Havana

[managermike99]

Havana (2014 - present)

60 minutes
Drama (historical/period)

Fall in love with old time Havana, Cuba, in the years preceding the revolution. The glitz and glamor of the casinos, mixed with the dangerous involvement of the mob, the presence of the CIA, the biggest per capita middle class in the Western Hemisphere, and the building sentiments of a minority of anti-Americans looking for revolution.

The American Film Company
Wildwood Enterprises

[managermike99]

Season 1

Cast & Crew

Principal Cast Information
Jake Canuso as Rick Preston (casino manager)
Mia Maestro as Sonya Acosta (Cuban born, Casino floor manager)
Mike Starr as Harry Gorman (casino head of security; mob connected, Chicago)
Philip Marlatt as Bill Butler (CIA operative)
Silvestre Rasuk as Jose Fernandez (young Dominican born revolutionary)
Peter Morse as Ambassador Smith (US ambassador to Cuba)
Vincent Curatola as Abe Villani (Casino overlord; mob connected, Chicago)
Clayne Crawford as Grier
Victoria Smurfit as Gloria Smith


Principal Crew Information
Robert Redford - Executive Producer
Walter Salles - Producer/Director
Jerry Leider - Producer
Arlene Sanford - Director
Michael Winterbottom - Writer
James D. Solomon - Writer
Alex Von Tunzelmann - Writer/Consultant

[managermike99]

Episode Guide

1.01 - "Pilot" (2014) 1.2/3 5.19
Sep 15, 2014
Rick Preston is busy trying to run his Havana casino "The Philadelphian", taking care of American high rollers, enjoying what is supposed to be a dream position for semi-retirement, all the while navigating the choppy waters of the abusive regime of Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista. The initial episode see's him have to negotiate a truce between a pair of local cops, their boss, and his hot blooded Casino floor manager Sonya Acosta. His boss, mob connected Chicago man Abe Villani, pays him a visit to introduce his new chief of casino security for the Philadelphian Harry Gorman; another Chicago wise guy. Preston believes that Gorman is gunning for his job but has no choice but to accept the placement. A young CIA operative Bill Butler, who's cover is that he works in the U.S. embassy, approaches Ambassador Smith with a briefing that is very critical of the Batista regime. Smith has been on the job for about 4 months, and says that although he came in suspicious of Batista, after spending considerable time with him (socially) he believes that the U.S. can work with him; so he buries Butler's work. Young Jose Fernandez arrives from the Dominican Republic, ostensibly to work the sugar cane fields, but really to help the anti-Batista rebels. In a show of force, Harry Gorman shoots a Cuban man who it turns out is an off duty police officer.

1.02 - "Elvis Has Left the Building" (2014) 1.2/3 5.01
Sep 22, 2014
On the eve of entering into the military, Elvis Presley comes to play a gig at "The Philadelphian" as a favour for Abe Villani. Sonya confides to Rick that her brother is a communist and working with the anti-Batista rebels; but claims she has no communication with him. The police pay an intimidation visit to the casino. A rival casino tries to lure Rick to jump ship. Bill Butler circumvents normal channels to report up the chain of the CIA on the atrocities being committed by Batista; but when he hears nothing back he begins to worry. Ambassador Smith's wife comes to "The Philadelphian" to watch Elvis, along with a surprise friend; Batista himself. Jose Fernandez trusts the wrong man, and instead of being connected to rebels he finds himself in jail; and beaten.

1.03 - "The Philadelphian" (2014) 1.3/3 5.34
Sep 29, 2014
The local Havana police do a sweep to root out communists, including shutting down "The Philadelphian" for the evening while they question some patrons and staff (including Sonya). Someone takes a warning shot at Bill Butler as he has dinner in a local café. Rick receives a disconcerting letter from his ex-wife who is worried that their daughter is in an abusive relationship. Preston catches Gorman selling Cocaine and warns him about the way Cubans deal with drug dealers; but he refuses to listen and basically dares Rick to go to Abe with the information. Bill Butler stumbles upon a covert CIA operative that even he didn't know about that is helping train Assassins for Batista. Gloria Smith makes a return visit to "The Philadelphian" but this time her wandering eye is on Rick. Jose befriends a prison guard who manages to curtail the beatings, but when the prison is attacked by rebels the price of his freedom is his willingness to execute his new friend.

