A Law & Order: SVU fan favorite just landed their next major role, and Western fans should pay attention. The veteran actor joins an already stacked ensemble for MGM+’s ambitious new take on a classic franchise.
What Danny Pino’s addition means for MGM+’s The Magnificent Seven adaptation
Deadline exclusively reports that Danny Pino has joined the cast of MGM+’s The Magnificent Seven series. The actor will portray Santiago “Santi” Vega, a brand new character alongside Matt Dillon, Will Patton, and Michael Ealy. As a result, Pino’s addition expands an already stacked ensemble for the upcoming Western drama.
Notably, the creators built Santi as a completely new character absent from the 1960 original and Fuqua’s 2016 remake. The show describes him as “effortlessly charming, stylish, and funny” and “a master manipulator who prefers to talk his way out of trouble.” A maid raised him in San Antonio after his aristocratic father refused to claim him, pushing Santi toward cons and sharp survival instincts.
Meanwhile, the series places its story during the 1880s American frontier era. A ruthless land baron forces seven flawed mercenaries to defend a peaceful Quaker village. The show questions whether violence is justified to protect people whose faith forbids it.
Behind the scenes, Tim Kring writes and executive produces alongside Donald De Line, Lawrence Mirisch, Bruce Kaufman, and Dillon. MGM+ Studios and MGM Television Studios are jointly producing the project. Additionally, Seth Yanklewitz serves as casting director for the series.
Pino most recently led the MGM+ series Hotel Cocaine and starred as the tormented organized crime boss Miguel Galindo in FX’s Mayans M.C. He also earned widespread recognition through four seasons as Detective Nick Amaro on Law & Order: SVU.
His seven seasons as Detective Scotty Valens on Cold Case further cemented his impressive and versatile television career. Gersh and manager Geordie Frey currently represent him.
