‘Mayans MC’ update: Emilio Rivera spending time with ‘Sons of Anarchy’ creator Kurt Sutter & co-executive producer Elgin James

Emilio Rivera, who played Marcus Alvarez in “Sons of Anarchy,” has revealed that “Mayans MC” was in the making for a long time. He has thanked show creator Kurt Sutter for keeping his character alive.

Rivera also revealed how he told Sutter not to kill his character in a petty manner. Instead, he wanted to go out of the show blazing and in style. Sutter reportedly assured Rivera that his character’s death will be a glorious one. Showrunners will start filming the pilot episode in just a couple of weeks. Rivera is one of the few members from the original team who is set to ride again. Most of the characters are not coming back. Alvarez is the founder of the Mayans and Rivera is extremely excited about the spinoff.

However, it is not yet known what Rivera’s role will be in the “Sons of Anarchy” spinoff “Mayans MC.” He has been spending a lot of time with Kurt Sutter and Elgin James, co-executive producer for Fox 21 TV Studios and FX Prods. He has also been providing new cast members instructional riding lessons in Arizona. Comic Book eked out an opportunity to have a quick chat with Rivera amidst his busy schedule. He said that the show is moving forward the way it should be.

The spinoff will take place after the events of “Sons of Anarchy” and there will be no Jax Teller, the most-beloved character from the original series, played by Charlie Hunnam. The pilot will be filmed in Los Angeles from April. The script has already been written by James and Sutter himself is directing the episode. If everything goes as per schedule, the show may be aired soon. The cast for the series includes JD Pardo, Antonio Jaramillo, Clayton Cardenas, John Ortiz, Richard Cabral, Sarah Bolger, and Edward James Olmos.

“I was sad that Jax had to die and Filip, he tred. The thing is life goes on. Business is business. I got to pay the bills. I got to feed the family so business as usual. Pretty much that's all that's been happening and now we're going to rank up and again we got to deal with it,” Rivera said about his character.

“Mayans MC” is set in the aftermath of Teller’s death and will focus on Ezekiel “EZ” Reyes (JD Pardo). He is a prospect in the Mayan MC charter on the California/Mexico border. His American dream was shattered due to cartel violence, and now he wants vengeance.