1.04 - "Sail Away" (2014) 1.3/3 5.22
Oct 6, 2014
Rick reaches out to Abe to have one of his heavies lean on his abusive son-in law, but when quizzed about Gorman refuses to complain. Sonya disappears for a couple days, and when she returns refuses to tell anyone including Rick where she went. A new blackjack dealer won't shut up about the revolution so is canned after just 2 days, but returns with a gun. Ambassador Smith tries to give Bill Butler a new assignment; find out if Gloria is cheating on him. A police lieutenant asks Gorman to fix him up with an "easy" American lady. Jose's new rebel friends take him to join another group's assault on a rich bourgeois estate; only to find the rebel encampment is full of only dead rebels - machine gunned to death. Amidst all this Rick buys a new sailboat.

1.05 - "The Dearly Departed" (2014) 1.3/3 5.16
Oct 13, 2014
Abe pays Rick a visit with unfortunate news that things got out of hand and Rick's son in-law shot and killed the muscle that Abe sent over to straighten him out; leaving Rick owing an unspoken debt to the mob. The call girl that Gorman set up with Lt. Lopez ends up dead from a drug over dose and the police come to brace Gorman for the crime. Rick gets into an argument with Bill Butler over his presence in the club, and his shadowing of Gloria Smith. Batista leans on Ambassador Smith to get guns covertly from his government despite an official ban on such transactions.

1.06 - "In For a Penny" (2014) 1.2/3 4.87
Oct 20, 2014
Bill Butler returns to "The Philadelphian" with a gift and apology for Rick; and the two find that they have common ground when it comes to dangerous opinions on the Batista regime. While her hubby visits with Batista, Gloria Smith gets naughty in a waiting room with one of his lieutenants. Lt. Lopez leans on Gorman to provide him with more drugs; and another girl. Jose finds himself shuffled off to another branch of the revolutionaries; this one being run by Alex Acosta (Sonya's brother). Ambassador Smith calls in favors to get Batista some machine guns; by making it look like a paperwork error.

1.07 - "Radio Freedom" (2014) 1.3/3 5.20
Oct 27, 2014
Radio Freedom is all the rage in Havana, as the rebels broadcast their escapades from up north. Jose finds out his group is being trained to try and over throw Haitian dictator Baby Doc Duvalier and considers leaving the revolution. Abe comes to Rick with a "request" to even out their debt; it would involve Rick making sure a Cuban businessman is killed. Seeing no way out of his trap Gorman turns the tables on Lt. Lopez in an all or nothing play. Bill Butler tricks Rick into meeting him at one of Batista's worst prisons to see the inhumanity served up there every day; a move that angers Rick and shakes his beliefs to the core. Sonya begins to date a man with serious ties to Batista; making Rick wonder about her real motives.

1.08 - "Enigma" (2014) 1.2/3 4.95
Nov 3, 2014
Rick manages to make contact with Grier (the U.S. covert operative helping train assassins for Batista) with the details of the murder job he needs to arrange; however, after doing some reconnaissance of his own he begins to doubt he can give the go ahead. Jose witnesses a conversation between Alex Acosta and a man from Batista's regime and wonders exactly who they are working for. Sonya moves in with Ramon, a key member of Batista's inner circle. Bill Butler reports to Ambassador Smith that his wife is a flirt and nothing more; something Smith already knows is not true as he knows about his wife's indiscretions.
Butler gets wind of the arms deal between Smith and Batista and plays the dangerous game of trying to orchestrate its failure.

1.09 - "Under Siege" (2014) 1.2/3 4.91
Nov 10, 2014
The city is ablaze and under curfew as a small group of revolutionaries tries to storm the palace. Ramon catches Sonya going through his papers, but decides not to interrogate her for now. Bill Butler finds himself attacked on the street by 3 revolutionaries, but wonders who was really behind the attack. When Rick's local senator from Ohio comes to pay a visit to "The Philadelphian" on vacation Rick takes a gamble and fills him in on what he saw in Batista's prison and on Bill Butler's accusations against the regime. Jose and Alex lead a landing force into Haiti but find out they were compromised and walk into a massacre. Abe pays Rick a visit to remind him of his unsettled debt. Gorman begins to expand his drug dealing enterprise using Lt. Lopez' cops as cover.

