For over twenty years, director Robert Rodriguez has been one of the most unique voices in Hollywood with unconventional hit films including
Sin City ,
Desperado ,
Spy Kids ,
Machete ,
The Faculty and
Once Upon a Time In Mexico . But later this month, Rodriguez will take his career in a bold new direction as the founder of the
El Rey Network . And for El Rey’s first original series, Rodriguez is adapting one of his own films into an epic ten episode TV series.
Back in 1996, Rodriguez collaborated with Quentin Tarantino on From Dusk Till Dawn , with Tarantino in a leading role opposite George Clooney as the Gecko bros., a criminal duo who hijack a family while attempting to sneak into Mexico. But once there, the Geckos and their would-be hostages found themselves up against a terrifying cult of vampires.
“From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series” has been reimagined by Rodriguez himself, with a greatly expanded story that will further develop his iconic characters and the underlying Mesoamerican mythology behind the vampires. And this time, the supernatural aspects will be apparent very early in the story.
On Tuesday, March 11, “From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series” will make its official premiere on
El Rey following a preview at SXSW. To bring new fans up to speed, CraveOnline is proud to present a guide to the new cast members and characters of “From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series.”
Meet The Cast of From Dusk Till Dawn The Series
D.J. Cotrona as Seth Gecko
D.J. Cotrona has the unenviable task of taking over the role of Seth Gecko from George Clooney. But Cotrona wasn’t chosen for this role by accident. He’s previously starred in “Detroit 1-8-7,” G.I. Joe: Retaliation and “Skin.”
When “From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series” begins, Seth Gecko has just been rescued from prison by his brother Richie and they soon find themselves on the run from the law after a bank robbery gone bad. Unfortunately for Seth, Richie’s grasp on sanity is rapidly slipping away and it’s up to him to come up with a way out of the country.
Zane Holtz as Richie Gecko
Holtz is stepping into Quentin Tarantino’s shoes as Richard "Richie" Gecko. Together, the Gecko brothers are infamous for pulling over thirty successful heists across the country. Believe it or not, Richie used to be the brains behind the brothers. But Richie is losing himself to the darker impulses of his mind.
This won’t be Holtz’s first experience with vampires. He previously costarred in the Twilight parody film, Vampires Suck in addition to his guest appearances in “CSI,” “CSI: Miami,” “NCIS’ and a starring role in “Make It or Break It."
Robert Patrick as Jacob Fuller
A true Hollywood legend, Robert Patrick will always be remembered as the T-1000 in Terminator 2: Judgement Day . Patrick has previously collaborated with Robert Rodriguez in The Faculty and he even costarred in From Dusk Till Dawn 2: Texas Blood Money . Patrick is also no stranger to television, with stints on “The Sopranos,” “The X-Files,” ‘Lost,” “Burn Notice,” “True Blood.” ‘Community” and “Last Resort.”
In “From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series,” Patrick will play Jacob Fuller, a former preacher who was portrayed by Harvey Keitel in the original film. Jacob is trying to bond with his two children on a trip to Mexico as a prelude to rebuilding their lives after the death of his wife. But once Jacob and his family encounter the Gecko brothers, all bets are off.
Madison Davenport as Kate Fuller
Kate Fuller wants to save her father from emotionally slipping away, but she’s not thrilled about being on an extended road trip with him and her adoptive brother, Scott. Regardless, Kate is the rock that holds the Fullers together.
Madison Davenport is taking over the role played by Juliette Lewis in the first From Dusk Till Dawn movie. Davenport is set to costar in the upcoming Bible epic, Noah. Prior to that, she appeared in The Possession and Parasomnia .
Brandon Soo Hoo as Scott Fuller
Ernest Liu portrayed Jacob Fuller’s adopted son, Scott in the original From Dusk Till Dawn movie. In “From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series,” Brandon Soo Hoo will fill the role and get a chance to deepen Scott’s character as he is forced to become a man much sooner than he expected.
