By Francisco Salazar (staff@latinospost.com) | First Posted: Feb 28, 2013 03:00 PM EST

William Levy's new telenovela "La Tempestad" will officially start filming next week.

According to El Golfo, the series also starring former Miss Universe Ximena Navarrete will shoot the locations scenes first. The production will move to Boca del Rio, Veracruz and then go to studios.

According to Carlos Uscanga Sanchez, director of tourism many soap operas have wanted to film in the city because of its beaches. He added the production will try to recreate the cities traditions, and culture and will also show the festivities of "Nuestra Senora de Santa Ana"  

The production is signing the final contracts to obtain permits and will start on Wednesday.

"La Tempestad" marks Levy's return to the telenovela after excursions into U.S television and film. He was last seen in "Dancing with the Stars" and will appear in Tyler Perry's next film "Single Moms Club." The actor also starred in "Single Ladies." Rumors recently appeared on the Mexican publication Gaceta stating that Levy was unhappy with Navarrete as the lead because he wanted Thalia to star. However Levy later congratulated the model on his twitter account writing "Welcome aboard 'La Tempestad' Ximena Navarrete and congratulations on this new achievement in your career."    

Ximena Navrrete will make her soap opera debut after beating out actresses Silvia Navarro, Myriam Abreu, Angelique Boyer and Elizabeth Gutierrez for the lead role. The model is currently the face of L'Oreal Paris and Old Navy. She rose to fame after winning Miss Universe in 2010.

"La Tempestad" will also star Jessica Coch, Ivan Sannchez, Diana Bracho, Cesar Evora, Alfonso Herrera, and Luis Manuel Avila. Salvador Mejia will produce the series based on the Colombian telenovela "La Tormenta" and is set to air in Mexico in May 2013 on El Canal de la Estrellas. A U.S release has not been issued.