AUSTIN, TX – July 28, 2014 – (HISPANICIZE WIRE) – El Rey Network invites viewers into the action-packed world of an undercover CIA operative masquerading as a professional soccer star in the spy thriller, “Matador,” every Tuesday night at 9:00pm ET/PT. The 13-episode series, from award-winning writer/producer Roberto Orci, is the second scripted original to air on filmmaker Robert Rodriguez’s new, English-language entertainment network.
The irreverent, adrenaline-filled series chronicles the unlikely rise of Tony “Matador” Bravo (Gabriel Luna), a professional soccer player for the LA Riot who comes to be known as much for his antics off the field as his 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 the CIA. Agent Bravo, nicknamed “Matador” after he takes out a top player known as “The Bull” during tryouts for the team, finds himself suddenly thrust into a clandestine world. But, in balancing his dueling roles, he will be forced to confront the question of his true identity… and it is this mission which may prove to be his most dangerous.
Filmed in Los Angeles, “Matador” features an international cast including Gabriel Luna (NCIS: Los Angeles, Prison Break) in the title role of Tony “Matador” Bravo; Alfred Molina (The Da Vinci Code, Spider Man 2) as Andrés Galan, the billionaire owner of the ascendant LA Riot franchise and a member of an elite group of powerful global players, ruthless individuals who can impact world events on a scale that one would never imagine; Nicky Whelan (Left Behind, Chosen, The Wedding Ringer) as Annie Mason, Tony’s analytical and beautiful control agent who serves as the head of a little known branch of the CIA; Neil Hopkins (Bones, True Blood) as Noah Peacott, Annie’s brilliant but awkward partner; and Tanc Sade (The Gilmore Girls, 90210) as Alec Holester, an English striker for the LA Riot who is past his prime, but still very skilled.
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 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; Peter Gadiot as Caesar, a baby-faced former dancer who is the sole proponent of the “art” of soccer; Christopher Cousins (Breaking Bad, Revolution) as Llewyn Wayne Smith, a seasoned higher up within the CIA who is in charge of the department responsible for recruiting Tony Bravo; Margot Bingham (Boardwalk Empire) as Abigail “Billie” Fisher, a logistics analyst who works for the CIA; Eve Torres (WWE, The Scorpion King) as Reyna Flores, a sideline journalist who reports on Tony’s rise to sudden fame; and James Callis (Battlestar Galactica, Bridget Jones’ Diary) as Lucien Sayer, a mysterious figure who commands a fraternity of the world’s most elite businessmen, politicians and influencers.
“Matador” is created by Roberto Orci, Dan Dworkin, Jay Beattie and Andrew Orci (also consulting producer). Executive producers are Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman and Dworkin & Beattie (also showrunners). 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.
Through their exclusive output deal, 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.
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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 unites 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.