Monica Raymund to Star in Starz’s Opioid Epidemic-Themed Drama “P-Town”

Monica Raymund has landed her next starring role…

The 32=year-old half-Dominican American actress and former Chicago Fire has been cast as the lead in P-TownStarz’s drama that touches on the current opioid epidemic.

Monica Raymund

From former Gotham writer-producerRebecca CutterPower executive producer Gary Lennonand Jerry Bruckheimer Television, the project was originally picked up for development last fall.

Now that it’s been ordered to series, P-Town will begin production in March.

Written and executive produced by Cutter, P-Town centers on Jackie Quinones (Raymund), a lesbian National Marine Fisheries Services officer, happy to use her gun and badge to pick up tourist chicks in “P-Town” — the gay mecca of Provincetown, MA. But when she finds a body washed up on the beach — collateral damage of the opioid epidemic – Jackie’s life begins to circle the drain. As she faces her own addictive behaviors, she becomes increasingly obsessed with solving the murder. Jackie’s forced to confront the dark side of the idyllic summer spot – all the while putting herself and her sobriety in danger.

As opiate-related overdose deaths have skyrocketed in the U.S. since 2001, Massachusetts has been hit hard, with more than 1,250 deaths from heroin overdose in 2014. The 2015 HBOdocumentary Heroin: Cape Cod, USA, depicted the dire situation in Cape Cod where 85 percent of the crimes are opiate-related.

Raymund played Gabriella Dawson for six seasons on NBC’s Chicago Fire. She was one of five original series regulars whose initial contracts expired after Season 6 and the most prominent female cast member on the Wolf Entertainment/Universal Televisiondrama. Raymund played Paramedic in Charge/Firefighter Candidate Gabriela “Gabby” Dawson.

Raymund is also known for her role as Dana Lodge on CBS The Good Wife.

NBC to Premiere Vazquez’s “Midnight, Texas” in July

Yul Vazquez is preparing for a rendezvous at the witching hour

NBC will premiere Midnight, Texas, starring the 52-year-old Cuban American actor, on Tuesday, July 25 at 10:00 pm ET.

Yul Vazquez

One of the network’s new shows for the 2016-2017 season, the thriller is based on the book series from True Blood author Charlaine Harris.

In addition to Vazquez, who portrays Rev. Emilio Sheehan on the supernatural series, the cast also includes François Arnaud, Dylan BruceParisa Fitz-HenleyArielle Kebbel, Jason Lewis, Peter Mensah and Sarah Ramos.

Vazquez’s previous television credits include appearances on HBO’s Divorce, The Lottery, Person of Interest, The Good Wife and Magic City.

Ortiz to Guest Star on TBS’ “The Guest Book”

John Ortiz has signed in…

The 48-year-old Puerto Rican actor will guest star on TBSThe Guest Book, the new 10-episode comedy series from My Name Is Earl’s Greg Garcia.

John Ortiz

The Guest Book emerged from Garcia’s habit of writing fictitious stories in the guest books of various rental cabins in an effort to freak out the next renters. Now he is bringing some of those stories to life on screen centering on the vacation home Froggy Cottage and its visitors. While the house and cast of characters living in this small mountain town remain the same, each episode will feature a different set of vacationing guests.

The anthology-style show, written by Garcia and executive produced by him and Alix Jaffe, will premiere in August.

It will star Kellie Martin (Army Wives), Charlie Robinson (Hart of Dixie), Aloma Wright (Suits), Carly Jibson (Broadway’s Hairspray), Lou Wilson (Tween Fest), Garret Dillahunt (The Mindy Project), Laura Bell Bundy (Scream Queens) and Eddie Steeples (My Name Is Earl).

Martin will play Officer Kimberly Leahy, who serves on the police force in the small mountain town of Mount Trace. Robinson is Wilfrid, an easygoing, friendly gentleman who manages a group of mountain rental cottages with his wife, Emma, played by recurring guest star Wright. Jibson is Vivian, a tough, strong-willed woman who runs a bikini bar called Chubbys with her stepson Frank, played by Wilson.

