Not only do Latin American people deserve to feel recognized and included on the small screen, but series that highlight the stories of immigrants and Latinx-Americans can help influence greater understanding and compassion. How to encourage networks to feature more Latinx stories? For one thing, it’s massively important to continue to watch and support other shows with Latinx characters. Luckily, streaming makes that easy to do—and Hispanic Heritage Month (which runs through Oct. 15, 2022) is a great time to do it. These 30 shows with Latinx characters are a great place to start.
Euphoria
Season 1-2 on HBO This heartwrenching drama follows several high schoolers dealing with extreme coming-of-age issues from drug use, exploring their sexuality and battling inner demons. The show’s Latina character, Katherine Hernandez (Barbie Ferreira) realizes the power she has and embraces her sensuality—while learning how to leverage stereotypes about curvy Latina women being sexual objects to her benefit.
Lucifer
Seasons 1-6 on Netflix The devil walks the Earth in this charming criminal drama meets realistic mysticism series. The LAPD’s brilliant forensic scientist is Latina Ella Lopez. Crafty and kind, she uses her Latinx heritage to help solve crimes and some of her siblings end up being involved in some of the crimes she investigates… for better or worse.
Pose
Seasons 1-2 on Netflix This FX drama about the ballroom scene in the late 1980s features the largest transgender cast ever for a scripted series. One of the iconic lead characters is Latinx—Blanca Rodríguez (Mj Rodriguez). The aspiring model and former sex worker is the House of Evangelista’s founder and mother. Rodríguez brings Latinx trans representation to TV.
Glee
Seasons 1- 6 on Netflix One of the most prolific LGBTQ+ teen icons was also Latinx: Santana Lopez (played by the late Naya Rivera) embraced her Latinidad and stood out at William McKinley High School. One of the most memorable scenes from the series is when Lopez comes out to her family and is disowned by her abuela for dating a woman.
Grey’s Anatomy
Seasons 1-17 on Netflix, Season 17 also on Hulu and ABC Callie Torres, played by queer actor Sara Ramirez, is the longest-running LGBTQ character in TV history. They appeared in 11 seasons—239 episodes—of Grey’s Anatomy. Torres goes through the all-too-familiar scenario for gay Latinx people of the challenge of coming out to conservative parents who may not approve of same-sex marriage.
The Baker and the Beauty
Season 1 on Hulu and ABC This heartfelt show is equal parts family-friendly drama and can’t miss rom-com. It’s about the fairytale love story of Noa Hamilton (Nathalie Kelley), a billionaire philanthropist and socialite, and Daniel Garcia (Victor Rasuk), a Cuban baker who lives with his family. The first (and sadly, only) season of The Baker and the Beauty showcases a positive and realistic portrayal of the challenges and triumphs of the immigrant family with a small business face and a first-generation American navigating a multicultural romantic relationship.
One Day at a Time
Seasons 1-3 on Netflix; Season 4 on YouTube TV The series follows the lives of the Alvarezes, a Cuban family living in an apartment complex in Los Angeles—that yes, like the original, is again staffed by a handyman named Sneider. The multidimensional Latinx characters attend political demonstrations, work through being LGBTQ+ in the Latinx community and take on racism and colorism. Between the serious moments, the characters are hilarious—especially Rita Moreno, who plays the feisty abuela.
The Expanding Universe of Ashley Garcia
Part 1, 2, and Christmas on Netflix This live-action Netflix comedy was co-created by Mario Lopez, and features Ashley Garcia (Paulina Chávez), a 15-and-a-half-year-old robotics engineer and rocket scientist who moves across the country to work with NASA. The darling feel-good sitcom showcases what it’s like to be an a way-too-smart teen in modern times.
Diary of a Future President
Season 1 and 2 on Disney+ This family-friendly sitcom follows 12-year-old Cuban-American middle schooler Elena Cañero-Reed (Tess Romero) on her path to the White House. The presidential hopeful is determined to make a difference. Executive producer Gina Rodriguez has a recurring guest-starring role as the adult version of Elena.
Charmed
Seasons 1-3 on Netflix This fantasy drama reboots the beloved WB series with a Latinx spin that will have you whispering tu me hesistes brujeria. After their mother dies, the Latinx sisterly trio discovers they’re actually witches and must fight to protect the innocent. The haunting show stars Melonie Diaz, who plays Mel, Sarah Jeffery, who plays Maggie and Madeleine Mantock, who plays Macy.
