Blacktinidad is a signature LatiNation series that celebrates the diversity and richness of the Afro-Latino experience, offering a platform where stories of identity, resilience, and joy take center stage. Through bold storytelling and authentic representation, the series has cultivated a loyal and growing audience across television, streaming, and social platforms.

Hosted by Eliana, the episode follows her return to Puerto Rico for an immersive journey into the island’s Afro-descendant traditions, centering on Loíza, widely regarded as the heart of Afro-Puerto Rican culture. Her visit begins at Taller de N’Zambi, where she explores the rhythms and movement of Bomba de Loíza, one of Puerto Rico’s most powerful and historically rooted musical traditions.

The special also features an intimate visit with legendary culture bearer Raúl Ayala, whose family has preserved the artistry, history, and traditions of Bomba for more than seven decades. Eliana further dives into the cultural significance of Puerto Rico’s iconic Vejigante masks, before closing the episode at El Kiosko La Comay, a beloved Loíza institution known for its traditional cuisine and deep community roots.

The special underscores LatiNation Media’s commitment to culturally driven programming that reflects the lived experiences of U.S. bilingual and bicultural Latinos. The award-winning media company operates LATV, the independent cable network reaching 81% of U.S. Hispanic households in the top 47 DMAs, along with LatiNation FAST, the LatiNation+ app, and a robust in-house production studio. Its content spans linear TV, FAST/AVOD/CTV, digital, and social platforms.With its Black History Month Blacktinidad special, LatiNation continues to amplify Afro-Latino voices and stories, reinforcing its mission to serve as a cultural connector across the Black and Latino diaspora.

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Primo TV is stepping into 2026 with momentum, unveiling a bold refresh that brings more than 500 hours of brand-new programming to its young audience. The kid- and tween-focused network (ages 6–16) is rolling out a new on-air look, an updated programming grid, and an expansive slate of fresh content spanning animation, live action, anime, and STEM-based series—reinforcing its mission to entertain, educate, and inspire.

Launching in January, Primo TV’s refreshed screen introduces a high-energy lineup of animated programming that blends fan-favorite franchises with adventure-driven storytelling. Animation remains a cornerstone of the network’s strategy, delivering fast-paced, imaginative content designed to captivate today’s curious, media-savvy kids.

The network is also doubling down on anime, strengthening a category that continues to resonate with tweens and teens. With popular titles like Bakugan joining the lineup, Primo TV underscores its commitment to offering exciting, age-appropriate anime that balances action with positive values.

Education remains central to Primo TV’s identity, particularly through its expanding slate of nature- and STEM-focused programming. Series such as Brain Buzz and Earth Science Investigators are crafted to spark curiosity and encourage discovery, using storytelling as a gateway to learning. These shows aim to make science approachable, fun, and relevant—meeting kids where they are while nudging them to explore how the world works.

That spirit of curiosity extends across the schedule. Educational wonder takes center stage with Wow! That Is Amazing, while humor and imagination shine in playful titles like Kaeloo and You’re Called What?. Together, the lineup reflects Primo TV’s edutainment philosophy: learning through laughter, adventure, and creativity.

“Our 2026 programming refresh brings together the best of animation, live action, anime, and STEM-based content,” said Doris Vogelmann, Vice President of Programming and Operations at Vme Media. “We’re proud to continue offering programming that entertains, inspires curiosity, and gives families content they can trust.”

With its updated visual identity and robust programming expansion, Primo TV continues to strengthen its position as a trusted destination for families seeking safe, engaging, and culturally relevant content. As the first English-language network targeting U.S. bicultural Hispanic Gen Z viewers, Primo TV remains committed to helping kids stay connected to their Latino roots while enjoying programming that reflects their lives and interests.

Primo TV is currently available nationally on the Comcast Xfinity platform.

