This year 2,800 performers vie for an Emmy nomination in 2022.  That is 935 more entrants than last year. One hundred and ninety-seven (197) of the contenders for an Emmy nomination, considered the highest honor a TV performer can attain, are Latinos.   

While there isn’t any known research to compare the number of Latino entrants in the past years, this year’s list of Latino contenders for a 2022 Emmy nomination is remarkable.  Will the large number of possible Latino nominees lead to Emmy winners?  Historically, Latinos are usually left out of the Emmys, underrepresented, or not even in the running. The decidedly record number of submissions could be an indication that Latinos are being proactive in increasing the visibility of their work at the Emmys, that would definitely elevated their stature in Hollywood.

This year there seem to be more “independent” submission by either the talent themselves of the production companies. Typically, the networks, cablers or streamers pay the entry fee to submit performers and/or creatives who they feel have a good chance of winning the Emmy. This year several independent production companies and individuals submitted themselves when their broadcast platforms indicated they would not be submitting them. One such production company is New Cadance Production who produce HBO Max’s The Garcias. Executive Producer/Creator Jeff Valdez share with that their production company had submitted in 29 different categories, the majority in the acting categories and definitely some of their creatives.

Come September 12, 2022 when the Emmys air on NBC, it will be interesting to see if diversity at the Emmys will, this year also include Latine talent.

For a bit of an overall perspective.  The number of submissions vying for an Emmy nomination as a whole, is up in all categories and it breaks down like this:

• Entries in the Comedy category are up from 576 to 984 entries.

• Entries in the Drama category are up from 928 to 1,243 entries.

• Entries in the TV Movie/Limited category are up from 361 to 573 

These numbers do not take into account all the categories.  This break down is only for the performer categories.  The creative categories which include the producers of the shows, the directors, writers, and the technical categories could number in the thousands.

Of the 197 Latine contenders, the shows with the most Latinos submitted for an Emmy nomination are FXs Mayans MC created by Kurt Sutter and Elgin James with 13 submissions; HBO Max’s The Garcias created by Jeff Valdez, Gibby and Mike Cevallos with 12 submissions; and  Apple TV’s Acapulco created by Eduardo Cisneros, Jason Shuman and Austin Winsberg with 10 submissions. Gentefied, created by Linda Yvette Chavez and Marvin Lemus, and executive produced America Ferrera has submitted eight names for possible noms.  On My Block, created by Eddie Gonzalez, Jeremy Haft and Lauren Lungerich submitted five talents; while Hightown, created by Rebecca Perry Cutter and starring Monica Raymund, and With Love, created by Gloria Calderon Kellett and Mike Royce, both submitted four talents each. 

Actors in some of the most popular and/or critically acclaimed shows currently airing on broadcast, cable and the streamers include Rosario Dawson and Benjamin Bratt in HBO Max’s DMZ; Adan Canto in FOX’s The Cleaning Lady; Rosie Perez in HBO Max’s The Flight Attendant; Nicholas Gonzalez in NBC’s La Brea, and many more in contention. 

The breakdown for the Latino Emmy Award contenders is as follows:

ACTOR:

38 – Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama

22 – Outstanding Supporting Actor in Comedy Series

13 – Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series, Anthology or Movie

11 – Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series

10 – Outstanding Actor/Comedy Series

  7 – Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series

  5 – Outstanding Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

ACTRESSES:

32 – Outstanding Supporting Actress in Comedy Series

22 – Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

10 – Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series

  8 – Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy

  6 – Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama

  6 – Outstanding Lead Actress in Limited or Anthology Series of Movie

  5 – Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series, Anthology or Movie

  4 – Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama

  2 – Outstanding Actress in a Short Form Comedy or Drama

The TV shows with most Latino performers seeking an Emmy nomination are:

TO SEE FULL LIST OF NAMES SUBMITED FOR EMMY CONSIDERATION CLICK HERE

^{*We have included a couple of Brazilian actors to this list}

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Fans have been patiently waiting for the renewal of the coming-of-age, in-the-hood, centric On My Block.  Today Netflix announced that the series has been renewed for a fourth season, with an order of 10 new episodes, marking the last and final episode of the series.