Mr. Iglesias
Seasons 1-3 on Netflix This Netflix original series follows the amusing life of big-hearted high school teacher Gabe Iglesias (Gabriel Iglesias) as he tries to make a positive impact on underperforming students with untapped potential. The heartwarming comedy reminds us that we can all follow our dreams and make them come true with hard work and perseverance.
Gentefied
Season 1 on Netflix A Netflix original series following the Mexican-American Morales cousins, Ana Morales (Karrie Martin), Erik Morales (Joseph Julian Soria), Chris Morales (Carlos Santos) and Nayeli Morales (Bianca Melgar), as they do everything they can to help save their abuelo’s taco shop. The family business is being threatened by gentrification and the cousins are also struggling to find time to chase their dreams. The bilingual drama was renewed for a second season and is executive produced by America Ferrera.
The Baby-Sitter’s Club
Season 1 on Netflix The Netflix original show is an adaptation of Ann M. Martin’s bestselling book franchise of the same name. The preteen drama follows the friendships of a group of middle school students who start a babysitting club. Dawn Schafer (Xochitl Gomez) is the new Latinx kid in town with a revolutionary soul.
Station 19
Season 1-4 on Hulu; Season 4 also on ABC Jaina Lee Ortiz stars as Puerto Rican Andrea “Andy” Herrera, a lieutenant and co-acting captain for the Seattle Firestation 19. The drama centers around Herrera’s life at the firefighter station where she practically grew up as her father was the station’s captain. The show is executive produced by Shonda Rhimes and is a spinoff of Grey’s Anatomy.
Superstore
Seasons 1-6 on Hulu; Seasons 5 and 6 also on NBC This lively workplace comedy premiered in 2015 and returned in January 2020 for the fifth season. America Ferrera is the star of the series and also executive produces the show which follows the employees of “Cloud 9”—a fictional big-box retail store. Ferrera plays Amy, the Honduran-American store manager.
Party of Five
Seasons 1 on Freeform This teen drama is a modern remake of the 1994 Fox series of the same name. This new show follows a family torn apart by deportation. After their parents are deported back to México, the five Mexican-American Acosta children struggle to navigate life. Emilio (Brandon Larracuente), an aspiring musician, and Lucia (Emily Tosta), a straight-A student, try to juggle caring for their three younger siblings and keep their family together.
On My Block
Seasons 1-3 on Netflix Netflix’s critically-acclaimed series follows a group of friends as they navigate high school drama and the real-life threat of danger in South Central Los Angeles. Two of the characters and actors are Latinx—Cesar (Diego Tinoco) and Ruby (Jason Genao). The light-hearted coming-of-age series still covers serious issues including gang violence and kidnapping as the friends try to stick together through it all.
Roswell, New Mexico
Season 1-2 on Netflix The CW’s Sci-Fi series Roswell, New Mexico stars Cuban-American Jeanine Mason as Liz Ortecho, a biomedical researcher and daughter of undocumented immigrants. She moves back to her hometown and reconnects with her high school crush, the town sheriff. Soon she’ll find out he’s hiding an extraordinary secret identity.
Penny Dreadful: City of Angels
Season 1 on Showtime This gritty supernatural horror-drama is a spinoff Penny Dreadful. The Showtime rendition is set in Los Angeles in 1938—the Golden Age of Hollywood—and stars Daniel Zovatto as detective Tiago Vega who uncovers the complex history of the city. While investigating a gruesome murder the detective encounters a shape-shifting demon, Magda, and an immortal angel Santa Muerte. The storyline is full of Latinx superstitions and rituals.
Vida
Season 1-3 on Starz Critically-acclaimed award-winning series with an all-Latinx cast, writers room and mostly Latinx-crew, Vida is inspired by the short story “Pour Vida” by Richard Villegas Jr. Estranged Mexican-American Hernandez sisters Emma (Mishel Prada) and Lyn (Melissa Barrera) move back to their childhood home after their mother dies. While the hermanas, who have nothing in common, prepare to lay their mother to rest and try to sell her bar, they discover their mother’s true identity. They also realize their childhood community in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of East Los Angeles is threatened by gentrification and take a stand.
Love, Victor
Season 1-2 on Hulu The Hulu original series is a spinoff from the film Love, Simon, which was inspired by Becky Albertalli’s novel, Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda. The show’s star, Victor (Michael Cimino), is a new Colombian-Puerto Rican student at Creekwood High School. He’s on a journey of self-discovery, exploring his sexual orientation all while adjusting to life in a new city and challenges at home.
