El Rey Netwrok cast Gabiel Luna in ‘Matador’

El Rey Network announced that Gabriel Luna (Dance with the One, Bernie) has been cast in the lead role in the network’s second scripted original, “Matador.” Nicky Whelan (Hall Pass, Scrubs) and Neil Hopkins (Lost, Detour) have also been cast in the series which starts production later this month and is set for a July premiere on Robert Rodriguez’s new cable channel.

Created by Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman, and produced in association with K/O Paper Products, the coveted writing/producing team behind Sleepy Hollow, Fringe, Star Trek and the Transformer franchise, “Matador” will feature Gabriel Luna in the title role of Antonio “Matador” Bravo; Nicky Whelan as the female lead Annie Mason, Tony “Matador’s” analytical and beautiful control agent who serves as the head of a very small and very secret undercover unit of the United States Government;  and Neil Hopkins in the role of Noah, Annie’s  brilliant but awkward partner.  El Rey Network chairman and founder Robert Rodriguez is set to direct the first episode which will be penned by showrunners, co-creators and executive producers Jay Beattie and Dan Dworkin.

Gabriel Luna is an actor/producer known for his roles in Spring Eddy, Bernie and Dance with the One.  His television credits include roles in NCIS: Los Angeles, Touch and Prison Break.  He can next be seen in the independent films Intramural and Gravy.

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. “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.

“Matador” is executive produced by co-creators and showrunners Jay Beattie and Dan Dworkin, alongside executive producers Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman and Andrew Orci.  Also joining as executive producers are Heather Kadin of K/O Paper Products; Robert Rodriguez and FactoryMade Ventures and El Rey Network co-founders John Fogelman and Cristina Patwa.