Adriana Barraza added to Penny Dreadful: City of Angels cast

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

It's been almost two months since Showtime announced that Daniel Zovatto of IT FOLLOWS and DON'T BREATHE will be starring in their upcoming series Penny Dreadful: City of Angels as Detective Tiago Vega, and since then further casting announcements have been introducing more members of the Vega family. When City of Angels reaches the airwaves we'll be spending time not just with Tiago but also his brother, his sister, and – the latest to be cast – his mom.

Described as a "spiritual descendant" of the original Showtime series Penny Dreadful, which was set in Victorian era London, City of Angels is set in 

1938 Los Angeles, a time and place deeply infused with social and political tension. When a grisly murder shocks the city, Detective Tiago Vega is embroiled in an epic story that reflects the rich history of Los Angeles: from the building of the city's first freeways and its deep traditions of Mexican-American folklore, to the dangerous espionage actions of the Third Reich and the rise of radio evangelism. Before long, Tiago and his family are grappling with powerful forces that threaten to tear them apart. 

Penny Dreadful: City of Angels explores an exciting mix of the supernatural and the combustible reality of the period, creating new occult myths and moral dilemmas within a genuine historical backdrop. This chapter is a bold new vision that will employ all new characters and storylines. 

As we have previously reported, Johnathan Nieves will be playing Tiago's volatile younger brother Mateo, while Jessica Garza is taking on the role of their sister Josefina, who "plays the part of the quiet and overlooked younger sister but possesses a powerful spirit waiting to be unleashed".

Now Adriana Barraza has signed on to play their mother, Maria Vega. Maria is "the powerful matriarch of the Vega family, who will go to any lengths to protect her children from the dangerous world of 1938 social politics, as well as from the chilling supernatural forces invading their lives."

An Oscar nominee for her work in the film BABEL, Barraza has almost 60 screen credits to her name. She recently took a role opposite Sylvester Stallone in RAMBO: LAST BLOOD, and her other credits include DRAG ME TO HELL (pictured above), THOR, and episodes of the TV series The Strain.

The announced cast members who aren't playing Vegas in Penny Dreadful: City of Angels are Nathan Lane, whose character is Lewis Michener, "a veteran officer in the LAPD, wise to the ways of the world and ruthless in pursuit of his goals, who becomes the partner and mentor of young Tiago Vega", and Natalie Dormer as the demon Magda, "who can take the appearance of anyone she chooses and manifests in a number of guises throughout the story. Charismatic, clever and chameleonic, Magda is a dangerous enemy and an invaluable ally."

Penny Dreadful creator, writer, and executive producer John Logan continues in those same roles for Penny Dreadful: City of Angels. Fellow executive producers include Michael Aguilar, and Sam Mendes and Pippa Harris of Neal Street Productions. James Bagley serves as co-executive producer.

The show is being produced by Logan's Desert Wolf Productions. Filming begins later this year, with Paco Cabezas set to direct multiple episodes.