On My Block, a series about a group of friends who have weathered bullying, deaths, treasure hunting, gangs, love, angst and more, puts a spotlight on an ethnic neighborhood, exploring the lives of Black and brown kids in South Los Angeles. 

With Covid prolonging the announcement of the return of On My Block, actors Diego Tincoco (Cesar), Brett Gray (Jamal), Sierra Capri (Monsé), Jason Genao (Ruby), Julio Macias (Oscar), and Jessica Marie Garcia (Jasmine), will be back to give audiences a chance to say farewell to the series that was voted Netflix’s “most binged show in 2018” the year it was released.

The fourth season will take up where season three left off.  However, as is the case with the writers, you don’t always get what you think is going to happen. Creators Lauren Lungerich, Eddie Gonzales and Jeremy Haft have a way of ending each season with a cliffhanger.  At the end of season one, Ruby (Jason Genao) is shot and the teaser for season two showed Ruby in a coffin.  When season two rolls around, a cleverly written episode explains how Ruby survived to live another season, in this case three more counting the new announced fourth.

What can we expect for the fourth season?  Last year a trailer teasing a possible fourth season showed Cesar (Tinoco) in full-out gang attire, while his gang member brother, Oscar (Macias) was shown clean cut, grilling at a family bar-b-q.   Is it a dream or is that the new reality?  Stay tuned to see how the creators of the show explain this one.

For actors who were mostly unknown when they were cast, having been in a hit show on Netflix can be a career changer. We are certain we will be seeing more of them in the future… just not “On My Block”.

— Bel Hernandez

Featured Photo: Netflix

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One of the most anticipated biographical dramas from Netflix is Selena: The Series, about Tejano singer Selena Quintanilla.  It highlights the sacrifices made by the family, the band, and Selena to attain her galaxy of success. And, while Selena’s story has a tragic ending, it is the journey that is being told — no stone left unturned– including the casting by Carla Hool.

Recently we interviewed, Julio Macias (On My Block, Jane The Virgin, S.W.A.T.), who portrays Pete Astudillo in the series, one of Tejano music’s most revered vocalists and composers, who was a member of Selena’s band, Selena y Los Dinos. 

Astudillo is credited with singing two duets with the famous songbird: 1989’s Amame, Quiereme, and 1992’s Siempre Estoy Pensando en Ti, both of which were nominated for Vocal Duo of the year at the Tejano Music Awards. He also co-wrote some of Selena’s number one hits such as Bidi Bidi Bom Bom, Amor Prohibido, and the BMI award-winners La Carcacha, Que Creias, and Como la Flor. 

Macias is best known for his role as Oscar “Spooky” Diaz on the Netflix series, On My Block, the teen comedy-drama streaming television series, which premiered in 2018. A fan favorite for this role with 1.3 million followers on Instagram, he commands respect for both his talent and his leading man looks. Macias shared his insight about his new role on Selena: The Series: 

LATIN HEAT: Welcome, Julio! You are one busy guy — tell us about landing the role of Pete Astudillo.

JULIO MACIAS: I never actually read for Pete but I did read for Chris [Perez] a couple of times. It was just a very long audition process. Carla Hool, the casting director, did her due diligence in meeting and auditioning with a lot of actors. I read for the roles of Chris [Perez, portrayed by Jesse Posey], Joe [Ojeda, portrayed by Carlos Alfredo Jr., and others. 

But when I booked Pete, I really didn’t know much about him [so] I started to read up on him. I was blown away– he was not only an accomplished duet vocalist but also a composer with an amazing repertoire. He started co-writing with A.B. [Quintanilla] and Selena, so a lot of songs  we now love and remember are because of Pete’s contributions. And, as they say in Mexico, “era una balla” [he was like a bullet] —  the guy danced, could sing, compose, so they were big shoes to fill for sure.   

LH: How familiar were you with Selena’s songs?

JM:  I knew about Selena kind of like how everyone else knew her. I mean these songs are songs that you put on…you can’t help but kind of rock…, even if you’re not a Selena fan, it’s one of those songs…your’re just born to love. 

LH: But I hear your singing also convinced the producers you were the guy for the role, right?

