EL REY NETWORK CASTS GABRIEL LUNA AS LEAD IN KURTZMAN/ORCI ORIGINAL, "MATADOR"

NICKY WHELAN AND NEIL HOPKINS ALSO SIGNED FOR NEW ACTION SERIES PREMIERING THIS JULY ON ROBERT RODRIGUEZ'S NEW CABLE NETWORK

New Series is First Project Under Recently-Inked International Distribution Deal With Entertainment One

New York - March 5, 2014 --El Rey Network announced today 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.

Nicky Whelan can currently be seen starring in the second season of Crackle's Chosen opposite Milo Ventimigllia. She stars in Left Behind opposite Nicholas Cage, out September 2014 and will next be seen in the Terrence Malick film Knight of Cups. Nicky recently wrapped a showy supporting lead playing Nadia, "The Hottest Girl in the World," in The Wedding Ringer opposite Kevin Hart, Vince Vaughn and Josh Gad, set for release in 2015. Nicky Whelan first garnered attention on the Australian hit Neighbours and has since been a mainstay in American comedy, with stints on Scrubs, Workaholics and as one of leads in the feature comedy Hall Pass, playing the object of Owen Wilson's desire.

Best known for his recurring role as Liam, the junkie rockstar brother of Charlie (Dominic Monaghan) on the fan favorite series Lost, Neil Hopkins also appeared on the Emmy-nominated Big Love and the Lifetime series Witches of East End. In addition, he was seen as a guest star on series including Grimm, True Blood, and The Mentalist. Last year Neil received rave reviews in for his work in the 2013 indie feature Detour, which he also co-produced. He is also the co-creator of the comedy web series Neil & John (with long-time collaborator John Forest), which they are currently developing into a TV series. Hopkins is represented by SDB Partners and The Coronel Group.

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.

Entertainment One Television (eOne) exclusively represents worldwide distribution rights (with the exception of U.S. broadcast network rights) for El Rey Network's "Matador" and other original scripted series created for the U.S based cable network, to be announced.

About El Rey Network:

El Rey Network is a new 24-hour English-language network founded by maverick filmmaker Robert Rodriguez. Curated by Rodriguez and his artistic collective, the network will unite the most culturally diverse generation in history through fearless, badass and original content that awakens the renegade in everyone. The network's action-packed content is anchored by original signature dramas, feature films, grindhouse genre, cult classic action and horror/sci-fi. El Rey Network LLC (www.elreynetwork.com) is jointly owned by Robert Rodriguez and FactoryMade Ventures with a minority stake held by Univision Communications Inc.

About FactoryMade Ventures:

Founded by John Fogelman and Cristina Patwa, FactoryMade develops, produces and oversees media and entertainment franchises in partnership with leading Hollywood talent and global brands and investors. The company founded El Rey Network and Tres Pistoleros Studios with renowned filmmaker Robert Rodriguez and Univision Communications, Inc. It also forged a joint venture with leading Mexican wrestling league Lucha Libre AAA and four-time Emmy(R) Award winner Mark Burnett and Hearst Corporation's One Three Media. It executive produces a slate of scripted and non-scripted television shows including From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series, the remake of the cult classic by Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino, and Matador, an original production with Bob Orci and Alex Kurtzman. Previously, the team spearheaded the creation of Hasbro's film business and television business with Transformers, G.I. Joe, Hasbro Studios and the Hub Network with Discovery Communications, and created retail's first digital gaming and commerce platform HSN Arcade.

About Entertainment One

Entertainment One Ltd. (LSE: ETO) is a leading international entertainment company that specializes in the acquisition, production and distribution of film and television content. The company's comprehensive network extends around the globe including Canada, the U.S., the UK, Ireland, Spain, Benelux, France, Germany, Scandinavia, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and South Korea. Through established Entertainment and Distribution divisions, the company provides extensive expertise in film distribution, television and music production, family programming and merchandising and licensing. Its current rights library is exploited across all media formats and includes more than 35,000 film and television titles, 2,800 hours of television programming and 45,000 music tracks. Through strong relationships with broadcasters and content providers, eOne Television International has successfully sold eOne's original and third-party productions to over 500 broadcasters in 150 countries, including key US networks and international pay TV channels.