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Latinas and wellness is a growing movement. Focused on holistic health (mental, physical, emotional, financial) with an emphasis on community, cultural connection, and empowerment. LatiNation Media is leaning into that momentum with the return of its health and wellness series, Esencia: Latina Wellness, hosted by journalist Katherine Castro. Kicking off 2026, the series underscores a powerful industry truth: Latinas are not only wellness-forward consumers with disposable income—they are informed decision-makers. And information – wellness information, it what Esencia: Latina Wellness delivers.

Esencia: Latina Wellness positions itself at the intersection of science, culture, and community. The series features evidence-informed conversations that resonate with bilingual Latinas seeking clarity, credibility, and relevance in an often trend-saturated wellness marketplace.

Esencia adopts an editorial-first approach that prioritizes context over hype. Each episode brings together medical professionals, holistic practitioners, and cultural voices to examine how identity, prevention, and science shape everyday wellness decisions—an approach that mirrors the values of a sophisticated Latina audience investing in long-term health.

The new season opens with “The Benefits of Peptide Therapy,” featuring Amber Cameneti, a Beverly Hills–based registered nurse specializing in peptide therapy and regenerative wellness, and host of the Ageless Blonde podcast. The episode explores the growing interest in peptide-based treatments within longevity and preventative medicine, offering viewers a grounded, accessible look at the science, real-world applications, and lifestyle considerations driving this emerging category.

By spotlighting both innovation and expertise, Esencia taps into a broader shift within the wellness and beauty industries—one where Latinas are demanding transparency, culturally fluent care, and representation from professionals who understand their lived experiences. Just as importantly, the series reinforces a growing ecosystem of Latina support: Latinas uplifting Latina experts, brands, and businesses.

The return of Esencia: Latina Wellness also aligns with LatiNation Media’s broader strategy to expand original programming across health, lifestyle, and culturally driven verticals. As an English-language media studio serving U.S. bilingual Latinos, LatiNation continues to demonstrate how authentic, culturally rooted storytelling can drive both impact and engagement.

With its unapologetically bicultural lens and multiplatform reach—spanning linear TV, streaming, FAST/AVOD/CTV, digital, and social—LatiNation Media connects brands and audiences to what it calls “the new mainstream.” Reaching 81% of U.S. Hispanic households across the top 47 DMAs, the company remains a key player for industries looking to engage a Latina audience that is informed, influential, and investing in wellness on its own terms.

In Esencia: Latina Wellness, that influence isn’t just acknowledged—it’s center.

Available on the LatiNation App and airing nationally on LATV (check local listings),

@LatiNationmedia
#LatiNationMedia

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The filmmakers of American Sons, producer Laura Varela, along with producer and director Andrew Gonzales, skillfully use the video diaries of Corporal  Jorge “JV” Villareal, the young Marine who did not return, which he recorded for his family in San Antonio, Texas. Those diaries serve as the storyteller’s voice of day-to-day life during his tour of duty in Afghanistan; he tragically did not survive.

The film is skillfully edited into a bookend, non-linear, fractured structure that goes from the video diaries to ten years after, with his surviving Marine brothers sharing their thoughts about J. V., their struggles trying to reconnect back into the “real world”, and tender scenes of his family recalling memories of their son, JV Villareal.

The various emotional and haunting testimonials by Villareal’s brothers in arms, spoken in frank,  intimate streetwise vernacular about their PTSD, isolation, alienation, and hopelessness, often rise to the level of working-class, urban free verse poetry. There’s an eloquent urgency to their authenticity that echoes the pain of servicemen from past conflicts and foreshadows what may be awaiting those serving in the military now.

The overarching truth of American Sons is in its honoring and celebration of those generations of men and women who have given us so much and all too often received so little in return.

American Sons also underscores and reminds us of the tremendous contributions and historic participation of Latinos in the U.S. armed forces since the days of the American Revolution to the present.

It is an honorable legacy of our heritage that Latinos are the most decorated ethnic group in the long and storied annals of American military conflicts.

The story of JV Villareal and his Marine brothers in American Sons is an important chapter in the book of that proud history.