1.10 - "Thanksgiving" (2014) 1.3/3 5.28
Nov 17, 2014
The local Americans gather at "The Philadelphian" to celebrate Thanksgiving. Jose and Alex hide from the Haitian army while waiting extraction that may not come. Ramon plants some intelligence with Sonya to find out where it will go from there. Gorman goes to Abe with a play to put him in charge of "The Philadelphian" and to get rid of Rick. In a moment of choice that he knows he will regret, Rick decides to hold onto his job and get rid of his debt by giving Grier the contract to kill. A friendly baseball game between the Americans (led by Gorman) and the Cubans (led by Lt. Lopez) ends in a brawl. Bill Butler hands in his request for transfer; which Smith agrees to but the CIA turns down. In a drunken spell Butler sleeps with Gloria Smith.

1.11 - "Castro" (2015) 1.1/2 4.34
Feb 2, 2015
The murder contract is filled; which puts Rick into a cycle of alcohol and self loathing. Ramon interrogates Sonya in their own home. Gloria Smith is sent back to the U.S. by her husband "to visit family" for an extended stay. Bill Butler finds another ally back in Langley, Virginia and gives him renewed optimism to funnel his intelligence to headquarters. Abe offers to move Gorman to another business asset in Havana, but he surprises everyone by staying put at the casino. Rick's daughter sends word that she is coming for a holiday to visit him in Havana; against his wishes. Jose and Alex are detained by Batista's army but after a couple weeks of interrogation are promptly released. The printed words of Fidel Castro spread like wildfire across Havana, further stoking the flames of revolution. Bill Butler compares notes with another operative and comes to the conclusion that Castro is someone the Americans could work with.

1.12 - "The Visit" (2015) 1.2/3 4.83
Feb 9, 2015
Rick's daughter Angela comes for a visit where she tells her Father everything is fine at the homefront but digs around his enterprise to find out if he knows anything about the man her husband murdered. Ambassador Smith colludes with Batista to end Bill Butler's presence in Cuba. Jose pays his sister Sonya a visit but when he finds out who she is living with it sends him over the deep end. A representative from a major U.S. canned fruit company looks to expand into Cuba and picks Rick's brains for details; details he doesn't like when he hears them. Lt. Lopez is reassigned and it puts Gorman's business enterprise, as well as his neck, on the line.

1.13 - "Guns not Butter" (2015) 1.2/3 4.99
Feb 16, 2015
The gun deal goes south when the CIA intercepts the merchandise, putting Batista and Smith on the defensive. Grier comes looking for Bill Butler, but Rick gets wind of it and warns his friend he may be a target. Sonya quits the casino and heads off with Jose for the jungle. A coalition of VIP's from the Dominican Republic come for a visit to "The Philadelphian" , and they offer Abe and Rick a casino license in Santa Domingo; Rick suggests that Abe send Gorman. Rick hires a replacement for Sonya, an Australian named Nick, but soon begins to doubt his background.

1.14- "The Fountain of Youth" (2015) 1.3/3 5.17
Feb 23, 2015
Ambassador Smith spins his story of a paperwork error but is in danger of being recalled; so he does a recall of his own bringing Gloria back to Havana. Rick is smitten by a local girl Anna, who is young enough to be his daughter. Bill Butler attempts to make contact with Fidel or Raul Castro; using Sonya as an intermediary. Rick digs into Nick's past believing he may be a Soviet agent; a task he soon hands off to Butler, who is unable to investigate before leaving to meet Castro. A recent rash of overdoses is tracked to a batch of heroin which was sold by Gorman. Abe finally see's the light that the money isn't worth it and orders Gorman to scale back his operation. The episode concludes with Bill Butler being taken prisoner by the revolutionaries.