Orange Is the New Black
Seasons 1-7 on Netflix A Netflix original series is based on the autobiographical novel Orange Is the New Black: My Year in a Women’s Prison by Piper Kerman. Set in a minimum-security prison in v the show follows the storyline of many Latinx characters including Dayanara Diaz (Dascha Polanco), Aleida Diaz (Elizabeth Rodriguez), Gloria Mendoza (Selenis Leyva), Marisol ‘Flaca’ Gonzales (Jackie Cruz), Maria Ruiz (Jessica Pimentel), Blanca Flores (Laura Gómez) and Maritza Ramos (Diane Guerrero). You’ll commiserate with the characters as you see flashbacks from their past and as they try to navigate life behind bars. Season 7 highlights what life is like for immigrants who have been taken into ICE custody.
Jane the Virgin
CW’s award-winning telenovela-esque series tells the story of Jane Villanueva (Gina Rodriguez), who vowed to abstain from sex until marriage and accidentally is artificially inseminated and becomes pregnant. The plot is an adaptation of the Venezuelan telenovela Juana la Virgen. Drama surrounds the Miami-based writer through many plot twists over the seasons. The show was ahead of its time when it premiered in 2014 and tackled issues like immigration, classism and racism.
Grand Hotel
Eva Longoria adapted and executive produced the remake of the Spanish novela Grand Hotel and plays Beatriz Mendoza. The mystery drama was canceled by ABC after one season and featured a mostly all-Latinx cast. The show follows the Mendoza family and their life in Miami Beach as they operate a hotel. The dynamic matriarch Gigi Mendoza is played by Latinx superstar Roselyn Sanchez.
Ugly Betty
Seasons 1-4 on ABC and Hulu Ugly Betty is an English adaptation of the Colombian telenovela Yo soy Betty, la fea. The fan-favorite show follows Mexican-American Betty Suarez (America Ferrera) as she navigates the cutthroat fashion industry in New York City. We’re not huge fans of all the plot twists but the heroine’s resilience keeps her afloat throughout many unusual challenges.
Desperate Housewives
The award-winning mystery-comedy drama is the longest-running hourlong television series featuring all-female leads—one of which is Latinx. Wisteria Lane comes to life thanks to the mischievous Mexican-American Gabrielle Solis (Eva Longoria) who always seems to be up to no good. While her character plays into overdone Latinx stereotypes we can’t help but root for her to get her happy ending and the love she so deserves in the soap opera.
Modern Family
Seasons 1-11 on Hulu ABC’sModern Family didn’t always get Latinx representation right. Gloria Delgado-Pritchett’s (Sofía Vergara) storyline focused all too much on the tired sexy Latina trope while Manny Delgado (Rico Rodriguez) plays a kindhearted nerdy Latinx kid. The show does right by allowing Manny’s character to be complex and move beyond the machismo Latino stereotype—a theme touched on occasionally when his father Javier Delgado, (Benjamin Bratt) comes to town.
I Love Lucy
Seasons 1-6 on CBS and Hulu The adored 1950s sitcom was unparalleled at the time for centering the storyline around Cuban immigrant Ricky Ricardo (Desi Arnaz) and his white American wife, Lucy Ricardo (Lucille Ball). The representation—although it was chock-full of Latinx stereotypes—matters. Ricky is a hot-tempered heartthrob making his way as a conga drummer after fleeing Cuba. The duo was married in real life and brought an often hilarious passion to the small screen.
Devious Maids
Seasons 1-4 on Hulu There’s no shortage of drama in this novela comedy series executive produced by Eva Longoria. The plot follows four Latina maids Carmen Luna (Roselyn Sanchez), Judy Reyes (Zoila Diaz), Marisol Suarez (Ana Ortiz) and Rosie Falta (Dania Ramirez) as they work for elite clients in Beverly Hills. The series makes a mockery of the Latinx housekeeper stereotype by allowing the dynamic characters to develop on-screen beyond their jobs.
Selena: The Series
Part 1 and 2 on Netflix The Quintanilla family joined forces with Netflix to create a series about the late Queen of Tejano music. Actress Christian Serratostakes the leading role as Selena Quintanilla-Pérez in the coming-of-age series that follows the singer as she paves her way to stardom and shatters the glass ceiling for Mexican-American entertainers. Noemi Gonzalez plays Selena’s sister and bandmate, Suzette Quintanilla. Looking for LGBTQIA+ representation on TV? Try these TV shows with gay characters and storylines.
