Small Screen: Actress Fran Bennett Has Died; Inigo Pascal Joins Monarch; Bel-Air New Banks Family Cast
Inigo Pascual - Allen Berezovsky
Broadcast: Fox’s upcoming musical drama Monarch has just found its series lead. Filipino actor Inigo Pascual, who is as talented as a singer as he is an actor, joins Susan Sarandon, Albie Roman, Anna Friel, Trace Adkins and Beth Ditto as Ace Grayson. The adopted son of Anna Friel’s character Nicky, Grayson is an 18 year old with a spectacular singing voice. His one goal is to follow in his grandfather's footsteps and become a country star. ‘Created by Melissa London Hilfers, Monarch is described as a Texas-sized, multigenerational musical drama about America’s first family of country music, the Romans. The Romans are headed by the insanely talented, but tough as nails Queen of Country Music Dottie Cantrell Roman (Sarandon). Along with her beloved husband, Albie (Adkins), Dottie has created a country music dynasty. But even though the Roman name is synonymous with authenticity, the very foundation of their success is a lie. And when their reign as country royalty is put in jeopardy, heir to the crown Nicolette “Nicky” Roman (Friel) will stop at nothing to protect her family’s legacy, while ensuring her own quest for stardom.’
Fox’s popular medical drama series The Resident has been renewed for a fifth season and has just added a new series regular following Emily Vancamp's exit at the end of its fourth season. Known for his work in Women of the Movement Miles Fowler will portray Trevor, ‘the estranged son of Billie (Jessica Lucas). Trevor is a medicinal chemistry major who has an edge and thinks the system is screwed up. He’s hot headed and passionate. He’s also a genius…for now, perhaps, just a misguided one.’ The Resident was created by Amy Holden Jones, Hayley Schore and Roshan Sethi.
Streaming: After a short from 2019, that depicted a dramatic version of the 90s hit The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, went viral NBCUniversal’s Peacock decided to create a show from it entitled Bel-Air. Recently the new Banks family and other characters have been announced. Adrian Holmes (Arrow) and Cassandra Freeman (The Enemy Within) will play Will’s Uncle Phil and Aunt Vivian. Olly Sholotan (Run Hide Fight), Coco Jones (Facebook Watch’s Five Points) and Akira Akbar (Captain Marvel) will play the Banks kids, Carlton, Hillary and Ashley. Jimmy Akingbola (Arrow) will play the Banks family’s butler, Geoffrey; Jordan L. Jones (Rel) plays Will’s friend Jazz; and Simone Joy Jones (Netflix’s The Chair) will play Lisa, Will’s love interest. ‘Brady and Newson executive produce with Smith, Quincy Jones and Benny Medina, all of whom were producers on the 1990s series; Fresh Prince of Bel-Air creators Andy and Susan Borowitz; Cooper, who will also write and direct; and Terence Carter, James Lassiter, Miguel Melendez and Malcolm Spellman. Universal Television and Smith’s Westbrook Studios are producing.’
Netflix has just released a trailer for their upcoming limited series about the life of Colin Kaepernick entitled Colin in Black and White. The cast includes Jaden Michael as Young Colin, and Nick Offerman as Rick and Mary-Louise Parker as Teresa, Colin’s parents. A statement from the big time streamer said the series will “guide viewers through a robust and colorfully presented array of historical and contemporary contextual moments … tackling the obstacles of race, class and culture as the Black adopted child of a white family” and added, “you don’t know Kaepernick until you know Colin.” Kaepernick co-created the series with Ava DuVernay. The trailer can be seen above.
Fran Bennett - Twitter
Industry: Veteran actress, more recently known for teaching voice and acting at CalArts, Fran Bennett has died at 84 years old. Member of the Linklater Voice faculty at CalArts from 1978 until her retirement in 2014 her ‘booming’ voice was her staple. “Fran’s voice was unmistakable. She never shied away from using it. And she taught so many throughout the years to find and free their own,” said Dean Travis Preston of the CalArts School of Theater. “Before there were diversity committees and personnel at CalArts, there was Fran. She unceasingly championed students, artists and innovators of all backgrounds and demanded that leaders do more to serve the left out and kept out.” Some of her credits include the CBS soap opera Guiding Light in 1965 and went on to appear on Roots: The Next Generations, Lou Grant, St. Elsewhere, Cagney & Lacey, Dynasty, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Quantum Leap, In the Heat of the Night, Becker, Community and Scandal Promises in the Dark (1979), Wes Craven’s Newest Nightmare (1994), Foxfire (1996), Leave It to Beaver (1997), 8MM (1999), The Next Best Thing (2000), Jessabelle (2014) and the upcoming The Manor.
