Ray Santiago to Star in NBC’s Comedy Pilot “Non-Evil Twin”

Ray Santiago is twinning

The 38-year-old Puerto Rican actor has been cast as a series regular opposite Amber Ruffin in the NBC comedy pilot Non-Evil Twin from Universal Television.

Ray SantiagoSantiago is among a roster of new cast additions that includes Christina Anthony and Melanie J. Newby.

Written by Ruffin and Kenny Smith, the multi-camera pilot stars Ruffin playing the dual roles of twin sisters Angie and Amber. Angie is the ruthless CEO of AngieCorp, who is as heartless as she is rich. Angie instills fear in everyone she meets, except her caring sister, Amber, who only sees the good in her. Amber — a pushover when it comes to Angie — is forced to step in as the leader of AngieCorp, a Fortune 500 company, despite knowing little about business and even less about the way her sister has been running the corporation.

Santiago will portray Tony, the well-meaning but brutally honest marketing VP dismissed by Angie but embraced by Amber, who is drawn to his oddball sweetness.

Newby is Amy, Angie’s tough-as-nails vegan cellmate, who refuses to put Angie on a pedestal like everyone else and instead prefers to kick the pedestal out from under her.

Santiago co-starred on Starz’s Ash Vs. Evil Dead and recurred on Bad Judge, Touch, Raising Hope and Dexter. Feature film credits include Trashfire, Sex Ed, In Time, American Son, Meet the Fockers and Girl Fight

Netflix Releases Teaser Video for Fourth & Final Season of “Never Have I Ever” Featuring Michael Cimino as a New Love Interest

Never say never have I ever to Michael Cimino

Netflix has released a teaser video for the fourth and final season of Never Have I Ever, which will feature the 23-year-old half-Puerto Rican actor as a new distraction for protagonist Devi Vishwakumar (Maitreyi Ramakrishnan).

Michael CiminoThe new season will premiere on the streaming service on June 8.

The video shows what Devi’s senior year will look like.

Never Have I Ever is a coming-of-age comedy about the complicated life of a modern-day first-generation Indian American teenage girl. Devi is an overachieving high school student who has a short fuse that gets her into difficult situations, many of which involve one of her latest crushes who may or may not be Paxton Hall-Yoshida (Darren Barnet) and/or Ben Gross (Jaren Lewison).

Cimino will portray Ethan, who arrives on the heels of Paxton’s departure to college. At the end of Season 3, Devi had seemingly gotten over her crush on Paxton and moved on to option B, Ben, to whom she probably lost her V-card.

And Devi may not even be the character with the most exciting love life this season. It has been confirmed a wedding will take place, though the bride and groom are as yet a mystery.

The obvious guess is Devi’s cousin Kamala (Richa Moorjani) and her new beau Manish Kulkarni (Utkarsh Ambudkar). But wildcard guesses include Dr. Vishwakumar (Poorna Jagannathan), who is getting a new love this season played by Ivan Hernandez; her mother-in-law Nirmala (Ranjita Chakravarty) who meets a sweet new man (played by Jeff Garlin) who makes her reconsider if she really is done with relationships forever; or maybe Eleanor Wong (Ramona Young) and (Trent Benjamin Norris). It truly could be anyone.

Never Have I Ever is created by executive producers, Mindy Kaling and Lang Fisher, with Fisher serving as the showrunner.

The series is produced by Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group, and executive produced by 3 Arts Entertainment’s Howard Klein and David Miner.

The first three seasons of Never Have I Ever are available to stream via Netflix.

Becky G In Talks to Star in Peacock’s Drama Series “Queen of Flow”

Becky G may be going with the flow on Peacock 

The streamer is developing drama series Queen of Flow, a premium adaptation of Caracol Television’s Colombian telenovelaLa Reina Del Flow, with the 26-year-old Mexican American singer and actress in early talks to lead the series.

Becky GJorge Reyes is attached to pen the script for the project, from Westbrook Studios and Universal Television.

Queen of Flow is a revenge tale/music drama about a young singer-songwriter named Yeimi — the role Becky G is in talks for — who rises to fame in the music world and finds a star-crossed love with the superstar scion of a powerful family. But on her rise to the top, dark secrets are discovered about both Yeimi and the family she’s made her own that set them on a collision course towards a reckoning that could destroy them all.

The premise is described as a “Count of Monte Cristo-esque tale set against the backdrop of Latin music.”

The series is a co-production between Westbrook Studios and UTV.

Reyes served as a writer/producer on the hit crime drama Queen Of The South for the USA network. He was also the creator/co-executive producer of the legal dramedy Kevin Hill, starring Taye Diggs and Christina Hendricks.

He began his writing career on Dick Wolf’s police drama New York Undercover, Aaron Spelling’s paramedic drama Rescue 77, and the Showtime original series Resurrection Blvd. Currently, Reyes is developing a Fat Joe project with Kenya Barris at Showtime.

