TCA: El Rey Renews "Matador" for Season 2
by THE DEADLINE TEAM
July 10, 2014


In advance of the series’ July 15 premiere, El Rey Network said during today’s TCA session that it has ordered a 13-episode second season of the soccer-themed spy thriller "Matador", from writer-producer Roberto Orci.

A sneak peek of the premiere episode becomes available this week on iTunes, Vudu, Xbox 360 and other platforms. The move comes after the nacent network in March renewed its first original scripted series, "From Dusk Til Dawn: The Series", two weeks into its run.





Gabriel Luna stars in "Matador" as Antonio “Matador” Bravo, a soccer star who in reality uses his sports career for a cover as a skilled covert operative executing missions for a little-known branch of the CIA.

Alfred Molina, Nicky Whelan, Neil Hopkins, Tanc Sade, Yvette Monreal, Elizabeth Peña, Julio Oscar Mechoso, Louis Ozawa Changchien, Sammi Rotibi, Jonny Cruz, Isabella Gomez and Peter Gadiot co-star.

Dan Dworkin and Jay Beattie are showrunning and exec producing along with Orci, Alex Kurtzman and consulting producer Andrew Orci.





The creative team weighed in on the network’s decision to order a second season of the show before the July 15 series debut.

“It just fit in with what we wanted to do … this is why I created the network,” said Robert Rodriguez, who trumpeted the network’s commitment to diversity by saying that at least 50% of the network’s talent both in front of and behind the camera is diverse.

“We are so happy with the season already, we are on episode 11. It fits right in with our network. It’s kickass, the characters are really engaging, it’s your dream kind of show to do.”

http://www.deadline.com/2014/07/matador-renewed-season-2-el-rey-network/

"Matador" Canceled by El Rey Network after One Season
by Nellie Andreeva
November 28, 2014


Robert Rodriguez‘s El Rey Network has opted not to move forward with a second season of its original action drama series "Matador". Launched in July, following the World Cup, "Matador" starred Gabriel Luna as a DEA agent recruited by the CIA to go undercover as a professional soccer player.

The series, whose 13-episode first season ended its run in October, was created by Bob Orci and Alex Kurtzman, with Rodriguez directing the opening hour.

I hear "Matador", an expensive production shot in Los Angeles and backed by El Rey, did OK in its U.S. run. But the series, described as a Latino take on James Bond, did not do as well as its producers had hoped internationally where its sales were soft despite a strong initial interest, leading to the decision not to proceed with Season 2.





“Ultimately it was a business decision but to be clear, we were very proud of the series on every level-creatively it hit the mark and we are gratified that it celebrated diversity in front of the cameras and behind the scenes,” El Rey said in a statement.

“We want to thank everyone involved, from the extraordinarily talented cast and crew to the amazing production team. We appreciate all that they have done and look forward to the opportunity to work with them in the future.”

http://deadline.com/2014/11/matador-cancelled-el-rey-season-1-1201300798/