UL Lafayette graduate student Cris Matochi has taken his acting career up a notch.
Matochi, who earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in broadcasting, and a minor in theater, has landed a speaking role, as a police sergeant, in an upcoming episode of the CBS TV show 鈥淶oo.鈥
The prime time drama series revolves around a zoologist鈥檚 quest to unravel the mystery behind widespread animal attacks, according to CBS.com. It is based on a bestselling novel by author James Patterson.
The first episode will debut on Tuesday, June 30.
The series is being filmed in New Orleans, but the plot unfolds in 鈥渟ettings鈥 in different parts of the world, Matochi said.
Scenes featuring Matochi were shot this week. He expects the episode to air sometime mid-season.
鈥淲e finished shooting my part last night,鈥 Matochi said on Thursday. The actor is on standby in case any of the scenes need to be reshot, or tweaked. 鈥淚t鈥檚 really exciting, because this could lead to bigger and bigger roles.鈥
Matochi鈥檚 career took off after he appeared in a national TV commercial filmed by the University鈥檚 Office of Communications and Marketing.
The 30-second promotional spot was titled 鈥溾 It aired on ESPN during the 2013 football season.
Matochi, 28, who is from Brazil, has landed roles in more than a dozen TV commercials, including for Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance and Buick automobiles.
He also snagged a bit part on the small screen, as a teacher, in the ABC Family channel TV series 鈥淩avenswood.鈥
The acting bug bit Matochi while he was an undergraduate, when he landed major parts in several University productions.
His latest role will enable him to earn a Screen Actors Guild card, a coveted milestone for up-and-coming actors, since it is often a requirement for snagging roles in big productions.