Small Screen: Donald Glover's Mr. & Mrs. Smith; Jessica Pimentel Joins Olga Dies Dreaming; Michael K. Williams Dies At 54
Zoe Cipres - IMDB
Broadcast: ABC’s new musical drama series Queens has just cast Precious Way, known for her role on Partners in Rhyme. She joins Brandy, Eve, Naturi Naughton and Nadine Velazquez as recurring character Jojo. ‘Jojo is Naomi’s, 20-year-old, estranged daughter, who has been living with her grandmother while Naomi has been chasing after her elusive lost fame. Bitterly resentful of her absentee mother, JoJo has written Naomi off for good, and tells her so in no uncertain terms. But when Naomi invites her to attend her comeback at one of the award shows, JoJo is dazzled by this side of her mother, a new perception of Naomi that may spark their reconciliation.’
Zoe Cipres, known for her role on Grown-ish, will have a recurring role on the upcoming fourth season of the CW’s Roswell, New Mexico. Based on the Roswell High book series by Melinda Metz, the show is written by Carina Adly MacKenzie and directed by Julie Plec. ‘Cipres will play Bonnie, the other half of the duo of thieves who roll into town to hit up a few of Roswell’s banks, determined to take what they believe to be rightfully theirs. Despite her impulsive nature, Bonnie is a caring, voraciously curious woman, struggling to find her place on this Earth – something Michael Guerin can relate to.’
Jessica Pimentel - Robin Marchant / Stringer
Streaming: Xochitl Gonzalez’s novel, Olga Dies Dreaming, is being adapted into a television series of the same name at Hulu. The one hour drama pilot has cast Jessica Pimentel as the new lead. She joins the likes of Aubrey Plaza, Ramón Rodríguez and Wanda De Jesús. The pilot is written by Gonzalez and directed by Alfonso Gomez-Rejon. It will recount the tale of Nuyorican brother (Rodríguez) and sister (Plaza) from a gentrifying Sunset Park in Brooklyn who are reckoning with their absent, politically radical mother (De Jesús) and their glittering careers among New York City’s elite in the wake of Hurricane Maria. ‘Pimentel will play Mabel Ortiz, who is as street smart as she is book smart. She loves a good time; the first on a dance floor and the last off. She has opinions and isn’t afraid to express them, and she refuses to take the time to wrap them in a nice bow. Her big personality masks a more sensitive interior. She worships her cousin Prieto (Rodríguez) but, despite having been raised like sisters, her relationship with Olga (Plaza) is now more fraught.’
Donald Glover’s Mr. & Mrs. Smith series at Amazon has lost its leading lady. Phoebe Waller-Bridge has left the project in what's been called an amicable split. The straight to series adaptation of the film of the same name co-stars, co-creator and executive producer Glover and his friend Francesca Sloane remain on the project. Yariv Milchan and Michael Schaefer are also on board as executive producers. ‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith stems from an overall deal that Glover signed with Amazon in February. Under the deal, Glover is also working on Hive, a potential series that is rumored to revolve around a Beyoncé-like figure and stem from writer Janine Nabers (Watchmen, Away). The project has already begun staffing a writers room, with sources noting earlier this year that Malia Obama was among those recruited to work on the series.’
Fx on Hulu’s Reservation Dogs has been renewed for a second season. The president of original programming at the Network, Nick Grad had this to say: “We couldn’t wait to share Reservation Dogs with viewers and are thrilled that they seem to love it as much as we do. We’re happy to put in an early order for another season. Sterlin Harjo delivered on his creative vision, partnering with Taika Waititi and the rest of the creative team, the brilliant cast and crew to create one of TV’s best new comedies and a groundbreaking showcase of representation and raw talent.” The series stars D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, Devery Jacobs, Paulina Alexis and Lane Factor. All the writers, directors and actors attached to this project are indigenous. Reservation Dogs made its debut on August 9th and has received its renewal midway through the eight episode run.
Michael K. Williams - Rodrigo Varela / Stringer
Industry: ‘Michael K. Williams, the mesmerizing actor and five-time Emmy nominee best known for his role as Baltimore stick-up man Omar Little on HBO’s The Wire, has died.’ He was only 54 years old. Marianna Shafran of Shafran PR said this about the news “It is with deep sorrow that the family announces the passing of Emmy-nominated actor Michael Kenneth Williams. They ask for your privacy while grieving this insurmountable loss.” His body was found Labor Day afternoon in his Brooklyn apartment however, no cause of death has been released at this time. ‘More recently, Williams portrayed Montrose Freeman on HBO’s Lovecraft Country — for which he received a 2021 Emmy nomination for outstanding supporting actor in a drama series (the awards are Sept. 19) — and Bobby McCray, the father of Antron McCray (Caleel Harris), who convinced his son to sign a false confession, in Ava DuVernay’s 2019 Netflix miniseries about the Central Park Five, When They See Us. The gravelly-voiced Williams also starred as angry Vietnam veteran Leonard Pine for three seasons (2016-18) on the SundanceTV drama Hap and Leonard, racketeer Chalky White on HBO’s Boardwalk Empire from 2010-14 and inmate Freddy Knight in 2016 miniseries The Night Of, also for HBO.’ The network released this statement: “We are devastated to learn of the passing of Michael Kenneth Williams, a member of the HBO family for more than 20 years. While the world is aware of his immense talents as an artist, we knew Michael as a dear friend who was beloved by all who had the privilege to work with him. We send our deepest condolences to his family for this immeasurable loss.”
