FX’s highly-anticipatedSons of Anarchy spin-offentitledMayans MCis starting to come together, with another integral cast member signing on.John Ortizhas taken a lead role in the upcoming series, playing Esai “Taino” Osorio, the president of theMayans MCSanto Padre Charter. The series lead character, EZ Reyes, a prospect in this club, has still not been cast at this time, butJohn Ortizjoins a growing cast that includesEdward James OlmossandClayton Cardenas.
Deadlinereports that Esai “Taino” Osorio, is a “Mexi-Rican” who was born in the Bronx, before being sent to Oakland. There he lived with his cousin, Marcus Alvarez, founder and National President of Mayans MC. Esai is described, “as smart as he is deadly,” just like his cousin.Edward James Olmossis playing EZ Reyes' father Felipe who tries to set his son on a “lawful and righteous path.“Clayton Cardenasis playing EZ’s brother Angel Reyes, who is a “full patch member” of theMayans MCSanto Padre chapter and is said to live with the burden of being the “lesser son” in a “proud Mexican family.”
The series is set after the events of theSons of Anarchyfinale, whereCharlie Hunnam’s Jax Teller was killed, centering on EZ Reyes, a prospect in the Mayans MC chapter that sits on the California and Mexico border. Reyes is caught between his desire for vengeance against the cartel and trying to earn respect from the many women he loves.The Mayanswere recurring and pivotal players in Sons of Anarchy throughout the show’s seven-year run on FX Networks. It hasn’t been confirmed yet if any of the Mayans from SOA will return, but that may be possible.
Back in November,Emilio Rivera, the actor who played the Northern California Mayans leader Rivera onSons of Anarchy, teased that his character may return for the spin-off. At the time, though, there were rumors that the show was actually set in the 1970s or 1980s when Jax was still a boy, but now we know that isn’t the case. Since this spin-off is set after SOA, it’s possible that Rivera may make his return, but since this show is set in Southern California, on the Cali-Mexico border, we may not see much of Rivera if he’s still running the Northern Cali Mayans. As of now, he hasn’t been confirmed to return quite yet.
Sons of AnarchycreatorKurt Sutterreturns to that motorcycle world withMayans MC, a drama series for FX that represents the next chapter in the SOA saga.Kurt Sutterco-wrote the pilot script with producing partnerElgin James.Kurt Sutterwill direct the pilot episode and serve as Executive Producer, withJamesserving as Co-Executive Producer. The pilot is being produced by Fox 21 Television Studios and FX Productions, with production scheduled to begin in March.John Ortizis no stranger to the small screen, having previously starred in HBO’sLuckandTogetherness, along with Fox’sRake, but he is best known for his big screen work. The actor will next be seen inKong: Skull Island, hitting theaters March 10, and in the remakeGoing in Style, arriving April 7.
