Last December,we reportedthat FX had ordered theSons of AnarchyspinoffMayans MC. Per the original press release, “Mayans MCis set in a post Jax Teller world, where EZ Reyes, a prospect in the Mayan MC charter on the Cali/Mexi border, struggles with his desire for vengeance against the cartel, and his need for respect from the women he loves.”
The pilot shot in March, but nowThe Wrapis reporting that the pilot is undergoing reshoots as well as recasting.Norberto Barba, who was the showrunner on all six seasons of NBC’sGrimmis taking over directing duties on the pilot and will executive produce.Elgin Jameswas original set to direct. Additionally, the network is recasting some of the roles, but it wouldn’t specify which ones. The show had already castJD Pardoas EZ Reyes as well asEdward James Olmosas Felipe Reyes andRichard Cabralas Johnny “El Coco” Cruz. Other cast members includedJohn Ortiz,Antonio Jaramillo, andClayton Cardenas, but it remains to be seen how many of these actors will remain.
It’s interesting to see FX return to the safety of a spinoff series when the network as a whole is putting forward some of the most bold and innovative shows on television. While you could argue that stuff likeFargoorLegionseem like safe bets (an adaptation of an acclaimed film and an FX spinoff), the substance of those series is radically different than what one would expect. Perhaps that will be the case withMayans MCas well, and the series was perhaps too similar toSons of Anarchy, which is why they’re retooling it a bit. It will be interesting to see if the spinoff can woo fans ofKurt Sutter’s show as well as bring in new viewers who didn’t warm to that series.
No premiere date has been set yet forMayans MC, but I’d expect it to air sometime in 2018.
