where she earned five local Emmys and a GLAAD Media award for her work covering the Latino community. She is an alumnus of HBO’s Access Writing Fellowship, NALIP’s Latino Writers Lab and NBC’s Writers on the Vergeprogram. Forestieri is a writer on the upcoming Selena: The Seriesfor Netflix and previously wrote on Freeform’s Good Trouble.

Saldana is next set to star and executive produce From Scratch, a limited series from Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshinefor Netflix.

Roberta Colindrez to Star in Amazon’s Comedy Pilot “A League of Their Own”

Posted on February 15, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Roberta Colindrez is in a league of her own…

The 33-year-old Mexican actress has been cast as a series regular in Amazon’s comedy pilot A League of Their Own.

She joins a cast that includes Chanté Adams, Kelly McCormack, Priscilla Delgado, Gbemisola Ikumelo and D’Arcy Carden, along with writer-executive producer Abbi Jacobson. Melanie Fieldis set to recur.

The hourlong pilot, a fresh approach to Penny Marshall’s 1992 feature film of the same name, hails from writers/executive producers Jacobson and Will Graham and Sony Pictures Television.

The show will follow brand new characters who embody the spirit of a generation of incredible women who dared to play professional baseball. The show begins with the formation of the All American Girls Professional Baseball Leaguein 1943 and follows our heroes as they fight to keep the League alive through close games, injuries, sexual awakenings and road trips across a rapidly changing United States.

Colindrez will portray Mita, a cool, calm and collected pitcher from the Texas ranch country, Mita’s got a killer poker face, on and off the field. She won’t reveal her secrets easily.

Delgado is Izzy. Straight from Havana, Izzy is the youngest, most enthusiastic Peach.

A League of Their Own is produced by Amazon Studios and Sony Pictures Television in association with Field Trip Productions.

Colindrez has been a series regular on Starz’s Vida for the past two seasons and also recurred in seasons two and three of the HBO drama The Deuce. She was previously seen on Amazon comedy I Love Dick.Colindrez also recently starred alongside John Ortizand Judith Lightin Ms. White Light, which premiered at SXSWand won the audience award at the 2019 Torino Film Festival.

Puerto Rican actress Delgado previously starred in Julieta, La chica de ayer and Paco’s Men.

ABC Renews Nicholas Gonzalez’s “The Good Doctor” for a Fourth Season

Posted on February 11, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Things are still goodfor Nicholas Gonzalez…

ABC has given an early Season 4 renewal to its hit medical drama series The Good Doctor, starring the 44-year-old Mexican American actor.

The Good Doctor marks the first ABC scripted series renewal this season.

Produced by Sony Pictures Television and ABC Studios, The Good Doctoris ABC’s most-watched show this season after 35 days of delayed viewing across all linear and digital platforms, averaging 15.6 million total viewers with multi-platform playback.

The Good Doctor,Monday’s No. 1 series in total viewers, is the season’s No. 1 gainer in TV playback in total viewers, jumping by 6.41 million viewers from its Live+Same Day average to its Live+35 Day average. In addition, the ABC drama nearly triples its Live+Same Day adults 18-49 rating after 35 days of playback, spiking by 175% to stand as the No. 1 broadcast gainer this season.

Developed by David Shore and based on a Korean format, The Good Doctor stars Freddie Highmore as Dr. Shaun Murphy, a young surgeon with autism and savant syndrome.

Gonzalez portrays Dr. Neil Melendez, an attending cardiothoracic surgeon in charge of surgical residents.

“The Good Doctorhas been a cornerstone on Monday nights and is one of those special heartfelt series that fearlessly tackles inclusivity,” said ABC Entertainment president Karey Burke. “David Shore’s thoughtful storytelling, combined with an incredible cast led by Freddie Highmore’s nuanced performance as Dr. Shaun Murphy, are what have made this series a breakout hit over the past three seasons, and I’m excited to see where they take us next.”