JM: I read for one of the executive producers, Rico Martinez, and he asked if I could sing, and I said, yeah what do you want. He says ‘anything in Spanish’.  So I said I know some mariachi and boleros and I sang La media Vuelta.  The room went silent — then they were like, ‘Spooky” can sing!’” 

LH: We heard that Noemi Gonzalez had to learn how to play the drums. Did you have to learn to play any instruments?

JM: Noemi…whew, salute to her.  She really learned how to play the drum and she kept the beat for us. But no, no instruments. But I did have to learn how to “cumbia”.   I did not know that dance and I actually practiced long and hard at the studio. I was consumed and totally dedicated to mastering the dance–my 2-3-kick, back step..in the grocery store…in the shower…while I was cooking.

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LH: Selena has become such an icon.  In your own words, what has it been like to work on Selena: The Series?

JM: Daunting at first. And then as soon as the cast clicked, it was a blast. We were given the liberty to perform. It was like forming a new band if you will.  There were moments when Christian Serratos (who plays Selena) would twirl and I’d say ‘yo am I on stage performing with Selena.  This is crazy?’ It was this euphoric energy.  

LH: As excited as we are about Selena: the Series, we are also dying to know about On My Block. It was announced that it got picked up for a 4th season.  Can you give us some insight into what to expect?

JM:  I know kind of where the 4th season is going and I’m very excited to bring this version of Oscar to the public…but that is about all I got…

LH:  OK, we’ll take it!  We looking forward to seeing what is in store on the fourth season of On My Block, and binging on Selena: the Series.  Thank you so much for talking to us.

the first nine episodes of Selena: The Series are currently straming on Netflix.

Production company and producers:  Campanario Entertainment and Q Productions. Executive producers: Moisés Zamora, Suzette Quintanilla, AB Quintanilla, Jr., Rico Martinez, and Hiromi Kamata

Selena: The Series’ main cast consists of: Christian Serratos as Selena, Ricardo Antonio Chavira as Abraham Quintanilla, Seidy Lopez as Marcella Quintanilla , Gabriel Chavarria as AB Quintanilla, Noemi Gonzalez as Suzette Quintanilla, Julio Macias as Pete Astudillo, and Jesse Posey as Chris Perez

The post Julio Macias From “Spooky” to Pete Astudillo In ‘Selena: The Series’ first appeared on .

As the TV series pick up or renewal period is coming to an end, ABC television executives are still keeping us in limbo about The Baker and the Beauty. Although the season finale, a two hour special clocked in their highest rating delivering a 0.6 rating in the adults 18-49 demographic for the first hour and 3.01 million viewers, ABC is slow in announcing a renewal.

But since we are still in the COVID-19 pandemic and quarantined, the only thing that is certain is that executives continue to scramble to decide which shows stay and which will be cancelled.

Here’s a ShowBuzz on who is IN or OUT on Latino themed series across the scope of broadcast TV, Streaming and cable:

The Baker and the Beauty — In or Out?

The ABC dramedy is still waiting for an official Season 2 pickup. Our favorite bakery family has not been told if they will be renewed. What! It should be a slam dunk that fan-favorite series be renewed. The Baker and the Beauty is about a young man named Daniel Garcia who works in the family bakery, but then he meets superstar Noa Hamilton, and his life moves into the spotlight. The story ride is hilarious, painful, and joyful. The series is high quality, great writing, and with a stellar cast starring Victor Rasuk (Fifty Shades of Grey), Natalie Kelley, Carlos Gomez, Dan Bucatinsky, Lisa Vidal, David Del Rio, Belissa Escobedo, and Michelle Veintimilla.

The series is an adaptation of the Israeli romantic-comedy Beauty and the Baker. The American version was developed and executive produced by Dean Georgaris, Becky Hartman Edwards, David Frankel, Avi Nir, Alon Shtruzman, Peter Traugott, Assi Azar, and Rachel Kaplan for Universal Television. To date, ABC has yet to renew or cancel. Stay tuned.

Vida Cancelled — Sad and Bittersweet Goodbye

Who knows why on earth the suits at Starz decided to end this critically acclaimed drama after just three seasons. Amid the COVID-19 crisis, the executives decided to rob us of this award-winning complex dramedy set in Boyle Heights and with an LGBTQ-focused theme of Season 4.

