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[04/03/14 - 01:40 PM]
El Rey Network "Kicks Off" Production in Los Angeles on "Matador"; Signs Additional Cast to Appear in New K/O Paper Products' Action Series
Tanc Sade will play Alec Holester, an English striker for the LA Riot who is past his prime, but still very skilled.

[via press release from El Rey Network]

EL REY NETWORK "KICKS OFF" PRODUCTION IN LOS ANGELES ON "MATADOR"; SIGNS ADDITIONAL CAST TO APPEAR IN NEW K/O PAPER PRODUCTS' ACTION SERIES

Hour-Long Original To Premiere July 2014 on Robert Rodriguez's New Cable Network

Chronicling The Secret and Undercover Life of Soccer Star Tony "Matador" Bravo, Series To Be Distributed Internationally By Entertainment One

New York, April 3, 2014 - El Rey Network today announced the start of production in Los Angeles on the cable channel's second scripted original, "Matador," and announced additional cast members including Tanc Sade (The Mentalist, Gilmore Girls) in the lead role of Alec Holester. The new action series, from executive producers Roberto Orci & Alex Kurtzman (the coveted writing/producing team behind Sleepy Hollow, Fringe, Star Trek and Transformers franchises) is set to debut this July on Robert Rodriguez's new cable network and is comprised of 13 hour-long episodes.

Sade's character, Holester, is an English striker for the LA Riot who is past his prime, but still very skilled. Scoring eight goals for Team England in the last World Cup, he's been on top of the sports world for years and is wryly amused by his own talent for living in the limelight with a girl on each arm. In addition to Sade, recurring cast includes: Yvette Monreal (Off The Grid, Awkward) as Senna Galan, a celebutante and daughter of LA Riot team owner Andrés Galan, who relishes her every opportunity to play rough off the field and get the players in trouble; Elizabeth Peña (Tortilla Soup, Modern Family) as Maritza Sandoval, proud mother of Tony, Ricky and Cristina; Julio Oscar Mechoso (Machete Kills, Little Miss Sunshine) as Javi Sandoval, a notario and a sturdy family man with a stable, routinized life who is married to Maritza, Tony's mother; Louis Ozawa Changchien (The Bourne Legacy, Predators) as Samuel, the intimidating, creepy 20-something who is a criminal errand boy for Galan; Sammi Rotibi (Django Unchained, Lord of Ward) as Didi Akinyele, the wise Assistant Head Coach for the LA Riot; Jonny Cruz (Small Timers, Cool Wheels) as Ricky Sandoval, Tony's younger half-brother who is currently in prison; Isabella Gomez as Cristina Sandoval, Tony's energetic teenage half-sister; and Peter Gadiot as Caesar, a baby-faced former dancer who is the sole proponent of the "art" of soccer.

They join previously announced cast: Gabriel Luna as Tony "Matador" Bravo, Alfred Molina as Andrés Galan, Nicky Whelan as Annie Mason and Neil Hopkins as Noah Peacott. Robert Rodriguez, El Rey Network's chairman and founder, is set to direct the first episode which will be penned by showrunners, co-creators and executive producers Dan Dworkin & Jay Beattie.

Irreverent and action-packed, "Matador" chronicles the unlikely rise of Tony "Matador" Bravo, a popular soccer star who comes to be known as much for his playboy antics off the field as his dynamic moves on it. But what his fans and family don't realize is that it's all a cover - in truth, he is a skilled covert operative executing missions for a little-known branch of the CIA. "Matador" has the kind of fame and notoriety that affords him access to powerful circles of corruption and villainy. But, in balancing the dueling roles in which he's been cast, he will be forced to confront the question of his true identity... and it is this mission which will prove to be his most dangerous.

"Matador" is created by Roberto Orci, Dan Dworkin, Jay Beattie and Andrew Orci. Executive producers are Dworkin & Beattie, also showrunners, alongside executive producers Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman and consulting producer Andrew Orci. Also joining as executive producers are Heather Kadin of K/O Paper Products; El Rey Network co-founder Robert Rodriguez; and FactoryMade Ventures and El Rey Network co-founders John Fogelman and Cristina Patwa.

Entertainment One Television (eOne) exclusively represents worldwide distribution rights (with the exception of U.S. broadcast network rights) for El Rey Network's "Matador" and other original scripted series created for the U.S based cable network, to be announced.

About El Rey Network:

El Rey Network is a new 24-hour English-language network founded by maverick filmmaker Robert Rodriguez. Curated by Rodriguez and his artistic collective, the network will unite the most culturally diverse generation in history through fearless, badass and original content that awakens the renegade in everyone. The network's action-packed content is anchored by original signature dramas, feature films, grindhouse genre, cult classic action and horror/sci-fi. El Rey Network LLC (www.elreynetwork.com) is jointly owned by Robert Rodriguez and FactoryMade Ventures with a minority stake held by Univision Networks & Studios, Inc.

About FactoryMade Ventures:

Founded by John Fogelman and Cristina Patwa, FactoryMade develops, produces and oversees media and entertainment franchises in partnership with leading Hollywood talent and global brands and investors. The company founded El Rey Network and Tres Pistoleros Studios with renowned filmmaker Robert Rodriguez and Univision Communications, Inc. It also forged a joint venture with leading Mexican wrestling league Lucha Libre AAA and four-time Emmy(R) Award winner Mark Burnett and Hearst Corporation's One Three Media. It executive produces a slate of scripted and non-scripted television shows including From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series, the remake of the cult classic by Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino, and Matador, an original production with Bob Orci and Alex Kurtzman. Previously, the team spearheaded the creation of Hasbro's film business and television business with Transformers, G.I. Joe, Hasbro Studios and the Hub Network with Discovery Communications, and created retail's first digital gaming and commerce platform HSN Arcade.

About Entertainment One:

Entertainment One Ltd. (LSE: ETO) is a leading international entertainment company that specializes in the acquisition, production and distribution of film and television content. The company's comprehensive network extends around the globe including Canada, the U.S., the UK, Ireland, Spain, Benelux, France, Germany, Scandinavia, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and South Korea. Through established Entertainment and Distribution divisions, the company provides extensive expertise in film distribution, television and music production, family programming and merchandising and licensing. Its current rights library is exploited across all media formats and includes more than 35,000 film and television titles, 2,800 hours of television programming and 45,000 music tracks. Through strong relationships with broadcasters and content providers, eOne Television International has successfully sold eOne's original and third-party productions to over 500 broadcasters in 150 countries, including key US networks and international pay TV channels.





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· MATADOR (EL REY)





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