1.15 - "Broken Hearts" (2015) 1.3/3 5.09
Apr 27, 2015
Rick has a heart attack while on his boat with Anna; something that scares her away. Bill Butler tries to negotiate for his life; and a chance to meet one of the Castro brothers. A small battalion of mercenaries based out of the Dominican try to take over and extort money from a large fruit packing plant. Ambassador Smith makes a last ditch effort to satisfy his wife by bringing another man into their bed. While Rick is at the hospital, Nick tries to wrestle away control of running the casino from Gorman.

1.16 - "VooDu" (2015) 1.2/3 4.85
May 4, 2015
Bill Butler is saved by Sonya who vouches for him; and Butler gets his meeting with Raul Castro. Papa Doc, the Haitian dictator, puts a curse on Batista which the locals take quite seriously. Nick turns up dead and all eyes look to Gorman as the killer. Rick reaches out to Anna but his overtures are rebuffed.
The Soviet consulate visit the Philadelphian and try to strike an accord with Rick who tosses them out on their ear.

1.17 - "Massacre" (2015) 1.3/3 4.99
May 11, 2015
One of Batista's guard goes crazy and starts to kill people walking down the street in Havana; and ends up taking refuge in The Philadelphia; holding Rick and his guests hostage. Bill Butler makes his way back to Havana only to be intercepted by Grier who takes him in for questioning. Ambassador Smith resigns his post and leaves Cuba with his wife in tow. Gorman is under watch by the Soviets and they are driving him to paranoia. Sonya and Jose help Che Guerra prepare a major offensive against the government. Abe tries to negotiate a deal with Batista.

1.18 - "Kaput" (2015) 1.2/3 4.77
May 18, 2015
Upon hearing about his near death experience, Anna comes to reconcile with Rick. Angela calls Rick at night; her husband is getting out of hand again and she wants to leave him, so Rick calls Abe for help. Jose is badly wounded in battle and taken prisoner by Batista's army. Gorman, driven to insanity, gets drunk one night and kills a guard stationed outside the Soviet embassy; and is then shot down dead in the street. Abe attempts to make amends with the Soviets. Bill Butler and Rick take a midnight boat run to meet an informant of Butler's who has information on Sonya and Jose.

1.19 - "Viva la Revolution" (2015) 1.3/3 5.20
May 25, 2015
Season Finale
Fidel Castro and his revolutionaries make major inroads, and things in Havana quickly deteriorate for the government. Anna and Rick after a night of drinking bring a second woman into their bed; not realizing she is a Soviet attaché. Abe reports to Rick that his daughter Angela has killed her husband in self-defense but is being held back in the States; and Abe has already secured legal counsel for her. As the year 1958 comes to a close with a big party at The Philadelphian; Bill Butler and Rick share drinks on the rooftop where they can watch Batista and his family pack up a helicopter and flee the country. The government has been toppled.


2.01 - "1959" (2015) 1.0/3 3.10
Sep 21, 2015
As Rick prepares to travel back stateside to see his daughter in prison, a triumphant Sonya returns to the Philadelphian. Sonya takes a position with the interim government in Havana. Abe looks after The Philadelphian during Rick's absence. The new U.S. ambassador to Cuba, Joe Bergmann arrives and immediately agrees with Grier that the communist revolution has to be stopped at all costs. While Rick spends his days helping his daughter's legal defense he also meets Abe's mafia boss; a very powerful and scary man.

2.02 - "Castro 2" (2015) 0.8/2 2.42
Sep 28, 2015
Rick arrives back in Havana, his daughter's charges having been dropped to find Fidel Castro himself has decided to make a public appearance at The Philadelphian, with Sonya and Jose part of the security detail. Bill Butler and Rick get a few minutes of private conversation with Castro and come away thinking he is open to negotiation with the U.S., and that he is not aligned with the Soviets; a feeling that is not shared by Bergmann and Grier who become suspicious. Elena returns to the Philadelphian trying to make Rick jealous by flirting with Jose. The revolution highly "suggest" that the Philadelphian hire a new head of security from their ranks; Federico Alvarez.