The third season of Tanya Saracho’s Chingona Productions Vida debuted on the Starz network in May 2018. On April 26th Starz announced that the series starring Melissa Barrera (In the Heights), Mishel Prada (Riverdale), and Ser Anzoategui (East Los High) had canceled the series. When Vida first debuted, many television reviewers deemed it “one of the best new shows of 2018.” During its second season, the show won the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Comedy Series in 2019.

Vida was inspired by a short story titled Pour Vida Richard Villegas Jr. The series went on to also star Chelsea Rendon, Carlos Miranda, Maria-Elena Laas, and Roberta Colindrez.

Netflix’s Gentefied— Renewed for 2nd Season!

Another dramedy that started out as a web TV series, premiered on Netflix on February 21, 2020. The series stars Karrie Martin, Joseph Julian Soria, Carlos Santos, and Joaquin Cosio. In recurring roles are Julissa Calderon, Annie Gonzalez, Laura Patalano, Felipe Esparza, Rafael Sigler, Jaime Alvarez, Bianca Melgar, Michelle Ortiz, and Alejandro Patino. Gentefied is about familia, following three Mexican-American cousins and their struggle to chase the American dream.

The series, created by executive producers Marvin Lemus and Linda Yvette Chavez, alongside Monica Macer, Aaliyah Williams, America Ferrera, Charles D. King, Kim Roth, and Terri Weinberg. The series was premiered on January 21, 2020, and on May 18th, Netflix renewed the series for a second season!

The Expanding Universe of Ashley — Renewed for Season 2!

This hilarious, feel-good, coming-to-age sitcom features a 15-year-old scientist Ashley Garcia who explores the great unknown of modern tendon after moving across the country to pursue a career in robotics. The comedy stars Paulina Chavez and Jencarlos Canela. Created by Seth Kurland and Mario Lopez, who is an occasional guest star. The first eight episodes are now on Netflix and add to Netflix’s huge investment in teen sitcoms. The series, which is promoted heavily on Netflix’s LatinX social channels arrived on Netflix on February 17th, 2020. The word is still out if there will be a second season.

One Day at a Time — Now at Pop TV Still Finishing 4th Season

After enjoying three seasons on Netflix, the sitcom got canceled. It has been a rollercoaster of a year for the cast and shows creators, but ODAAT got a save by Pop TV! However, just as they were geting off to a great start, COVID-19 hit and they only shot 6 episodes and still have one more episode to shoot.

One of the most acclaimed TV sitcom, frans love the all the family and their neighbor, from the feisty senior Lydia to progressive Gen Z’er Elena and goofball landlord Schneider. One Day at a Time looks, sounds, and feels like a loving bear hug from a beloved grandma. Inspired by Norman Lear‘s 1975’s series of the same name, ODAAT enjoyed three seasons on Netflix. Season 4, premiered on Pop TV on March 24th, at 9:30/8:30c to June 15, 2020, following an all-new episode of Schitt’s Creek. ODaaT stars Justina Machado, Todd Grinnell, Isabella Gomez, Marcel Ruiz, Stephen Tobolowsky, and the legend, Rita Moreno. If you don’t have cable, ODAAT is available on the Pop app/website for free and without a cable subscription. You can also watch Pop TV if you are a subscriber to a number of streaming platforms: fuboTV, AT&T TV NOW, YouTube TV, or Hulu With Live TV.

On My Block — Season 4 Is Coming!

Season 4 release date on Netflix is still under wraps, however it is looking good.

What we do know is that Lauren Iungerich recently signed a multi-year overall deal with Netflix, so it looks good. Co-creator Eddie Gonzalez recently told digitalspytv.com, “What we can tell you is that, in communities like that, there are so many great stories. Because of that, that will help us with the story moving forward.” He also added, “I have 117 first cousins. I can mine a lot of material from those cousins alone.”

We are going out on a limb (not), and saying the best-case scenario is March 2021– next year!

On My Block stars Sierra Capri, Jason Cenao, Brett Gray, Diego Tinoco, Jessica Marie Garcia, and Julio Macias.