Soo Hoo recently appeared in Ender's Game and he costars in the Cartoon Network comedy sketch series, “Incredible Crew.” He has previously appeared in “My Name is Earl,” “Community,” “Supah Ninjas” and “Workaholics."
Eiza Gonzalez as Santanico Pandemonium
One of the best remembered moments from the original From Dusk Till Dawn was Salma Hayek’s incredibly seductive dancing while holding a snake. Of course, Santanico Pandemonium turned out to be an evil vampire who wanted to suck blood and make Richie lick something unspeakable off of her feet. But who doesn’t have their minor flaws?
Eiza Gonzalez is the new Santanico Pandemonium for “From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series.” And while Gonzalez may not be well known in the US, that will probably change very quickly. Gonzalez has a lot of experience on Mexican television, but this will be her first major role in American TV.
Adrianne Palicki as Vanessa Styles
Once upon a time, Adrianne Palicki was almost TV’s latest Wonder Woman. But when that project didn’t come about, Palicki rebounded with a major role in G.I. Joe: Retaliation as Lady Jaye, opposite D.J. Cotrona’s Flint.
In G.I. Joe, Flint and Lady Jaye have long been romantically linked together. So it’s appropriate that Palicki’s new character in “From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series” is also a former flame from Seth Gecko’s past. Vanessa Styles is beautiful, dangerous and she’s basically a criminal mastermind. The Gecko brothers had better watch their backs around her.
On TV, Palicki is best known for her stint on “Friday Night Lights,” in addition to guest appearances in “Smallville,” “Supernatural” and “CSI.”
Don Johnson as Sheriff Earl McGraw
Don Johnson is another Hollywood legend on the cast of “From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series.” He’ll be playing Sheriff Earl McGraw, a role originated by Michael Parks. McGraw is out to bring the Gecko brothers to justice; which is far easier said than done.
Johnson is best known for his iconic run in ‘Miami Vice” and his hit CBS series, “Nash Bridges.” More recently, Johnson appeared in ‘Eastbound & Down,” Django Unchained and the first Machete film by Robert Rodriguez.
Wilmer Valderrama as Carlos Madrigal
For a generation of comedy fans, Wilmer Valderrama will always be Fez from “That ‘70s Show.” But Valderrama’s dark turn in “From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series” may challenge his previous reputation as a comedic presence.
As Carlos Madrigal, Valderrama plays a brutal criminal overlord with ties to the Gecko brothers... who may also be tied to the supernatural forces awaiting the Gecko brothers in Mexico.
Valderrama recently costarred in NBC’s “Awake” and he has appeared in "Royal Pains," "The Wizards of Waverly Place," “Raising Hope” and “Men at Work."
Jake Busey as Professor Mitch Tanner
Jake Busey is playing a new character in “From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series.” Busey’s Professor Aiden Tanner serves as an advisor to the Texas rangers in the brutal murders connected to Don Carlos’ cartel. But Professor Tanner also seems to be very familiar with the dark legends behind the creatures that the Gecko brothers and the Fuller family will encounter in Mexico.
Busey has previously appeared in several feature films including Contact , Starship Troopers , Twister , Home Fries and The Frighteners . He has also guest starred on the USA series, “Psych.”
Jesse Garcia as Texas Ranger Freddie Gonzalez
Jesse Garcia may play a lawman, but Texas Ranger Freddie Gonzalez is one of the primary obstacles between the Gecko brothers and a clean getaway. Gonzalez will soon have a very personal reason to get his revenge on the Geckos, even if it costs him his badge, his life and even his soul.
Prior to “From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series,” Garcia won praise for his starring turn in the film Quinceañera before going on to appear in several movies, including La Misma Luna , The Comebacks and Days of Wrath . Garcia has also made guest turns on “The Shield,” ‘Sons of Anarchy,” “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles’ and “Longmire.”