American Sons is a co-production of Infinite Warrior LLC, Latino Public Broadcasting, and Black Public Media. Major funding by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and additional support by the Jacquie Jones Memorial Fund. This project was made possible with support from California Humanities, a non-profit partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Additional funding is provided by Bexar County and the City of San Antonio Arts and Culture.

American Sons premieres on PBS on Monday, January 12. Check local listings for time.

The post American Sons: A Documentary Film first appeared on .

Written by Bel Hernandez Castillo

A Hollywood celebration happens in Tucson, Arizona, on October 19, when actors, producers, and fans gather to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the groundbreaking Showtime family drama Resurrection Blvd. The hit series, which ran for three seasons, broke new ground as the first dramatic television show created, written, and performed by an all-Latino cast.

For creator Dennis Leoni, who was born and raised in Tucson, this milestone marks a true homecoming — where his real-life family and his beloved on-screen family reunite in a heartfelt celebration of legacy, culture, and storytelling.

The event, titled “A Day with Resurrection Blvd. – The 25th Anniversary Celebration,” will take place at the historic Fox Tucson Theatre, the crown jewel of downtown Tucson. This landmark Art Deco venue is the ideal setting for a series that continues to resonate with audiences and inspire new generations of Latino creatives.

“Resurrection Blvd. is the defining moment of my lifelong career in television,” says Dennis Leoni, creator and executive producer. “It’s incredibly meaningful to bring this 25th Anniversary Celebration to my hometown, and to host it at The Fox Theatre — the very place where I saw my first movie over sixty years ago. I can’t wait to share the pilot, behind-the-scenes clips, and stories from the making of this groundbreaking series.”

The celebration will feature a screening of the pilot episode, rare behind-the-scenes footage, and an engaging live panel discussion moderated by Tucson born talent Dan Guerrero with cast and crew members reflecting on the show’s lasting influence.

Confirmed guests include Dennis Leoni, Tony Plana, Michael DeLorenzo, Ruth Livier, Nicholas Gonzalez, Mauricio Mendoza, Daniel Zacapa, and possibly Esai Morales,  The panel will be moderated by acclaimed producer and performer Dan Guerrero.

To honor the show’s enduring impact on Latino representation, the event will also introduce The Leoni Filmmaking Scholarship, a new initiative to support emerging storytellers. A $2,500 scholarship will be awarded to a local high school film student, nominated by their teacher and selected for excellence in storytelling. The winner will be announced at their school and formally recognized on stage during the celebration.

For fans seeking an elevated experience, VIP tickets offer access to an exclusive after-party, where guests can mingle with the cast and creative team, enjoy hors d’oeuvres, and raise a glass to the show’s remarkable legacy.

“Resurrection Blvd. broke barriers and gave a voice to stories that continue to inspire,” says Chris Scott of Elephant Scout, co-organizer of the event. “This anniversary celebration at Fox Tucson Theatre is not just about looking back—it’s about celebrating how far Latino storytelling has come and where it’s headed next.”

Whether you grew up watching Resurrection Blvd. or are discovering it for the first time, this 25th Anniversary Celebration is a powerful reminder of the show’s enduring message — that family, identity, and resilience transcend generations. 

This exclusive celebration, presented by Elephant Scout Films, will take place at the historic Fox Tucson Theatre, located at 17 W Congress St, Tucson, AZ, on October 19, 2025.  Special thank to The Leo Kent, the Resurrection Blvd. 25th Anniversary official hotel partner.

To join in on the celebration in Tucson on October 19 Event Details:
What: A Day with Resurrection Blvd · The 25th Anniversary Celebration
Where: Fox Tucson Theatre, 17 W Congress St, Tucson, AZ 85701
When: October 19, 2025. Doors Open at 2:00 pm MST
Tickets: Available at www.foxtucson.com/resurrection. General admission and limited VIP tickets for the exclusive after-party are on sale now.