Becky G’s previous acting credits include Power Rangers, Gnome Alone and Good Mourning.

NBC Orders Additional Nine Episodes of George Lopez’s “Lopez vs. Lopez”

There are more family laughs in George Lopez’s future…

NBC has ordered an additional nine episodes of its new hit comedy series Lopez vs. Lopez, starring the 61-year-old Mexican American comedian and actor and his daughter Mayan Lopez.

George Lopez, Mayan Lopez, Lopez vs. LopezWith the additional episodes, it brings the first season total to 22 episodes.

Lopez vs. Lopez, which comes from creator/showrunner Debby Wolfe, is a working-class family comedy about dysfunction, reconnection and all the pain and joy in between.

Starring George and Mayan, the comedy tells the story of a working-class old-school Latino who moves in with his modern Gen Z daughter as they rebuild their dysfunctional relationship one argument at a time. It’s old vs. new, father vs. daughter, Lopez vs. Lopez.

Selenis Leyva, Brice Gonzalez, Matt Shively and Al Madrigal also star.

The freshman series has the strongest English-dominant Hispanic index among the major four broadcast networks and is the No. 1 NBC comedy launch on Peacock, according to the network.

The show’s pilot episode is up to a 1.6 rating in the 18-49 demo and 7.6 million viewers on linear and digital viewing.

Wolfe executive produces with Bruce Helford, George Lopez, Michael Rotenberg, and Katie Newman.

Lopez vs Lopez is produced by Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group, in association with Mohawk Productions, Travieso Productions, Mi Vida Loba and 3 Arts.

Lilah Richcreek Estrada to Appear on NBC’s “Chicago Med”

Lilah Richcreek Estrada is hospital-bound…

The half-Latina American actress has joined the cast of NBC’s Chicago Med as a recurring guest star.

Lilah Richcreek EstradaSeason 8 premieres on September 21 at 8 p.m. followed by Chicago P.D. and Chicago Fire.

Richcreek Estrada will portray Nellie Cuevas, a psych fellow working alongside Dr. Charles (Oliver Platt).

Chicago Med follows the lives of an elite team of medical professionals working in the emergency room at the Gaffney Chicago Medical Center.

Chicago Med is produced by Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group, in association with Wolf Entertainment.

Richcreek Estrada most recently starred in the Disney+ series Four Dads and the Untitled Leslie Odom and Kerry Washington Project for NBC.

Her other credits include ABC’s The Wonder Years, FX’s Dave, and Netflix’s Grace and Frankie.

Netflix Releases First Look Images at Melissa Fumero’s Workplace Comedy “Blockbuster”

Melissa Fumero is preparing for a blockbuster

Netflix has released first look images at its workplace comedy Blockbuster, starring the 40-year-old Cuban American actress.

Melissa Fumero, BlockbusterThe 10-episode first season, which will be released on November 3, also stars Randall ParkTyler Alvarez, Madeleine ArthurOlga MeredizJB Smoove, and Kamaia Fairburn.

Melissa Fumero, Olga Merediz, BlockbusterFrom creator, writer, executive producer and showrunner Vanessa RamosBlockbuster follows Timmy Yoon (Park), an analog dreamer living in a 5G world. And after learning he is operating the last Blockbuster Video in America, Timmy and his staff employees (including his long-time crush, Eliza (Fumero) fight to stay relevant. The only way to succeed is to remind their community that they provide something big corporations can’t: human connection.

Tyler Alvarez, BlockbusterAlongside Ramos, the series is also written by David Caspe and Jackie Clarke who are also executive producers.

John Davis and John Fox are also EPs for Davis Entertainment.

The series is produced by Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group.

Fumero’s previous credits include Brooklyn Nine-Nine and One Life to Live.

Benjamin Levy Aguilar Upped to Series Regular on NBC’s “Chicago P.D.”

There’s more Windy City moments in Benjamin Levy Aguilar’s future…

The Guatemalan actor has been promoted to series regular for Season 10 of NBC’s Chicago P.D.

Benjamin Levy AguilarHe will reprise the role of Dante Torres who, fresh off patrol, comes to Intelligence as a rookie.

He made his debut as the character in the Season 9 episode titled “New Guard,” but first appeared in the series as Franco Chavaro two seasons prior.

All-new episodes of Chicago P.D. are set to premiere on September 21 at 10:00 pm following Chicago Med (8:00 pm) and Chicago Fire (9:00 pm) as part of the network’s “One Chicago” lineup.

The series is produced by Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group and Wolf Entertainment.

Aguilar is best known for his breakout role on Fox’s Filthy Rich where he portrayed Antonio Rivera. He most recently recurred in Netflix’s The Woman in the House Across The Street From The Girl With The Window as Rex Bakke opposite Kristen Bell.

NBC Picks Up Jay Hernandez’s “Magnun P.I.” for Two Seasons Following Series’ CBS Cancellation

Jay Hernandez is continuing his PI journey after all…

NBC has come to the rescue with a two season, 20-episode order for Magnum P.I., starring the 44-year-old Mexican actor, following the show’s cancellation by CBS last month.

