VH1 announced today that Emmy nominated actress, Gloria Reuben will join the “The Breaks” in a recurring role.

Reuben will portray Malthuas “Mattie” Taylor, a powerful and polished department head at a major record company.

Inspired by “The Big Payback,” a narrative history of the hip-hop business written by journalist Dan Charnas, “The Breaks” is executive produced by Seith Mann (“The Wire,” “The Walking Dead,” “Homeland”) and John J. Strauss (“Mozart in the Jungle”).




The original film which aired on VH1 in January to much fanfare and critical acclaim, followed three young friends fulfilling their hip hop dreams in New York City in 1990. The series will continue to explore their triumph and heartbreak trying to make their mark in a new and complex hip hop culture.

Ruben joins a cast that includes: Afton Willamson, Wood Harris, Mack Wilds, Antoine Harris, David Call and Evan Handler, Melonie Diaz, Sinqua Walls and Ali Ahn.

A two time Emmy-nominee for Best Supporting Actress, Gloria Reuben’s acting credits include “ER,” “Lincoln,” and “Mr. Robot.” On stage, Reuben’s portrayal of Condoleezza Rice in David Hare’s play “Stuff Happens” at The Public Theater in NYC garnered her a Lucille Lortel Award for Best Actress. She was an Executive Producer of the 2007 Sundance Film Festival Grand Jury Prize winner “Sangre de Me Sangre.”

Mann, Charnas, Strauss, Bill Flanagan and Darren Goldberg are executive producers on “The Breaks.” Maggie Malina, Chris McCarthy and Amy Doyle will serve as executive producers for VH1.

The series is slated to premiere January 2017.

Reuben is repped by Atlas Artists and APA.