JD Pardo has been cast as the lead in Kurt Sutter’s upcoming FX pilot “Mayans MC,” TheWrap has confirmed.
The series is set in a post-Jax Teller “Sons of Anarchy” world, where E.Z. Reyes (Pardo), a prospect in the Mayan MC charter on the Cali/Mexico border, struggles with his desire for vengeance against the cartel, and his need for respect from the woman he loves. Edward James Olmos was previously cast in a supporting role.
Pardo is a film and television actor, known for roles in “Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2,” “East Los High,” and the Dwayne Johnson action film “Snitch.” He is represented by Gersh, Echo Lake Entertainment and Hansen Jacobson Teller.
FX has ordered a pilot for the series, based on the network’s hit Charlie Hunnam-led motorcycle gang drama series. Sutter, who created the original show, co-wrote the pilot for the spinoff with Elgin James, and will also direct it.
Sutter has a long history with FX. He wrote for and eventually executive produced the gritty Michael Chiklis-led police drama “The Shield,” which ran for seven seasons before going on to create “Sons of Anarchy,” the wildly popular outlaw biker drama that also lasted seven seasons. It was the highest-rated drama series in FX Networks’ history when it went off the air in December 2014.
Deadline first reported this news.