EL REY NETWORK and Miramax announced today that Esai Morales (Criminal Minds, NYPD Blue) has joined the sophomore season of Robert Rodriguez's "From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series" in a recurring role. Morales has been cast in the role of "Lord Amancio Malvado," a figure of terrifying cruelty and power who has a complicated and obsessive relationship with Santánico Pandemonium (Eiza González). The series is currently in production in Austin, TX. Morales is repped by Innovative Artists, LINK and attorney Eric Feig.
Morales is currently a series regular on HBO's "The Brink". He is best known for the commanding role of Lt. Tony Rodriguez in the Emmy-winning series "NYPD Blue," for which he won both an ALMA and Imagen Award. Morales most recently portrayed section chief Mateo "Matt" Cruz on CBS's "Criminal Minds." This summer, he is set to star in the
HBO Jack Black/Tim Robbins comedy, "The Brink." His work on other critically-acclaimed TV series include Showtime's "Resurrection Blvd.," the
PBS drama "American Family," the
Starz Original, "Magic City" as well as CBS's "Jericho" and Syfy's "Caprica," opposite Eric Stoltz. His career began on stage, including memorable roles in Oscar Wilde's "Salome" with Al Pacino on Broadway; Joe Papp's Shakespeare in the Park production of "The Tempest" with Raul Julia; "Tamer of Horses" for the Los Angeles Theater Center (for which he received the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award) and more. Morales' most memorable film credits include Kevin Costner produced "Rapa Nui;" the award-winning
HBO film "The Burning Season: The Chico Mendes Story" directed by John Frankenheimer; the Gregory Nava film "Mi Familia"; and Luiz Valdez's Golden Globe® nominated "La Bamba." He also starred in and executive produced "Gun Hill Road," a Grand Jury Nominee at the
Sundance Film Festival in 2011. Morales is also a founding member of the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts, an organization that promotes the advancement of Latinos in the media, telecommunications and entertainment industries.
Morales joins the returning internationally renowned cast: D.J. Cotrona (Dear John, G.I. Joe: Retaliation); Zane Holtz (Holes, The Perks of Being a Wallflower); Jesse Garcia (Quinceañera, Sons Of Anarchy); Eiza González (Lola: Érase Una Vez); Wilmer Valderrama (That '70s Show, To Whom It May Concern); Madison Davenport (Noah, Shameless); Brandon Soo Hoo (Tropic Thunder, Ender's Game, Incredible Crew); Jake Busey (Motorcycle Gang, Contract); and recent cast additions Danny Trejo (Machete, Con Air), and Briana Evigan (Step Up 2).
Season one of "From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series" centered on bank robber Seth Gecko (Cotrona) and his violent, unpredictable brother, Richard "Richie" Gecko (Holtz), who were on the run to Mexico when they encountered former pastor Jacob Fuller (Robert Patrick) and his family, who were taken hostage. Using the family RV to cross the border, chaos ensued when the group detoured to the Titty Twister, a strip club populated by culebras, snake-like ancient creatures who survive by drinking human blood. They were forced to fight until dawn in order to get out alive.
Season two explores a new chapter in this Supernatural crime saga that travels from Mexico to the edgy, tricked-out Texas of Robert Rodriguez. It also deepens and complicates the core relationships between the characters, while adding new faces and new dynamics. Season Two begins with our characters in their separate worlds - Santánico (González) and Richie (Holtz) are outside Houston, living like Bonnie and Clyde; Seth and Kate (Madison Davenport) are scraping by South of the Border; and Freddie Gonzalez (Jessie Garcia) is protecting his wife and young daughter in a Houston suburb. And Carlos Madrigal (Valderrama) and Scott Fuller (Brandon Soo Hoo) emerge from the Titty Twister, changed men. They will all come together once again - this time facing off against an even bigger threat.
"From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series" is a Miramax production in association with Rodriguez International Pictures, FactoryMade Ventures, and Sugarcane Entertainment. Executive producers are Robert Rodriguez, Carlos Coto (also showrunner), Diego Gutierrez (also writer) and FactoryMade Ventures and
EL REY NETWORK co-founders John Fogelman and Cristina Patwa.
Miramax is distributing "From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series" internationally in all territories.
