Blogamole › Martha Higareda

By Michael Lopez

Get ready America, you're going to see a lot more Spanish accents on your primetime shows. Proving they've got an eye for diversity, networks like Fox and ABC are now locking in Mexican stars for upcoming pilots and guest spots.

On the Fox side of things, Martha Higareda and Adan Canto have landed holding deals for future TV projects. Both actors were scouted at the behest of the network's new Latin-inspired casting department. Fox's Vice President of Casting, Tess Sanchez, happens to be Hispanic, as is department director Yolanda Guillen. Reportedly, they felt the need to add more Español flavor to the primetime schedule.

And seeing how ABC and CBS is working it, it's easy to see why. Way back when Modern Family started, Colombian-born Sofia Vergara was an unknown to American audiences (but not any more!). On the CBS front, ¡Rob! is scoring dynamite ratings and creating a ton of buzz for Latin American transplant, Eugenio Derbez.

So what's so special about Martha and Adan? For one thing, Higareda is considered to be "the Mexican Sandra Bullock" and has been charming novela fans for years. She's already made a mark in the U.S. too, with roles in Smokin’ Aces 2 and Street Kings.

Canto is a little newer to the scene, though he's already made plenty of Latinas swoon with his hunky characters in Spanish soaps. Adan is also an accomplished musician, which means he could be a solid candidate for a Fox Glee appearance.

So far there is no confirmation about exactly which shows Martha and Adan would be attached to. But Deadline is reporting that they are being "strongly considered" for that new drama series created by Ugly Betty’s Silvio Horta.

And though she's technically a "local girl," Gina Rodriguez has caught the eye of TV execs too. The Chicago native has been getting rave reviews for her performance in Sundance indie smash Filly Brown. So much so, that she nabbed herself a holding deal at rival network ABC.

Hopefully these trailblazers will open the door for many more crossovers to come!

Which Latin stars would you like to see cross over? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Adan Canto, Blogger: Michael Lopez, Cultura, Fox, Gina Rodriguez, Hot Stuff, Martha Higareda, Television, Tess Sanchez, Yolanda Guillen

By Michael Lopez

Welcome to your first "official" Pelis and Popcorn recap. Yup, you don't have to shell out $20 bucks on theater tickets and Milk Duds anymore. All summer long, Tr3s is broadcasting hot movie premieres right into your living room. And this week's selection is a great way to get things started. In the spirit of Niñas Mal, we bring you Charm School!

Believe it or not, before Niñas Mal was an addicting novela on Tr3s, it was major motion picture from Columbia Studios. Kind of like how that old Teen Wolf movie spawned a TV franchise, so did the film Charm School. And though the actors were different, the same bad-girl premise is present throughout.

Charm School actually has some famous faces thrown into the mix as well. There's Camila Sodi as Pia the "intellectual Niña," legendary Mexican actress Blanca Guerra as headmistress Maca Ribera, and Martha Higareda (star of Smokin’ Aces 2) as the lead Niña, Adela.

The plot is actually similar to what you'd expect from the novela, except with more mature subject matter. For the record, a heavier director's cut of Charm School does exist which reveals A LOT more of the Niñas than we're allowed to show on cable TV (if you catch our drift). But here, you'll see plenty of foul-mouthed dialogue, hair-pulling catfights, and even a Niña who dabbles in lesbianism.

Adela, the main "bad girl," is the one who's getting the most attention. Not only is she a pierced-up, tattoo sporting mini replica of Kat Von D., she's also a "First Daughter." Her dad happens to be a very important politician with his sights set on the governorship of Mexico City. But with a rebellious hija in the mix, Charm School becomes the necessity.

And that's where the fun begins. Throughout this peli you'll see feisty Adela battle for her independence against the gruff (but lovable) Maca Ribera. She'll also be partnering up with several fun Niñas who all have their own unique character traits.

Will Charm School get the ladies to behave themselves or unite their rebellious spirits even more? You'll have to tune into Pelis and Popcorn this Saturday at 11pm to find out!

Which other novelas would you like to see on the big screen? Sound off in the comments or@MTV3 .

Tags Blogger: Michael Lopez, Camila Sodi, Charm School, Martha Higareda, Movies & CineMás, Ninas Mal, Pelis and Popcorn, Tr3s Exclusives