In addition to Ortiz, other guest stars include Danny Pudi (Community), Jenna Fischer (The Office), Tommy Dewey (The Mindy Project), Lauren Lapkus (Orange Is the new Black), Michaela Watkins (Casual), Mary Lynn Rajskub (24), Michael Rapaport (Sully), Kate Micucci (Raising Hope), Jaime Pressly (My Name Is Earl), Stockard Channing (The Good Wife), Andrew J. West (The Walking Dead), David Zayas (Gotham), Shannon Woodward (Westworld), Margo Martindale (The Good Wife) and Stephnie Weir (The Comedians).

Cardenas Cast as a Series Regular on FX’s “Snowfall” Pilot from John Singleton

Juan Javier Cardenas is bracing for a White season 

The Latino actor has been cast as a series regular on FX’s Snowfall, the 1980s cocaine-epidemic drama pilot from John Singleton.

Juan Javier Cardenas

Co-created and executive produced by Boyz N The Hood director Singleton and Erick Amadio, and directed by El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, the pilot has been undergoing a revamp.

In addition to Cardenas, who has made appearances on The Good Wife, Blue Bloods and Law & Order SVU, new additions to the cast include Carter Hudson, Angela Lewis and Filipe Valle Costa.

Hudson will play Teddy McDonald, a CIA operative banished to the Los Angeles office after a tragic misstep in the past. When he sees an opportunity to reverse his fortunes, Teddy risks everything to get his life back on track. Lewis will portray Louise Saint, Franklin’s (Damson Idris) party girl aunt.

Cardenas will play Alejandro Usteves, a calculating rebel from the Nicaraguan Contras movement who is determined to keep his revolution alive by any means necessary.

Costa will play Pedro, the cocky heir apparent of a Mexican crime family that sells marijuana throughout Los Angeles.

Cardenas’ other TV credits include Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders, NCIS: Los Angeles and Scandal.

Costa’s credits include Blue Bloods, Gotham, and the feature film Hamlet.

Castro to Star in Netflix’s Original Film “Deidra & Laney Rob a Train”

Arturo Castro is training his sights on a new project…

The Guatemalan actor has been cast in Netflix’s upcoming original film Deidra & Laney Rob a Train.

Arturo Castro

The film, which stars Ashleigh Murray and Rachel Crow in the title roles, centers on two teenage girls who turn to train-robbing after their moms are sent to prison. Despite the Jesse James-era occupation, the film is set in the present day, with Netflix drawing comparisons to Raising Arizona.

Written by Shelby Farrell and directed by Sydney Freeland, the film also stars David Sullivan, Tim Blake Nelson, Danielle Nicolet and Sasheer Zamata.

Castro’s credits include Broad City, The Good Wife and Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll.

Deidra & Laney Rob a Train will be available globally in 2017.

Padilha’s Netflix Crime Thriller “Narcos” Earns British Academy Television Awards Nomination

José Padilha’s latest project is earning special recognition overseas…

The 48-year-old Brazilian film and television director, producer and screenwriter has earned his first-ever British Academy Television Awards nomination for his Netflix original series Narcos, starring frequent collaborator Wagner Moura.

José Padilha

Padilha’s crime thriller, which tells the true story of notorious drug kingpin Pablo Escobar, earned a nod in the Best International Series category from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA).

Narcos

The series, which was renewed for a second season in September 2015, is up against The Good Wife, Spiral and Transparent.

The British Academy Television Awards will be handed out on May 8.

