John Leguizamo to Star in Paramount+’s Series “American Tragedies: Waco – The Trials”

John Leguizamo is going back on trials

The 61-year-old Colombian actor will star in American Tragedies: Waco – The Trials, Paramount+’s follow up to the 2018 miniseries.

John LeguizamoLeguizamo will reprise his role in the new series.

David Costabile and J. Smith Cameron are among the stars joining the series. Giovanni RibisiJohn HoogenakkerKeean Johnson and Abbey Lee also star.

Paramount Network’s Waco, fronted by Taylor Kitsch, explored the events in February 1993 in Mount Carmel, a small religious community when a raid by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) on David Koresh and his followers, known as the Branch Davidians, led to a massive standoff and the death of dozens.

American Tragedies: Waco – The Trials will explore the wide-ranging fallout following these events and the uneven scales of justice the surviving Branch Davidians faced.

It will also delve into how the horrific events fueled the emerging ‘Patriot’ movement, which ultimately led to the most destructive act of domestic terrorism in U.S. history – the Oklahoma City bombing.

Leguizamo will reprise his role as Jacob Vasquez, an ATF agent who worked undercover during the lead up to Waco.

Michael Shannon, an exec producer on the series, will also reprise his role as Gary Noesner, an FBI hostage negotiator who has PTSD from the failed negotiations with the Branch Davidians in Waco.

The series comes from creators, exec producers and showrunners Drew and John Erick Dowdle. It is designed to air in 2023 to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the tragic events in Texas.

Produced by MTV Entertainment Studios and 101 Studios exec producers also include Andrew Gettens and Lauren Mackenzie, who will also write, David C. Glasser, David Hutkin, Bob Yari and Ron Burkle.

Ana Cruz Kayne to Star in Netflix’s Opioid Crisis Drama “Painkiller”

Ana Cruz Kayne has landed a (pain)killer role…

The Latina actress will star in Netflix’s limited drama series Painkiller.

Ana Cruz Kayne

Cruz Kayne will star opposite Taylor KitschTyler Ritter, John Ales, Sam Anderson, Carolina Bartczak, Jack Mulhern and Ron Lea in the series, which centers on the origins of the opioid crisis and the role of Purdue Pharma.

The project also stars Uzo Aduba, Matthew Broderick, West Duchovny, Dina Shihabi, and John Rothman.

Cruiz Kayne plays Brianna Ortiz, an ambitious young attorney.

Painkiller is executive produced by Eric Newman, Micah Fitzerman-Blue, Noah Harpster, Alex Gibney, as well as Peter Berg who will direct all episodes. Fitzerman-Blue and Harpster will also write and serve as showrunners.

The New Yorker article ‘The Family That Built an Empire of Pain’ by Patrick Radden Keefe and the book Pain Killer: An Empire of Deceit and the Origin of America’s Opioid Epidemic by Pulitzer-Prize winning journalist and author Barry Meier serves as underlying material for the series, with Keefe and Meier on board as consultants.

Production on the six-episode limited series will begin later this year in Toronto.

JD Pardo to Appear on Amazon’s Conspiracy-Thriller Series “The Terminal List”

JD Pardo is officially on the list

The 40-year-old Salvadoran and Argentinian-American actor will star alongside Chris Pratt in Amazon’s conspiracy-thriller series The Terminal Listbased on Jack Carr’s bestselling novel, in a key recurring role.

JD Pardo,

Constance Wu, Riley Keough, Taylor Kitsch and Jeanne Tripplehorn also star in the series, which Pratt executive produces along with Antoine Fuqua, who directs, and writer David DiGilio.

The Terminal List is a co-production from Amazon Studios and Civic Center Media in association with MRC Television.

Written by DiGilio, The Terminal List follows James Reece (Pratt) after his entire platoon of Navy SEALs is ambushed during a high-stakes covert mission. Reece returns home to his family with conflicting memories of the event and questions about his culpability. However, as new evidence comes to light, Reece discovers dark forces working against him, endangering not only his life but the lives of those he loves.

Pardo will play Tony Liddel, one of the youngest leaders of an FBI Task Force, he leads his team with veracity and stalwart determination. He’s hell-bent on finding his fugitive and is merciless when it comes to bringing justice to bear. But while his work is simple, his home-life is complicated, and his family is what motivates him to make the world a better, safer place.

Pardo currently stars as EZ Reyes in FX’s Mayans M.C., which was recently picked up for a fourth season ahead of its third season finale.

He’ll next be seen in Thunder Road and 30West’s thriller Violence of Action alongside Chris Pine, Ben Foster and Gillian Jacobs.

Leguizamo to Star in the Six-Part Branch Davidians-Themed Event Series “Waco”

John Leguizamo is ready to crash and learn…

The 52-year-old actor/comedian will star opposite Michael Shannon and Taylor Kitsch in Waco, a six-part event series produced by Weinstein Television.

John Leguizamo

Written by John Erick Dowdle and Drew Dowdle and directed by John Erick Dowdle, Waco tells the story of the 51-day 1993 standoff between the FBI, ATF and David Koresh’s spiritual sect, The Branch Davidians, in Waco, Texas, that resulted in a deadly fire. It explores the true life details leading up to and chronicling the standoff told from several perspectives of those most intimately involved in both sides of the conflict.

Leguizamo will play ATF agent Robert Rodriguez. Rodriguez was sent into Koresh’s Mount Carmel to gather evidence and build a federal case against the Branch Davidians but forged a bond with the people inside.

Set to air on Paramount Network in 2018, production will begin on Waco next month in Santa Fe, NM.

Leguizamo was most recently cast in a co-starring role opposite Allison Miller in ABC’s drama pilot Salamander. He also recently co-starred on the Netflix drama series Bloodline and reprised his roles in the latest installments of the John Wick and Ice Age movie franchises.

