Photo of Polseres Vermelles the Spanish TV Show
Director Alfonso Gomez-Rejon to guide the multi-cultural Cast
By Bel Hernandez
The cast has come together and the shooting of the ABC TV pilot The Red Band Society has begun. Based on the Spanish Catalan TV show, Polseres Vermelles, created by Albert Espinoza, the rights to the story were optioned by Sergio Aguero (Y Tu Mama Tambien, Aztec Warrior). Partnering up with Amblin’s Steven Spielberg, Justin Favley and Darryl Frank to executive produce along with Margaret Nagle who also wrote the pilot, the journey to production began
Director Alfonso Gomez-Rejon
Red Band Society, which has been ordered as a series prototype, with additional scripts, focuses on a group of six teens who meet and bond as patients in the children’s wing of a hospital. The story takes place in Los Angeles and as such everyone involved starting with scribe Nagle, Amblin, and FOX are committed to reflecting the true face of L.A., beginning with their choice for director.
At helm will be Alfonso Gomez-Rejon (American Horror Story, Glee, Argo – as 2nd unit director), whose work on film and TV has caught the attention of many in Hollywood. He brings, not only his talent, but his own inside perspective to the table.
Nolan A. Sotillo
First announced to join the cast was Academy Award winner Octavia Spencer, who will be playing one of the leads, a no-nonsense, strong-willed nurse. But at the heart of the story are the patients and we have learned that actor Nolan A. Sotillo, star of the Disney series Corey and Lucas for the win and the film Prom, has landed one of those roles as well Brian Bradley, the rapper known as Astro and a former contestant of the X-Factor.
Belita Moreno
Belita Moreno (George Lopez) has been cast as one of two key doctors in the pilot. Wilson Cruz (Hustling, He’s Just Not That Into You) plays a trusted male nurse in the pediatric ward and Dave Annable also landed a role of a pediatric oncologist and surgeon.
The cast also has Asian characters, the casting of which is not yet known.
With Latinos making up 45% of the L.A. population, it’s good to know that they will be playing significant roles as doctors on TV, as they exist in real life; and caring for patients that make up a microcosm of the multicultural world we live in. Executive producer Sergio Aguero idea to bring this story to L.A. was perfect timing.
We hope to see this series make it to the FOX lineup in 2015. Kudos to both ABC and FOX for going multi-cultural.
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