The post ‘Resurrection Blvd’ 25th Anniversary Celebration in Tucson’s Fox Theatre With Cast Reunion first appeared on .

Inclusive Excellence. The IMAGEN Awards are a four-decade-long Latino awards tradition.  transcending borders to honor excellence in entertainment both in English and Spanish.  They are a bridge that reaches across the cultural board of Chicano, Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Venezuelan, Dominican, Chilean, Colombian, Spanish, Brazilian, Argentine…and those who collaborate creatively with the Latino community. 

Twenty-seven categories embrace the creative contributions of the individuals whose extraordinary work alternately brings joy, understanding, hilarity, clarity, and hope to audiences of all ages.    

The Imagen Foundation’s beginning dates back to a 1983 meeting between Television Producer Norman Lear and Helen Hernandez, Vice President of Public Affairs for his company, Embassy Communications. Out of this meeting emerged the Imagen Awards competition, which aimed at recognizing and celebrating the positive portrayals of Latinos in film and television.

 “As we celebrate 40 years of the Imagen Awards, I am filled with pride for how far we’ve come in elevating Latino voices in Hollywood, Hernandez said.  “What began as a vision to create greater opportunity and representation has become a steadfast movement that continues to showcase the extraordinary talent and cultural richness of our creative community.” 

The complete list of Honorees and Winners is as follows: Gustavo Dudamel [Presidents’ Award, Dailyn Rodriguez [Norman Lear Writer’s Award] top acting honors went to: John Leguizamo, Barbie Ferreira, Sofia Carson, Benjamín Bratt, Sasha Calle, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Gabriel Luna, Rafael Cebrián, Brian Jordan Alvarez, Camila Perez, London Garcia, Liza Colón-Zayas, Brice Gonzalez, Natalia del Riego, Danny Trejo. Directors Alonso Ruizpalacios, Andor and Fede Álvarez Alien: Romulus.  Composers Gustavo Santaolalla, Javier Nuño & Joe Rodríguez. 

Winning Shows: The Last of Us, Land of Women tied with Y Llegaron de Noche, Documentary Voces: American Historia: The Untold History of Latinos, Dora won for Animation.  Best Documentary Las Amazonas de Yaxunah (ESPN) Best Informational Program ABC News Studios – “Latinos in Hollywood: Owning Our Destiny” (ABC News; ABC News Studios) Short Film Remember Us.

The Imagen Awards are scheduled to air on PBS during Hispanic Heritage Month on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at 9:00 p.m. (PST). Check your local listings.

*Interviews with Nominees and Guests to Follow.  LINKS: Full list of nominees: Imagen Awards Nominees 2025; More information: imagen.org; Follow on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok: @imagenfoundation

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“Arrive at the Gates” Column By Judi Jordan for Latin Heat

This year two of the IMAGEN Awards Best Actor in a TV Drama nominees, Pedro Pascal and Diego Luna, exemplify the IMAGEN Awards mission by portraying Latinos as layered, emotionally resonant figures at the heart of the global sci-fi phenomena. Pascal, as the grieving father tasked with protecting humanity’s last hope, and Luna, as the revolutionary mind behind a galaxy’s fight for freedom. Both prove beyond doubt their ability to anchor entire fictional universes with vulnerability and moral complexity —roles long reserved for others.

Despite their very different career paths, both have become the emotional core of massive franchises, bringing audiences around the world deeply nuanced and fully realized characters. They are themselves extensions of the best of their characters. Luna’s mantra “Cinema is a mirror that can change the world”; and Pedro’s consistent message to fans, “I Love You” emanate authentically from the personal journeys of these very different, gifted artists. 

Two of the most magnetic Latino talents in cinema now stand at the center of entertainment’s most passionate fandoms—sci-fi enthusiasts and gamers alike. Pascal and Luna’s paths to genre stardom reveal strikingly different trajectories that converge in their mastery of complex, morally ambiguous characters in beloved franchises.

