Eva Longoria Stars As NBC Telenovela Soap Opera Diva After ‘Housewives’ – And No, It’s Not Andy Cohen’s Version


Eva Longoria isn’t feeling desperate anymore. Although she’s stayed busy since the final episode of Desperate Housewives, the actress hasn’t landed any series starring roles. And it’s been so long since Desperate Housewives that some confuse the show with the reality TV version made famous by Andy Cohen. But now NBC has tapped Longoria for a comedy Telenovela, reported Deadline.

At 39, Eva is belying the belief that Hollywood opportunities become fewer as actresses age. Instead, she also found herself pursued by ABC for another comedy script. But Longoria went with NBC’s Telenovela, which focuses on what really happens behind the cameras of a Spanish language telenovela, seen mostly through the eyes of Eva as a Spanish-language soap opera diva.

NBC has issued an order for 13 episodes, and a casting director has begun work on seeking ideal foils for Eva. In addition, the network is in talks with its sister network, Telemundo, about the potential for promoting Longoria’s show with four to five Spanish-language segments.

What can viewers expect in the series? Look for humor mingled with drama from soap opera operatics, NBC Entertainment president Jennifer Salke told NBC News.

Salke noted that Longoria is the perfect match, with her international appeal and experience on the popular Desperate Housewives series.

http://youtu.be/9PCY4xwxgcE

“There are few actresses with as much international appeal as Eva Longoria. She is a perfect fit for Telenovela. Her character will try to navigate the hysteria and high jinks that everyone must endure in putting together a daily show.”

Longoria will also produce the NBC comedy series, which will showcase both off-camera and on-camera craziness. In her role as Ana Maria, Eva will become “a willful but popular” soap opera diva.

In addition to her acting roles, Eva has become known as a Latino activist, reported the Daily Beast. She’s focused her energies on Democratic politics, and has been doing so since the Clinton era.

“I’ve always been politically active. I’ve been involved since Clinton ran in ’92, volunteering, going door-to-door, canvassing, phone-banking…And coming from the state of Texas—the country of Texas, I should say—I’m definitely at the forefront.”

And Democrats are grateful, with some wondering if she might consider running for a political office herself.

“Eva is so much more than a celebrity who occasionally lends her name to causes,” said Sen. Cory Booker. “Eva immerses herself in the pursuit of social and political justice.”

In addition to politics, since Desperate Housewives ended in 2012, Eva has taken on the role of activist with a focus on farm workers, including producing a documentary, Food Chains, reported Yahoo! News. The film highlighted working conditions for farm laborers and a program known as Fair Food.

“Where we get our food is a chain, and everybody’s a part of it, from the farmers and the farm workers to the consumers and the supermarkets and fast food,” reflected Eva. “Everyone is connected.”

Longoria isn’t the only celebrity to recognize the connection between food and farm, and seek to make a difference. As the Inquisitr reported, pregnant Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake seek to direct-source their food as well.

“She has been having deliveries from local farms so she can eat fresh organic produce and be as healthy as possible throughout the pregnancy,” said an insider. “She is very aware of the importance of eating well. She wants to have the best pregnancy possible.”

[Photo by David Becker/Getty Images]

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