Michael Mando has been fired from the Apple TV series Sinking Spring.
Sources say the Better Call Saul graduate, who was set to star in Ridley Scott’s eight-part series, has been fired from the show after a run-in with a co-star. Mando’s role has been recast, with Narcos alum Wagner Moura set to take on the role. Moura will be back working with Apple, having previously appeared in Shining Girls for the streamer.
Sources said Mando, who played Nacho on all six seasons of AMC’s Better Call Saul, was fired after an incident on set. The producers tried to smooth things over and a decision was made to let Mando leave the series and recast the role.
Apple officials declined to comment.
The series, which debuted in August, is based on Dennis Tafoya’s book Dope Thief and will be written by Top Gun: Maverick writer Peter Craig. Scott, whose Scott Free banner has a first-look deal with the streamer, will serve as producer and director.
Sinking Spring follows longtime Philly friends and delinquents who pose as DEA agents to rob an undisclosed country home, only to have their little prank become a life-or-death enterprise while unwittingly becoming the biggest unveil hidden narcotics and unravel corridor on east coast. Oscar nominee Brian Tyree Henry stars in the series.
Mando agreed to play Manny Cespedes, a kind-hearted friend of Ray’s (Henry) whom he first met while they were spending time together at juvenile authority. That role will now go to Moura. Marin Ireland, Kate Mulgrew, Amir Arison, Ving Rhames, Dustin Nguyen, Nesta Cooper, Idris Debrand, Liz Caribel and Will Pullen round out the cast.
Craig, whose resume also includes “The Batman” and “The Town,” will make his television debut, writing and executive producing all eight episodes and directing one episode. Scott will co-produce with fellow Scott Free Productions David W. Zucker, Jordan Sheehan and Clayton Krueger. Henry, who is due out on the fourth and final season of Atlanta in September, will also serve as producer. Author Tafoya will be a consulting producer.
J. Clara Chan contributed to this report.