OFF THE WIRE
by: Andy Neuenschwander
There are, sadly, many months to go before FX's fall series "Sons of Anarchy" starts up its fifth season. Heck, we probably won't even see a season 5 teaser trailer until the middle of June or so. But new casting news out of the "Sons of Anarchy" camp might still give us a bit of insight into what the new season will hold.
Jimmy Smits has just been cast in the upcoming season of the biker gang drama and, according to Deadline, will be playing a "Latino gangbanger with an exit strategy who becomes a dangerous mentor for Jax" by the name of Neron "Nero" Padilla.
Judging by that whole "exit strategy" thing, it seems that Jax's main objective is still on. But the fact that Nero is described as "dangerous" indicates that Smits will likely end up the villain in season 5.
Fans of "The West Wing" may be surprised by that, considering Smits played a congressman and later presidential candidate based on then-Senator Barack Obama... so basically, a good guy. But Smits has certainly played the bad guy before as well, filling the role of the Big Bad for a full season of "Dexter" and sharing in Dex's unique hobby.
We'll keep you posted on any more news about Smits' character and bring you the show's teaser when it hits.