Pascal’s journey embodies the classic late-bloomer narrative. Born in Chile and raised in California, he spent over two decades grinding through small television roles and theater work, always struggling financially while honing his craft. His breakthrough didn’t arrive until his mid-forties, when an introduction from steadfast friend Sarah Paulsen to David Benioff EP/Creator Game of Thrones landed him in his career-defining role as Oberyn Martell in this series. That explosive performance and dramatic death opened doors to Narcos, where he portrayed DEA agent Javier Peña, and eventually to the career-transforming role of Din Djarin in The Mandalorian. His latest TV triumph as Joel Miller in The Last of Us showcases an actor who learned patience and persistence, drawing on weathered authenticity for every role.

Luna’s path followed a more traditional arc of early success and sustained excellence. The Mexican actor burst onto the international scene at just twenty with Alejandro González Iñárritu’s Amores Perros, establishing himself as a formidable talent. His career has been marked by deliberate choices spanning Mexican cinema and Hollywood projects, from Y Tu Mamá También to Rogue One. In the title role of Andor, Luna brings gravitas and political complexity to Cassian Andor, crafting a revolutionary whose quiet intensity anchors Disney’s grittiest Star Wars series.

The contrast extends to their on-screen personas. Pascal’s Joel is a surrogate father figure hardened by apocalyptic loss, while Luna’s Cassian represents an idealistic rebellion gradually tempered by harsh realities. Pascal excels at emotional vulnerability beneath gruff exteriors; Luna masters contained intensity and moral ambiguity.

Both actors now navigate the uniquely demanding landscape of sci-fi and gaming fandoms—audiences notorious for their encyclopedic knowledge, fierce loyalties, and unforgiving standards for authenticity and character consistency. These hard-core fans scrutinize every detail, from source material fidelity to character motivations, making successful genre work both career-defining and career-threatening.

Yet their approaches to sci-fi stardom couldn’t be more different. Pascal has fully embraced his ascension to leading man status, particularly with his casting as Reed Richards in Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps. 

Initially skeptical about portraying the brilliant astrophysicist, Pascal has since thrown himself gleefully into promoting the MCU blockbuster with his characteristic warmth for fans and vulnerability with the media. Behind the confident, flirty, dancing persona lies profound vulnerability. 

In a revealing Vanity Fair interview, Pascal opened up about the heartbreak that has shaped him: his mother’s suicide when he was 24, which left him unable to celebrate birthdays for 25 years until he finally reclaimed his 50th with a multi-day celebration. “Fifty felt more vulnerable—much more vulnerable,” he admitted, describing the paradox of achieving maximum success while feeling most exposed.

Luna, by contrast, remains deliberately low-key despite his Andor acclaim. Even as executive producer of the series, he focuses on the craft rather than celebrity, consistently steering interviews toward storytelling and social issues rather than personal fame. He prefers characters with contradictions, explaining “I don’t like the moral approach of good and bad”. Luna maintains his commitment to Mexican cinema via his production company and carefully chosen international projects.

Their future trajectories reflect these contrasting philosophies. Pascal’s Marvel contract extends through Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars, cementing his place in Hollywood’s biggest franchise. 

Meanwhile, Luna continues balancing intimate directorial projects like Ceniza en la Boca with thriller Eleven Days, maintaining the artistic integrity that has defined his career since Y Tu Mamá También.  However, as Andor ends its two season run, Luna will be very busy promoting the much anticipated premiere of The Kiss of the Spider Woman in which Luna stars as Valentin a political prisoner alongside Tonatiuh (as Molina) and Jennifer Lopez (as Hollywood Diva) due to premiere October 10, 2025.

Pascal and Luna have not merely survived sci-fi scrutiny, they’ve earned reverence by bringing psychological depth to characters that could easily become one-dimensional. Their contrasting approaches—Pascal’s embrace of blockbuster stardom versus Luna’s measured artistic choices—prove that great genre acting requires the same commitment to truth and complexity as any dramatic role, perhaps more so given the passionate, discerning audiences watching every move.

