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Alfred Molina is taking the field for the El Rey Network.
The Da Vinci Code and Spider-Man 2 alum has boarded the Latino-themed network’s second scripted drama, Matador, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.
From Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman (Star Trek, Sleepy Hollow), the story chronicles the unlikely rise of Antonio “Matador” Bravo (Gabriel Luna), a popular soccer star who uses his fame to cover the fact that he’s a skilled covert operative executing missions for a little known branch of the CIA. The character’s notoriety gives him access to powerful circles of corruption and villainy. The drama will explore how Matador balances his double life as he questions his true identity while balancing his most dangerous mission yet.
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Molina, who returns to TV following TNT’s short-lived medical drama Monday Mornings, will play Andres Galan, a telecom millionaire turned owner of the L.A. Riot team, who is celebrated in both the sports and business worlds. He’s also a member of an elite and secret group of powerful and ruthless global players who can effect world events on a scale that one would never imagine. What Galan doesn’t know is that there is a mole in his midst. One of his new players, Tony Bravo, is actually an undercover operative, sent in to expose him and his cohorts. As Tony and Galan grow closer, the fate of their relationship may very well determine the fate of the world. Nicky Whelan and Neil Hopkins also co-star.
El Rey Network chairman and founder Robert Rodriguez will direct the first of 13 episodes. The series will be written by showrunners, co-creators and exec producers Jay Beattie and Dan Dworkin. Andrew Orci, K/O Paper Products’ Heather Kadin, Rodriguez and FactoryMade Ventures as well as El Rey Network co-founders John Fogelman and Cristina Patwa also exec produce. eOne will handle worldwide distribution rights.
Matador will premiere in the summer following the World Cup.
The WME and Hyler Management-repped Malina’s credits also include Chocolat, Frida and HBO’s upcoming TV movie The Normal Heart.
Email: Lesley.Goldberg@THR.com
Twitter: @Snoodit
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