2.03 - "Tailed" (2015) 0.7/2 2.09
Oct 5, 2015
Rick begins to think he is being tailed by someone, and is unsure if they work for the revolution or the U.S. government. Elena makes her play for Rick and the two end up spending the night together while Rick still has not heard from Anna. Bill Butler files another very controversial report, asking the government to negotiate with Castro; and finds himself on a plane back stateside as a result. Sonya finds it difficult to adjust to life as a bureaucrat while Jose pines over Elena; causing a riff between him and Rick. Alvarez makes it clear that he is reporting directly to the government and has no loyalty to his employers at the Philadelphian. Anna's body is found.

2.04 - "Plotters (1)" (2015) 0.7/2 1.98
Oct 19, 2015
After Sonya lets Rick know that Castro will be making another visit to The Philadelphian, Abe approaches Rick with a plan to assassinate Castro by slipping poison into his drink. Abe insinuates that the plan is sponsored by the CIA. Rick is put in a position where he must betray the trust of Sonya in order to carry out the plan; a price he doesn't want to pay, until Abe reminds him of the help they gave to his daughter. Joe Bergmann and Grier meet with some anti-Castro factions to aid against the government, but it turns out to be a terrible trap that Castro uses to embarrass the American consulate. Elena's superiors turn up the heat on her mission, but she is dismayed when Rick won't let her in past his guard.

2.05 - "Plotters (2)" (2015) 0.7/2 1.95
Oct 26, 2015
Rick tries to find a way out of being part of the Castro assassination attempt while security and tensions are high. Someone is blackmailing Alvarez to report low revenue figures to the government, but Rick has no idea who is behind the scheme. Bergmann turns on Grier leaving him hung out to dry. Elena tries to get Rick to move in with her, to no avail. A dazzling Cuban singer Maria Famosa, comes looking for work. The assassination attempt on Castro is called off at the last minute; with no explanation given.

2.06 - "The Butler Did It" (2015) 0.7/2 1.82
Nov 2, 2015
Bill Butler returns to Cuba, and part of his new assignment is to look into Anna's murder; which leads him to cross words with Rick. Rick's infatuation with Famosa gets between him and Elena, and makes Rick think he has a serious issue with love. Abe tells Rick that the Cubans will likely take over the Philadelphia before the end of the year, so the mob wants to take out as much money as possible from skimming; under the nose of Alvarez. Sonya gets a field assignment, thrilled to be out from behind a desk, but it leads her to conflict with Bergmann.

2.07 - "He Man Club" (2015) 0.7/2 2.00
Nov 9, 2015
Butler uncovers evidence which leads him to Elena as possibly Anna's murderer. Rick tries to swear off women and concentrate on the skimming task given to him by Abe. When Jose is abducted by Batista loyalists Sonya turns to Grier to help find him. Alvarez tries to force himself on Famosa.

2.08 - "Gun" (2015) 0.7/2 2.11
Nov 16, 2015
Rick finds himself having to use a gun when he aids Sonya in getting Jose back from the loyalists. Butler and Bergmann clash in their views on the Cubans; and in the end both realize their opinions don't matter as the U.S. government is so anti-communist that the path is already determined. Famosa shoots Alvarez and disappears into the Cuban prison system. Elena attempts to secure her return to Moscow. Abe visits Haiti.

2.09 - "Inside Track" (2015) 0.7/2 2.23
Nov 23, 2015
Rick and Abe attend a high stakes horserace where Abe fills Rick in on the mob's plans for the future in Cuba and Haiti; Rick voices his displeasure over the situation in Haiti. Alvarez returns to work at the Philadelphian with a big chip on his shoulder. Sonya considers an offer by Grier to get her a move to the United States, in return for intelligence against Castro. Rick finds out the truth about Elena.

2.10 - "A Bomb" (2015) 0.8/2 2.55
Nov 30, 2015
Rick and Alvarez team up to try and find a bomb planted somewhere in the Philadelphian without alerting the authorities. Sonya accepts Grier's offer but only if she can bring Jose to the U.S. as well. Abe has a stroke and is hospitalized in a Havana hospital. Elena tries to shake the surveillance of Bill Butler.

2.11 - "Yankee Doctor" (2016) 0.8/2 2.41
Feb 1, 2016
Interactions with party faithful leave Alvarez' dedication to the cause as tepid. Abe wants to bring his doctor into the country but the Castro regime attempts to block him, and Rick works to smooth the waters. Elena and Bill Butler have a waterfront shootout that leaves Elena shot before fleeing, and Butler in jail. Jose balks at leaving the country; so Sonya decides to stay as well but as a compromised puppet now of the CIA.