Mayans MC — Is Back For a Third Season!

The next chapter for the “Sons of Anarchy” Mayans MC spin-off, continues! Season 3 is slated to premiere on FX on Hulu in the fall of 2020. This drama has first-rate acting starring J.D. Pardo, Sarah Bolger, Clayton Cardenas, Edward James Olmos, Michael Irby, Carla Baratta, Antonio Jaramillo, Raoul Max Trujillo, Richard Cabral, Danny Pino, and Emilio Rivera. Mayans MC was co-created by Kurt Sutter and Elgin James. The series is executive produced by Sutter, James, and Kevin Dowling.

Mr. Iglesias — Is Back For a Season 2!

Netflix has renewed the beloved Mr. Iglesias sitcom for a second season! Starring Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias, Sherri Shepherd, Jacob Vargas, Maggie Geha, Richard Gant, Cree Cicchino, and Fabrizio Guido. Show creator, Kevin Hench also returns as showrunner and will serve as executive producer alongside Iglesias, Ron DeBlasio, and Joe Meloche.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine — Renewed for a Season 8!

It’s official, Brooklyn Nine-Nine will return for an eighth season according to an NBC Instagram announcement:

With two Latina leads (Melissa Fumero and Stephanie Beatriz front and center the show can’t help but be Latino/a themed. According to an NBC the cast found out about being renewed during a table read, “We want to dispel some of these crazy rumors about next season. We want you to come back.” Congratulations to the large ensemble cast: Andy Samberg, Melissa Fumero, Stephanie Beatriz, Terry Crews, Chelsea Peretti, Andre Braugher, Joe Lo Tru, Joel McKinnon, Jason Mantzoukas, Marc Evan Jackson, Eva Longoria, Dirk Blocker, Adam Sandler, Gina Gershon, and Katey Sagal.

Further, it was reported that on linear TV, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, which NBC saved in 2018 after it had been canceled by Fox, averaged a 1.2 rating and 3.2 million viewers overall in Live+Same Day ratings last season, up +15% versus the prior season on Fox. After 35 days of linear and digital delayed viewing, the show last season grew to a 3.1 rating in 18-49 and 6.4 million viewers overall, with 59% of that 18-49 rating coming from nonlinear sources — the #1 biggest digital percentage for an NBC series last season.

The Good Doctor — ABC’s Most-Watched Show

It was great news when ABC announce that the critically acclaimed show The Good Doctor had been renewed for Season 4. However, when Dr. Neil Melendez, one of the most beloved characters of the show played by Nicholas Gonzalez is killed off in the season finale, it was a shocker. it’s ABC’s most-watched show and killing off your original cast member, for “creative reasons” was a stab at the hearts of fans all over the world. they took to social media, but what was done was done. The Good doctor goes on without Gonzalez who helped make the show a hit. . The cast consists of Freddie Highmore, Paige Spara, Antonia Thomas. Its a diverse cast, however we hope that the producers do the right thing and bring on another Latino character, since Latinos are the largest minority in the U.S. and not having Latinos represented in the show is just not right.

Party of Five – Gone After Just 1 Season

Freeform cancelled the re-boot of Party of Five a month after season one. The series reimagend the original series that ran from 1994 to 2000 with a Latino family whose parents face deportation. Their children are left to fend for them with the older brother having to shift his life to run the family restaurant, while the high school daughter is now having to be the “mom” for her younger brother and sister.

The Party of Five cast included Brandon Larracuente, Emily Tosta, Niko Guardado and Elle Paris Legaspi. Bruno Bichir and Fernanda Urrejola as the parents. Amy Lippman and Chris Keyser who originally created the series served as executive Producers along with Rodrigo Garcia the (The Affair, Nine Lives)who also directed.

Narcos: Mexico – Will there be another year of Narcos?

While season 3 of Narcos: Mexico has not been confirmed by Netflix, showrunner Eric Newman is game to continue the drama—even up to the present day Mexico, which is still working through drug wars.

With resignation, we mourn our favorites TV shows which got cancelled, look forward to the continuing shows and anxiously await new shows which are in the pipeline. It’s called the Hollywood wait and see game.

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