The Imagen Awards will take place on August 22, 2025 at The Beverly Hilton. Tickets are still available HERE

The post Pedro Pascal and Diego Luna: Sci-Fi Idols in Unique Star Vehicles first appeared on .

Written by Judi Jordan

The Imagen Awards was co-founded by legendary television producer and writer Norman Lear, who lived to the ripe age of 101, and passed in 2023. A deeply curious and humane person, Mr. Lear’s awareness of the void of positive portrayals of Latinos in the entertainment industry gave weight to the importance of positive Latino images. 

Norman Lear would be so proud of the 2025 nominees. His quest to see Latinos portrayed with respect and creativity is met in the ten categories including Drama, Comedy, Docs, Shorts and more. Helen Hernandez is the President & Founder of the Imagen Foundation who produces the Imagen Awards.

LATIN HEAT + IMAGEN  – Part One

The suave Latin devils of old Hollywood TV cliches have been replaced by a crop of intriguing, grown men with callings, consciences and inner conflicts. 

These new Drama Kings are dyslexic, intuitive, vulnerable (Will Trent/ Ramón Rodriguez) caring, conflicted, educated (The Cleaning Lady/Santiago Cabrera) regretful, emotive and resolute, (The Last of Us/Pedro Pascal) evolved, affable and effective, (Lincoln Lawyer/Manuel Garcia-Rulfo) and lonely, wary, idealistic (Andor/Diego Luna) These roles played to the talent’s dramatic strengths while offering exciting nuances that kept audiences tuning in weekly or binging – streamer contingent.  

Drama Kings – modern Latin Lovers are vulnerable, aspirational, responsible and gainfully-if sometimes painfully-employed. These seasoned IMAGEN-nominated men defy the tired one-dimensional stereotypes of heartless seducers, skeezy scammers and gun-happy cholos.

Established TV and film stars in uncommen roles wowed their fans with new facets of their talent and audiences approved. With resumes, personas and ‘chops’ that TV networks and streamer execs respect, TV showrunners craft episodes that highlight and challenge their characters’ strengths. 

Three seasons of Will Trent blew up the long, steady career of Ramón Rodriguez! Who knew he had 20+ film roles on his resume including G-20, Gang Related, Transformers? His memorable early TV work on The Wire 2002-2008 laid the foundation. By the time Will Trent arrived, Ramón Rodriguez, in the title role, was more than ready. His heartfelt, eccentric Southern detective is fascinating, never parodied. Will Trent, broken and brave feels embedded in his soul, but joy has crept into the series with dance numbers that lighten the storyline and a thoughtful, romantic storyline with Gina Rodriguez that fans loved.

An executive producer on the show, Rodriguez directed the exceptional Season 3 premiere episode and will direct again in Season 4. Deadline broke the story that Rodriguez recently signed a multi-year deal with 20^th Television, to develop and produce series and films for Disney, a fitting outcome for the gifted, dedicated multi-hyphenate. 

Santiago Cabrera is nominated for his dark turn as Jorge Sanchez, the highly-reluctant Harvard-educated drug cartel leader of the Sin Cara Cartel, in the gritty Fox/Hulu series The Cleaning Lady. Chilean-born Cabrera joined the show in seasons 3 and 4. Typically cast as the hero, female fans still swoon over his pitch-perfect portrayal of dashing, soulful Aramis in the 3-season BBC hit show Musketeers, now airing on Hulu. His 20-year working streak of good guy supporting and leads in Picard, Heroes, Merlin, Salvation, and prestige series romantic roles in Big Little Lies, Flight Attendant, Land of Women, and a kindly ghost Richard Deetz in Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice called for a change. 