2.12 - "Play Ball" (2016) 0.8/2 2.32
Feb 8, 2016
Rick attends a baseball game with Sonya in an attempt to smooth talk the Philadelphian to some party elite. Jose threatens to turn against Sonya. Alvarez and Jose have an argument that ends in a fist fight. The first open overtures from the Soviets to the Cubans occur in Havana and has the CIA irate.

2.13 - "A Horse Named Desire" (2016) 0.8/2 2.16
Feb 15, 2016
Rick invests in a racehorse despite the warning signs about expropriation in the air. Alvarez helps fix Abe's car. Jose reports back to the Philadelphian after a party meeting that Castro is simply playing the Soviets against the Americans; looking for the best deal.

2.14 - "Horse" (2016) 0.8/2 2.30
Feb 22, 2016
Rick has a whirlwind romance with a horse trainer Yvonne, who then breaks his heart by saying she is moving back to the states. Abe's car is impounded by authorities when drugs are found inside it; which Abe believes to be Alvarez's. Grier is given a dangerous mission to get intel on the Soviets; and has to try to convince Butler to help.

2.15 - "From Russia, With Malice"
Feb 29, 2016
While Rick drowns his sorrows with booze, Elena makes a surprise return to Havana under Soviet diplomatic immunity. Sonya and Jose join a crew on a clandestine mission to meet the Soviets and inspect some weapons. Abe questions Alvarez about the drugs causing the Cuban to panic, attack him, and flee.

2.16 - "The Hammer, and the Sickle"
Apr 11, 2016
Rick confronts Elena. Sonya and Jose investigate the drugs in Abe's car and prove they are not Alvarez's; then try and find the Cuban to have him return to work. Sonya and Jose have a run in with the Soviets while looking for Alvarez.

2.17 - "Game Changer"
Apr 18, 2016
When Jose admits to Sonya that he is bi-sexual they both fear for his life because the Castro regime is homophobic. Grier and Butler go into overdrive when they uncover a plot that the Soviets are selling a chemical weapon to the Cubans. Rick tries to tail Elena but she turns the tables on him.

2.18 - "Philadelphian Freedom"
Apr 25, 2016
The ambassador tips off Rick that the Cubans want to take over the Philadelphian. A Cuban businessman David Sierra makes a low ball bid for the casino; but Abe refuses to sell. Sonya and Jose try to resurrect their deal with Grier to leave Cuba for the U.S.

2.19 - "Crosses"
May 2, 2016
Butler finds out that Grier plans to double cross Sonya and Jose and enlists Rick's help to make things right. David Sierra send his thugs to the casino to send Abe a message. Alvarez tries to play both sides so he is not left out in the cold. Grier grills Rick for information about Elena; and accuses Rick of still holding a torch for the Soviet.

2.20 - "Run, Shoot"
May 9, 2016
Sonya and Jose attempt to discreetly say goodbye to their families but word leaks to the families, making it a race to the airport. Rick and Abe's aid to the fleeing duo puts the Philadelphian even more at risk for expropriation; something not lost on Abe's mob bosses. Alvarez cuts a deal with Sierra. Butler and Grier have a showdown that ends with Butler shooting the Ambassador, and Grier shooting and killing Butler.

2.21 - "Ignition"
May 16, 2016
Rick decides to say goodbye to Elena, but the two ignite a spark that threatens both their lives. Abe attempts to buy off the Revolutionary party to leave the Philadelphian alone. Grier is recalled to the States to answer questions.

2.22 - "Destination Miami"
May 23, 2016
Season Finale
Abe is imprisoned as the Philadelphian is taken over by the Cubans. Rick risks missing his flight from Havana when he is distressed over the death of his racehorse Desire. Alvarez loses his temper and gets fired by Sierra.

[managermike99]

December 18, 2015

Havana Renewed for Season 3

Broadcasting & Cable today broke the announcement that Havana has been renewed for a 3rd season on Liberty Television in 2016-17, despite middling ratings. The critical reviews as well as improved storylines have given the network enough faith in the show to assure its viewers of another season.