“We are thrilled to have John in this part. He brings phenomenal range and authenticity to everything he does,” says Ted Gold, Senior Vice President, Scripted Original Series for Paramount. “The role of Robert Rodriguez is little known, but utterly fascinating as he was the only undercover agent to infiltrate David Koresh’s compound.”

Rios Books Arc on HBO’s “True Detective”

Emily Rios has found her true calling…

The 25-year-old Mexican American actress has landed a recurring role on the upcoming second season of HBO’s True Detective, which revolves around three police officers (Colin Farrell, Taylor Kitsch, Rachel McAdams) and a career criminal (Vince Vaughn), who must navigate a web of conspiracy in the aftermath of a murder.

Emily Rios

Rios, who most recently starred on FX’s The Bridge, will portray Gabby Behenna, traumatized by life in a traumatic family.

Rios, who rose to acclaim in 2006’s Quinceañera, is currently shooting Paint It Black.

Her other television credits include guest appearances on Grimm, Almost Human, Private Practice, Breaking Bad and Friday Night Lights.

Martinez Lands Recurring Role on HBO’s “True Detective”

Yara Martinez has landed a true role…

The Cuban-Puerto Rican actress has joined the cast of the upcoming season of HBO’s True Detective, which will also feature Adria Arjona.

Yara Martinez

Martinez, who stars opposite Mark Consuelos in Amazon StudiosAlpha House, will serve as a recurring actor on the second installment of the crime franchise.

The upcoming season revolves around three police officers (Colin Farrell, Taylor Kitsch and Rachel McAdams) and a career criminal (Vince Vaughn) who must navigate a web of conspiracy in the aftermath of a murder.

Martinez plays Andrea, a Mexican-American immigrant who runs an inn.

She’s also a recurring actress on the CW’s Jane The Virgin. Her other television credits include Necessary Roughness, Nashville, Hollywood Heights, Breakout Kings and Southland.

Arjona Lands Recurring Role on HBO’s “True Detective”

It’s a true Hollywood role for Adria Arjona

The Latina actress has landed a recurring on the upcoming second season of HBO’s True Detective.

Adria Arjona

The second installment in the crime franchise revolves around three police officers, played by Colin Farrell, Taylor Kitsch and Rachel McAdams, and a career criminal (Vince Vaughn) who must navigate a web of conspiracy in the aftermath of a murder.

Arjona, who recently landed a regular role on Michael Bay/Jerry Brukcheimer’s Miami drug-trade drama pilot at TNT, will play Emily, Kitsch’s girlish but practical girlfriend.

Arjona previous television credits include appearances on Unforgettable, Point of Interest and Narcos.

Dawson Reportedly in the Running to Join HBO’s “True Detective”

It seems Rosario Dawson may be headed to pay cable television…

The 35-year-old Puerto Rican and Afro-Cuban American actress is reportedly among the actresses in the running to join HBO’s True Detective season 2.

Rosario Dawson

According to The Wrap Dawson is among the list of at least seven more actresses being considered for the role after Elisabeth Moss and Rachel McAdams were previously eying the part.

In addition to Dawson, who appears in Sin City: A Dame to Kill For, the site says Jessica Biel (“Total Recall“), Malin Akerman (“Watchmen“), Jaimie Alexander (“Thor“), Kelly Reilly (“Eden Lake“), Brit Marling (“The Keeping Room“) and Oona Chaplin (“Game of Thrones“).

Insiders say Moss and McAdams should not be ruled out of contention yet. At some point, Jessica Chastain was linked to the part too, but reps for the Zero Dark Thirty (2012) actress quickly denied it.

In addition to a female lead, the upcoming new season of the Nic Pizzolatto-created anthology series will feature three male leads. Colin Farrell, Taylor Kitsch and Vince Vaughn are said vying for the roles.

First Trailer Released for Molina’s HBO Telefilm “The Normal Heart,” Starring Mark Ruffalo and Julia Roberts

Alfred Molina’s latest project has plenty of heart

HBO has released the official trailer for The Normal Heart, the telefilm adaptation of Larry Kramer’s play premiered off-Broadway, featuring an all-star cast that includes the 60-year-old half-Spanish actor.

Alfred Molina in The Normal Heart

“To win a war, you have to start one,” announces the trailer for the film, which is directed by Glee co-creator Ryan Murphy and scripted by Kramer.

Along with Molina, who portrays Ben Weeks, the telefilm also stars Mark Ruffalo, Matt Bomer, Taylor Kitsch, Jim Parsons and Julia Roberts.

Set in NYC during the onset of the HIV/AIDS crisis of the early ’80s, The Normal Heart follows gay activists and their allies in the medical community as they try to expose the truth about the burgeoning epidemic.

Even though the telefilm doesn’t premiere until May 25 on the premium channel, HBO already is looking into a sequel.

Trailer for Hayek & del Toro’s “Savages” Released

If you’ll be heading to el cine this weekend, you may spot Salma Hayek and Benecio del Toro

The first trailer for Oliver Stone’s film Savages, starring the 45-year-old Mexican actress and 45-year-old Puerto Rican actor, will play before American Reunion.

Benicio del Toro & Salma Hayek

The film, an adaptation of the best-selling novel by Don Winslow, centers on two pot growers from Laguna who are muscled by a Mexican drug cartel.

When the cartel kidnaps the woman they share, the growers come up with a novel but dangerous way to pay the ransom.

Savages

In addition to Hayek and del Toro, the film stars recent-Oscar nominee Demian Bichir, Taylor Kitsch, Blake Lively, Aaron Johnson, John Travolta and Emile Hirsch.

Savages is set to open in theaters on July 6.