Here’s the detailed information on the category:

INTERNATIONAL SERIES
THE GOOD WIFE Production Team – Scott Free Productions, King Size Productions, CBST/More 4
NARCOS Jose Padilha, Eric Newman, Chris Brancato – Gaumont International Television/Netflix
SPIRAL Vassili Clert, Anne Landois – Canal + Creation Originale/Son et Lumiere/In association with BBC Four/BBC Four
TRANSPARENT Production Team – Amazon Studios/Amazon Prime Instant Video

Vazquez to Star in NBC’s Supernatural Drama Pilot “Midnight, Texas”

The clock has struck twelve for Yul Vazquez

The 51-year-old Cuban actor and musician has been cast as a series regular in NBC’s supernatural drama pilot Midnight, Texas, based on the best-selling trilogy by Charlaine Harris.

Yul Vazquez

Written by Monica Owusu-Breen and directed by Niels Arden Oplev, the project is described as “Twin Peaks meets True Blood” in Midnight, Texas, a remote town where your neighbor could be a vampire, a witch, a werewolf, or even an angel.

Vazquez will portray the Reverand, a grizzled Mexican cowboy who always wears his Stetson boots. He presides over the wedding chapel and cemetery.

Vazquez played the series regular role of President Westwood on The Lottery. His other credits include television appearances on Person of Interest, Magic City and The Good Wife.

Cruz Cordova to Star in Hulu’s Drama Pilot “Citizen”

Ismael Cruz Cordova has been granted new Citizenship…

The 28-year-old Puerto Rican actor has joined the cast of Hulu’s drama pilot Citizen.

 Ismael Cruz Cordova

From Me And Earl And The Dying Girl director Alfonso Gomez-Rejon, Paramount Television, and Anonymous Content, Citizen is a fresh take on the hero origin story blending elements of magical realism and gritty vigilantism against the backdrop of the vibrant world of East Los Angeles.

Cordova will play Chris Martinez, a fiercely ambitious cellular phone salesman methodically putting together an illicit drug empire with Mrs. Candy.

Cordova has recurred on Ray Donovan and The Good Wife.

Cruz Cordova to Star in “Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk”

Ismael Cruz Cordova has his walking papers…

The 28-year-old Puerto Rican actor has been cast in the upcoming film adaptation of Ben Fountain’s novel Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk.

 Ismael Cruz Cordova

The film follows a unit of decorated Iraq War soldiers who, at the height of the war, survive a bloody battle and come out of it hailed as heroes. Brought back stateside to participate in patriotic events to boost support for the war, they become disillusioned with the military and noncombatant civilians when they learn that despite their service, they’re going to be sent back for another tour.

Directed by Ang Lee from a script by Simon Beaufoy and Jean-Christophe Castelli, the film is being shot using state-of-the-art Sony cameras in native 3D, promising high resolution and an unprecedented frame rate.

Cordova, who gained national attention playing Mando on Sesame Street, joins a cast that includes Arturo Castro, Barney Harris, Beau Knapp, Mason Lee and Brian “Astro” Bradley. In addition, Makenzie Leigh will play Faison, a Texas cheerleader and love interest to main character Billy Flynn. They join actor Joe Alwyn, already cast in the title role.

Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk hits theaters November 11, 2016.

Cruz Cordova’s credits include several appearances on The Good Wife.

Castro to Star in Ang Lee’s “Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk”

Arturo Castro has a long walk ahead of him…

The 29-year-old Guatemalan actor has joined the cast of Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk, Ang Lee’s feature adaptation of the Ben Fountain novel.

Arturo Castro

The film follows a group of servicemen sent on a “victory tour” after returning from combat in Iraq. Billy Lynn and his comrades will return to battle after the tour ends with a halftime show of a Dallas Cowboys football game on Thanksgiving Day.

Castro will play Marcellino “Mango” Montoya, a steady and skeptical member of Lynn’s Bravo Company who has become a pretty good amateur politician, speaking to Latino groups in Spanish in praise of military esprit de corps.

Castro portrays Jaime on Comedy Central’s Broad City. Other recent credits include appearances on television’s The Good Wife and the features Sun Belt Express and Indigo Children.

He next appears in Mi America, Kid Witness and Memoir.