In an interview with executive producer Robert Redford and writer/consultant Alex Von Tunzelmann they went as far as to lay out the general plans for a continued storyline for the picturesque drama. The current season 2 should take the story up until the U.S./Cuba ties deteriorate to the point where The Philadelphian casino is taken over by the government, and the main players including Rick and Abe return stateside. However, instead of returning to Chicago, Rick will end up in Miami, in the middle of the Cuban ex-pats and their invasion and assassination plots, which will consume most of season 3. A 4th season would shift gears to a re-establishment of the Philadelphian, but this time in Haiti under the watchful eye of the brutal dictator Papa Doc. Haiti's proximity to Cuba, as well as Papa Doc's playing to the U.S's anti-communist sympathies will keep the possibility of a Cuban invasion or Castro assassination alive in the series.

[managermike99]

Havana Promo 2015-2016

Attachments:

[managermike99]

Moneca Delain has been signed for the fall of 2016.

[managermike99]

Havana; 2016-17 Season Preview

Liberty television has renewed "Havana" for a 3rd season this fall, as it will air Monday nights at 10:00pm/9cst, following rookie show "Rollin'".  The show has had a 9 episode front order placed but their is an expectation that a full 22 episode season will be requested. The show finished last season with a disappointing 0.8 demo but did skew older.

Last season saw Rick and others flee Cuba as "The Philadelphian" casino was taken over by the Cuban army. Abe who was arrested, and Butler who was shot to death were not so lucky.

In an interview with executive producer Robert Redford and writer/consultant Alex Von Tunzelmann they went as far as to lay out the general plans for a continued storyline for the picturesque drama. Instead of returning to Chicago, Rick will end up in Miami, in the middle of the Cuban ex-pats and their invasion and assassination plots, which will consume most of season 3. A 4th season would shift gears to a re-establishment of the Philadelphian, but this time in Haiti under the watchful eye of the brutal dictator Papa Doc. Haiti's proximity to Cuba, as well as Papa Doc's playing to the U.S's anti-communist sympathies will keep the possibility of a Cuban invasion or Castro assassination alive in the series.

The Monday at 10pm slot will run the drama up against rookie shows from ABC "Conviction", NBC "Timeless", giving way to "Taken" in the winter, and CBS' returning "Scorpion". So while it is a very drama heavy time slot there are no real heavyweights in the lineup. This compares favorably against last year where better known and hyped shows "Castle", "NCIS: Los Angeles", and "Blindspot" were the competition out of the gate. Given the improved landscape and a guest appearance in the first episode by Robert Redford, the network is hoping the show will see improved ratings this season.

Behind the scenes all the top crew have returned, and Alex Von Tunzelmann has been promoted from consultant to co-executive producer. In front of the camera Vincent Curatola who plays Abe returns, which means he might be getting out of jail. Philip Marlatt as Bill Butler is out though, and Moneca Delain "Trick 'r Treat, Lost Boys:The Tribe" as April Frost, and Alex Steele "Degrassi: Next Generation" as Angela Preston (Rick's daughter) are in. As mentioned Robert Redford will guest star in the season premiere, while Rick Roberts and Bruce Gray have landed story arcs, and Victoria Smurfit reprises her role as Gloria Smith in a recurring role as does Sasha Barrese as Elena. Dominic Chianese's role as Abe's mafia boss Mr. Borges gets an expanded look as does Anthony Ramos' role of Alex Acosta.

PRODUCTION COMPANIES

The American Film Company
Wildwood Enterprises

CREW

Robert Redford - Executive Producer

Alex Von Tunzelmann - Co-Executive Producer
Walter Salles - Producer/Director
Jerry Leider - Producer
Arlene Sanford - Director

R.J. Cutler - Director

Alrick Riley - Director

WRITERS
Michael Winterbottom
James D. Solomon
Alex Von Tunzelmann
Elizabeth Beall

Jacquelyn Reingold

Susan Nirah Jaffe

CAST

Jake Canuso as Rick Preston

Mia Maestro as Sonya Acosta
Silvestre Rasuk as Jose Fernandez
Vincent Curatola as Abe Villani
Clayne Crawford as Grier