In the current third season, Shaun continues to use his extraordinary medical gifts at St. Bonaventure Hospital’s surgical unit. As his friendships deepen, Shaun continues to tackle the world of dating and romantic relationships, and work harder than he ever has before, navigating his environment to prove to his colleagues that his talents as a surgeon will save lives.

Natalia Cordova-Buckley to Appear on Paramount Network’s Drama “Coyote”

Posted on February 8, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Natalia Cordova-Buckley is headed to the U.S./Mexico border…

The 37-year-old Mexican actress has landed a recurring role opposite Michael Chiklis in Coyote, Paramount Network’s one-hour scripted drama series from Emmy-winning executive producer and director Michelle MacLaren, Dark Horse Entertainmentand Sony Pictures Television.

Cordova-Buckley joins a roster of recurring actors that includes Mark Feuerstein, Kelli Williams, Daniel Mora, Emy Mena, George Pullar, Amy Forsyth, Ross Phillips, Romina D’Ugo, Bobby Daniel Rodriguez, Jose Pablo Cantilloand Drew Powell.

Written by David Graziano, Michael Carnes and Josh Gilbert, Coyoteis the story of Ben Clemens (Chiklis), who, after 32 years as a border patrol agent, is forced to work for the very people he spent his career trying to keep out of America. Now exposed to life on the other side of the wall, Ben will start to question his black-and-white views of the world, challenging his ideology and his loyalties.

Cordova-Buckley will portray Paloma Zamora, a politically connected socialite connected to the cartel.

Mora will portray Mazo Zamora, older brother of cartel boss, in a power struggle for control over the family business.

Mena will play Maria Elena Flores, a pregnant teenager who finds herself in some trouble.

D’Ugo will play Esme Gallo, an artist in Mexico.

Rodriguez is Lugo Peralta, an HSI Agent.

Cantillo will play Javi Lopez, former partner and best friend to Ben.

MacLaren will direct the pilot and executive produce the series.

Production on the first season is underway with the series scheduled to premiere on Paramount Network this summer.

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.

Adriana Paz Cast in Paramount Network’s “Coyote”

Posted on December 5, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

The huntis over for Adriana Paz.

The 39-year-old Mexican actress and dancer has been cast as a series regular opposite Michael Chiklis and Juan Pablo Raba in Coyote, Paramount Network’s one-hour scripted drama series.

Written by David Graziano, Michael Carnes and Josh Gilbert, Coyote is the story of Ben Clemens (Chiklis), who, after 32 years as a border patrol agent, is forced to work for the very people he spent his career trying to keep out of America. Now exposed to life on the other side of the wall, Ben will start to question his black-and-white views of the world, challenging his ideology and his loyalties.

Paz joins a cast of series regulars that includes Kristyan Ferrer, Octavio Pisano, Cynthia Kaye McWilliams and Julio Cedillo.

Paz will play Silvia, the proprietor of the local taqueria. Ferrer will portray Chayo, a member of the Cartel and has a very personal ax to grind. Pisano will play Sultan, member of the Cartel, he is a second generation Mexican American who has fled to Mexico. McWilliams will portray Holly Vincent, the smart, savvy, and streetwise HSI Agent. Cedillo will play Neto, a seasoned, local cop in a small Mexico town.

The project hails from Emmy-winning executive producer and director Michelle MacLaren, Dark Horse Entertainment and Sony Pictures Television. It’s slated to premiere in 2020.

MacLaren will direct the pilot and executive produce the series. Graziano serves as showrunner. Graziano, Carnes and Gilbert are writers and executive producers.

Paz’s previous credits include her Ariel Award-winning performance in La Tirisia, as well as roles in Rudo y Cursi, Spectre, Hilda and El Autor.

Ferrer, a 24-year-old Mexican actor, previously appeared in Sin Nombre, Ramon and600 Millas.

Pisano previously appeared in New York Undercover, iLove and If Loving You is Wrong.

Cedillo, a 49-year-old Mexican American actor, previously appeared in The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada, Sicario and Narcos: Mexico.

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