Cabrera had resisted drug lord roles for years; but tempted by the premise, he used his discomfort – his very conflicted Jorge feels real. He admits, “It was fun to play the bad guy.” Audiences witnessed a very different Cabrera with a gun in his hand wading through cartel carnage as the ambiguous yet ambitious man with a plan that goes south by the hour. Not to mention a fraudulent marriage with Thony, a fearless Cambodian female doctor (played by Elodie Yung), who dissects bodies of cartel enemies in exchange for his protection. Plagued at every step by his obsessed sociopath sister Ramona (Kate de Castillo) for control of Sin Cara, Santiago’s Jorge is an idealist, out of his depth in the blood-soaked world.  

STAY TUNED.  NEXT UP: Sci-Fi Nominees

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In 2023 when This Fool starring Chris Estrada was unexpectedly cancelled after season two, fans were quick to rally—sparking online petitions and talk of lobbying Hulu to bring it back. Estrada’s unique comedic voice stood apart from the sitcom stars who came before him. Unlike the broader humor of Freddie Prinze, George Lopez, or Gabriel Iglesias, Estrada’s deadpan delivery, sharp wit, and occasional mean streak brought a refreshing edge to Latino comedy on television.

This Fool didn’t just make waves—it made Estrada a breakout star. It also proved there was an audience hungry for stories outside of the usual tropes. Estrada’s sharp writing and original voice earned him millions of new fans and solidified his place as one of comedy’s most exciting new comedic talents.

Now, Estrada is back with a brand-new project, and this time he’s stepping into network television.

Estrada is set to co-write and executive produce Forklift, a single-camera warehouse comedy currently in development at NBC. As with This Fool, Forklift is loosely inspired by Estrada’s own life. Before landing his first series at Hulu, Estrada spent years grinding in warehouse jobs, an experience he now flips into comedy gold.

Co-written with Rick Cisario, Forklift centers on Victor (played by Estrada), a forklift driver who is suddenly promoted to warehouse supervisor. His promotion changes the dynamics with his coworkers, who now view him in a completely different light and have a hard time adjusting to his new role. The premise promises the same grounded, working-class humor that made This Fool so resonant—this time through the lens of workplace politics and friendships.

Estrada’s rise is a big win not only for his fans but for the ongoing push to amplify Latino voices in Hollywood. While Latinos make up nearly 20% of the U.S. population, the stories told about them—and more importantly, the people telling those stories—remain disproportionately few. Estrada stands out because he’s not just starring in these shows; he’s writing and producing them.

By creating characters and situations pulled from his own lived experiences, Estrada brings authenticity and specificity to Latino storytelling that feels both universal and unapologetically personal.

Forklift has the potential to broaden his reach even further, introducing mainstream NBC audiences to his unique perspective. It’s also a hopeful sign that networks are starting to invest in stories that reflect the diversity of the communities they serve. Estrada and Cisario will also executive produce alongside Good Walk’s Kent Alterman and Sarah Babineau will serve as executive producer for Good Walk their production company. Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group, is the studio.

With Forklift in the works, Estrada is proving that he’s not a one-hit wonder but a creative force with staying power. As he continues to navigate Hollywood on his own terms, fans can look forward to more of the sharp, socially conscious comedy that first put him on the map.

Estrada isn’t just back—he’s leveling up.

The post Chris Estrada Is Coming Back to TV and Building His Own Lane in Hollywood first appeared on .

REVIEW By Bel Hernandez Castillo

Leguizamo Does America is back for Season 2, and its return couldn’t be more timely. At a moment when harmful rhetoric and misinformation about Latinos is dominating headlines, this six-episode series flips the narrative. Instead of portraying Latinos as takers, Leguizamo Does America showcases what U.S. Latinos have always been: builders, innovators, and culture shapers. 

In these times the MSNBC TV series becomes more than a docuseries—it becomes an antidote, a cultural resistance providing visibility and celebration wrapped in a bold, funny, and fiercely loving package.

Leguizamo Does America, is an NBC News Studios and Casa NOHO Production, created and hosted by Emmy and Tony award-winning actor John Leguizamo. “For season two, I wanted to go deeper into America and put a magnifying glass on Latino exceptionalism, Latino ingenuity, and Latino genius,” says Leguizamo.