Jay Hernandez, Magnum P.I.“It was a bit circuitous but we did it!” tweeted  Hernandez, who stars as Magnum. “Your love & support helped get us over the finish line, thank you & thanks to @nbc for stepping up! Time to dust off the Aloha shirt! #ohana”

With the rescue, Magnum P.I. follows in the footsteps of fellow Universal Television-produced series, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, which also was picked up by NBC after it had been canceled by its original network, Fox, after five seasons. The cop comedy ran on NBC for three additional seasons.

A reboot of the 1980s drama created by Donald P. Bellisario and Glen A. Larson that starred Tom SelleckMagnum P.I. follows Thomas Magnum (Hernandez), a private investigator and former Navy SEAL, who solves crimes in the state, after returning home from Afghanistan and repurposing his military skills.

https://twitter.com/jay_hernandez/status/1542832951708336130

Apple TV+ Renews Musical Comedy “Schmigadoon!,” Starring Ariana DeBose, for Second Season

There’s more Schmigadoon in Ariana DeBose’s future…

Apple TV+ has ordered a second season of its musical comedy Schmigadoon!, starring the 31-year-old half-Puerto Rican Oscar-winning actress.

Ariana DeBose,Hailing from creators Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio and executive producer Lorne Michaels, the series stars Cecily Strong, Keegan-Michael Key, DeBose, Dove Cameron, Jaime Camil, Kristin Chenoweth, Alan Cumming, Ann Harada, Jane Krakowski, Martin Short and Aaron Tveit — all of whom are set to return.

Tituss Burgess and Patrick Page will also join the fun in the new season, which will find Josh (Key) and Melissa (Strong) in Schmicago, the world of 60’s and 70’s musicals.

Following its global debut on Apple TV+ last year, Schmigadoon! was honored with an AFI Award, and has received wide acclaim and accolades, including a Critics Choice Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for Chenoweth.

The series hails from Broadway Video and Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group.

Paul, who is the showrunner, wrote all of the original songs for the series. Robert Luketic directs and co-executive produces. Andrew Singer serves as an executive producer, while Micah Frank is a co-executive producer. Strong and Caroline Maroney are producers.

Carlos Santos to Star in Amazon’s Freevee Project From Shea Serrano, Formerly Titled “Primo”

Carlos Santos has landed a primo role…

The 36-year-old Puerto Rican actor and comedian has joined the cast of Amazon’s Freevee project from Shea Serrano, formerly titled Primo.

Carlos SantosSantos is among a list of new series regulars that includes Ignacio Diaz-Silverio, Martin Martinez, Johnny Rey Diaz, Henri Esteve, Jonathan Medina, Nigel Siwabessy, Christina Vidal, Efrain Villa and Stakiah Washington. 

The single-camera series hails from Serrano and The Good Place creator Mike Schur.

Inspired by Serrano’s life growing up in San Antonio, the project follows a teenager balancing college aspirations, societal expectations, and a hectic home life, anchored by his single mom and five uncles.

Diaz-Silverio will portray Rafa, a 16-year-old high school junior who must balance his mom and five uncles’ opinions after finding out that he has the chance to be the first person in his family to ever attend college.

Rey Diaz will portray Rollie, one of Rafa’s uncles and the middle child of his brothers. He’s the wildman of the family. He is regularly in minor trouble with the law. Though he’s feared as a brawler in the neighborhood, he’s also the most sentimental of the group.

Esteve will portray Mike, the second youngest of Rafa’s uncles. He is a fit, disciplined, military man who acts extremely alpha male-y all the time, though nobody in the family buys it.

Martinez will portray Miguel, one of Rafa’s closest friends who is a bit of a smart aleck.

Medina will portray Jay, the eldest of Rafa’s uncles. He has worked at a full-time, labor-intensive job since he was 17. He moves through life in the most straightforward way possible. He is the ultimate pragmatist.

Santos will portray Ryan, the youngest of all Rafa’s uncles. He works as a mid-level bank teller, but he tells everyone he works in finance.

Siwabessy will portray Harris, another one of Rafa’s closest friends, who has plenty of swagger and no use for college, as he intends to inherit his parents’ corner store.

Vidal will portray Drea, Rafa’s mom and the third eldest among her and her brothers. She’s the beating heart of the family. She’s insightful, clever, and resourceful.

Villa will portray Mondo, the second oldest of Rafa’s uncles and a cosmic wanderer. His advice usually has a bizarrely comforting philosophical hue to it that rarely translates to practical application.

Washington will portray Mya, Rafa’s friend who also happens to be his secret crush. She comes from a well-educated family for whom attending college is not an accomplishment but an expectation.

Production for the series will begin later this month in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Peter Murrieta serves as an executive producer. The series is produced by Amazon Studios and Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group.