El Rey Network is pushing into the scripted foray quickly by announcing the premiere date for the upcoming From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series as well as ordering new drama Matador (wt) to air during summer 2014. Both announcements were made by Robert Rodriguez, Founder and Chairman, El Rey Network.
From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series, based on the cult classic film of the same name, will premiere on Tuesday, March 11 at 9/8c. The 10-episode series is created and executive produced by Rodriguez, who will also direct episodes one, two and four. Carlos Coto (Nikita) will serve as showrunner.
The supernatural crime series will feature an international cast including D.J. Cotrona (Dear John), Zane Holtz (Holes), Jesse Garcia (Quinceañera), Eiza González (Lola), Wilmer Valderrama (That '70s Show), Adrianne Palicki (Friday Night Lights), Jake Busey (Starship Troopers), Don Johnson (Django Unchained), Madison Davenport (Save Me), Lane Garrison (Bonnie & Clyde), Robert Patrick (Terminator 2: Judgment Day) and Brandon Soo Hoo (Tropic Thunder).
From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series is a supernatural crime saga centered around bank robber, Seth Gecko (Cotrona) and his violent, unpredictable brother, Richard "Richie" Gecko (Holtz), who are wanted by the FBI and Texas Rangers Earl McGraw (Johnson) and Freddie Gonzalez (Garcia) after a bank heist leaves several people dead. While on the run to Mexico, Seth and Richie encounter former pastor Jacob Fuller (Patrick) and his family, whom they take hostage. Using the family RV to cross the border, chaos ensues when the group detours to a strip club that is populated by vampires. They are forced to fight until dawn in order to get out alive. The series deepens the tone and expands the storyline of the film, adds new characters and backstories and explores the Mesoamerican mythology behind the creatures inside the club.
From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series is an El Rey Network production in association with FactoryMade Ventures. Executive producers are Robert Rodriguez, Carlos Coto, John Fogelman and Cristina Patwa. Diego Gutierrez is writer and co-executive producer.
El Rey Network also announced the pickup of Matador (wt), an original, scripted action series produced by Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman - the writing team behind FOX's Sleepy Hollow. Production on the 13-episode, hour-long drama will begin in Los Angelos early this year.
Irreverent and action-packed, Matador chronicles the unlikely rise of Antonio "Matador" Bravo, a popular soccer star, who comes to be known as much for his playboy antics off the field as his dynamic 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 a little known branch of the CIA. In this modern day take on a James Bond origins story, Matador has the kind of fame and notoriety that affords him access to powerful circles of corruption and villainy. But, in balancing the dueling roles in which he's been cast, he will be forced to confront the question of his true identity... and it is this mission which will prove to be his most dangerous.
Rodriguez said, "This is exactly the kind of programming we envisioned from the get-go - Matador is action-packed, irreverent and kick-ass entertainment to its core. The K/O team really understands our brand and has the means to cut through the clutter with fresh and contemporary themes that will speak to our viewers."
"We're thrilled to be working with El Rey Network on this new series," said Orci, co-founder, K/O Paper Products. "The network has given us a platform to expand our reach to young millennials and we are excited to bring Matador to El Rey's passionate audience."
Matador (wt) is co-created by Roberto Orci, Andrew Orci, Dan Dworkin and Jay Beattie who will executive produce with Alex Kurtzman, Heather Kadin, Robert Rodriguez, John Fogelman and Cristina Patwa. Beattie and Dworkin will serve as showrunners with Rodriguez set to direct the first episode.