Under director Ben DeJesus guidance and the excellent production skills of showrunner Carolina Saavedra the audience is taken on a cultural journey of Latino excellence in six stunningly shot and powerful episodes filmed in New Orleans, Philadelphia, Denver, Phoenix, Raleigh, and San Antonio.  Leguizamo meets the artists, chefs, activists, and cultural entrepreneurs—who are making an undeniable impact across the U.S.

The opening episode takes us to Philadelphia, the birthplace of the USA where we learn of the major role Latinos played in the American Revolution. We find out the famous Philly cheesesteak has been Latinized and people are loving it…and literally “eating it up”.  

In Raleigh, North Carolina, home to Academy Award winning actress Ariana deBose, we learn, among other things, how immigrants were brought into the US by corporations to help save the poultry industry there; how the Flor de Hidalgo dance group is keeping Mexican folklorico alive — and giving Leguizamo the host, a change to show off his “zapateado”. This episode drives home the notion that whether honoring or correcting historical erasure, Latinos in America are living examples of what it means to own our story while shaping America’s future.

In San Antonio, we meet the Castros—Congressman Joaquin Castro and his mother Rosie Castro, a lifelong activist and community organizer who helped lay the groundwork for modern Chicano politics in San Antonio. We’re also introduced to Shelly Lares, the legendary Tejano artist whose career has not only been preserving traditional music but passing it on with a Tex Mex twist to new generations with pride and purpose.

In Phoenix, Leguizamo goes head to head with WNBA’s great Diana Taurasi in a round of “hoops”. While in Denver Leguizamo explores the birthplace of the Chicano Movement, while also suiting up for a “lucha libre” bout at Hugo’s Lucha Libre cultural landmark arena.

Throughout the series, we meet musicians, chefs, artists, and entrepreneurs who are not just surviving—but thriving. And let’s talk about the food. From Mexican carnitas  to Venezuelan arepas to Tex-Mex fajitas the series celebrates Latino culinary excellence. Several featured chefs are James Beard Award winners and nominees, further proving what we’ve always known—Latinos are impacting cuisine in a most delicious way.

Think about it: tomatoes, vanilla, avocados, chocolate —these and so many other staples of global food culture are gifts from the Americas, cultivated and cherished by Indigenous and Latin communities for centuries. Leguizamo Does America honors that legacy, and reminds us of the central role Latinos play in the culinary world globally.

This is part of our resistance showing Latin joy, Latin success, Latin excellence, Latin genius, Latin exceptionalism and innovation” — John Leguizamo.

The historical context, too, is essential. The episodes filmed in New Orleans, Phoenix, and San Antonio underscore that Latino roots in America run deep—long before the arrival of the European immigrants. These are not stories of outsiders or newcomers; these are stories of indigenous peoples and Latinos who helped build this nation.

At the recent MSNBC LA premiere for Leguizamo Does America, Leguizamo spoke to a who’s who of Hollywood executives, actors, directors, producers and executives about the upcoming series.  “This is part of our resistance showing Latin joy, Latin success, Latin excellence, Latin genius, Latin exceptionalism and innovation” he said. That is exactly what Leguizamo Does America does once again in season 2. The series shines an undeniable  bright light on a community that has been here longer than America itself. Latinos in the U.S. are 65 million strong, they are American and they are here to stay.

WHERE TO WATCH:

• MSNBC: The series airs on MSNBC on Sundays at 9 p.m. ET. 
• Peacock: You can also stream the show on Peacock. 
• Roku: The Roku Channel offers access to the show, with options to buy episodes or watch through streaming services that carry MSNBC. 
• Other Streaming Services: Check platforms like Fubo, Sling TV, DIRECTV, Xumo Play, Apple TV, and Amazon Prime Video for availability. 

The post ‘Leguizamo Does America’ Is the Cultural Resistance We Need Right Now first appeared on .