Moneca Delain as April Frost

Alex Steele as Angela Preston (Rick's daughter)

RECURRING/GUEST STARS

Robert Redford as Senator Cliff Wallington
Victoria Smurfit as Gloria Smith

Anthony Ramos as Alex Acosta (Sonya's Brother)

Sasha Barrese as Elena

Dominic Chianese as Mr. Borges (Abe's boss)

Rick Roberts

Bruce Gray as Mr. Popeil

[managermike99]

Havana

episode guide
season 3

3.01 - "Backstretch" (2016) (Sep 19/16) 0.9/3 2.79
guest star: Robert Redford
A U.S. senator Cliff Wallington (Robert Redford) has an clandestine meeting in Miami with Rick who is the proxy for Mr. Borges, in regards to raising money for a Cuban invasion force. Rick and Borges meet with both the CIA's Grier and Gloria Smith at a Greyhound track to plot. Rick's plans to move back to Chicago are put on hold, no small thanks to Mr. Borges partially blaming Rick for the fall of the Philadelphian. Rick also witnesses some seedy activity at the race track, run by Gloria Smith, including doping and neglect of the animals. At her request Sonya's brother Alex works at trying to negotiate buying Abe's freedom.

3.02 - "Frosty Reception" (2016) (Oct 3/16) 0.8/3 2.55
Borges brings Rick out to see construction progress on a new casino in Miami, "The New Philadelphian" which he offers to Rick to manage if he continues on the "Havana Project"; also insinuating that as long as they play ball with the authorities they will look the other way to skimming, meaning Rick is looking at a 7 digit salary in the fist year alone. Jose gets a job as a cabana boy at a Miami Beach resort, but is constantly being hassled by gay guests when the bar manager spreads the word of his predications. Rick's daughter Angela arrives in Miami and after just a few days in the glorious sunshine makes a decision to make it permanent; against Rick's wishes. Gloria Smith makes a deal in regards to helping fund a Havana invasion with Grier; but it includes the two sharing a bed when she feels the need. Although Rick is upset at first that Mr. Borges hired his floor manager without his input, he quickly warms up to April Frost.

3.03 - "The Walk" (2016) (Oct 10/16) 0.8/3 2.95
Alex orchestrates Abe's release from the Cuban prison but it comes at the cost of not only money but some weapons that the mob doesn't even tell the CIA about. Rick attends a Havana fundraising event and meets the shady Mr. Popeil (Bruce Gray) who deals in weapons, and Rick suspects some human trafficking. Angela and Jose strike up an unusual friendship. April shows off her wild side. Mr. Popeil blackmails Gloria Smith and Grier. Rick receives a midnight telephone call from Elena which sends his head spinning.

3.04 - "5412" - "Beaten But Not Bowed" (Oct 17/16) 0.9/3 3.19
Jose is robbed and beaten, and he and Sonya stay with Angela and Rick while he convalesces. Sonya accompanies Rick as he plays middleman between Grier and Borges, calling on several prominent members of the Miami-Cuban business community. The New Philadelphian is on the verge of opening but April makes a critical mistake and loses a major supplier; a problem that she wants to fix herself without getting Abe involved. Abe has a rough beginning in Miami and misses the wild west of Havana. A news report comes out that 4 renegade U.S. operatives were arrested in Havana for inciting violence against the government; but any sign of the story quickly disappears.

3.05 - "Capers"
Grier and Smith strong-arm Rick into accompanying them to Mexico City so that he can witness the training of troops; saying it will help him with his fundraising efforts, but really putting him on record as complicit in the arrangement. Sonya and Jose go to Guatemala with Mr. Popeil to make a deal on weapons; but are thrown when he murders a prostitute right in front of them. Rick see's a photograph in CIA documents showing Elena operating freely in Havana just a few days ago. Abe is forced to run the casino when April gets sick while Rick is in Mexico; and when the casino is robbed all eyes turn with suspicion to April.

3.06

3.07

3.08

3.09
Christmas episode

3.10

3.11

3.12

3.13

3.14

3.15

3.16

3.17

3.18

3.19

3.20

3.21

3.22