Latinos poised to make history at the Emmy Awards as Selena Gomez, Pedro Pascal, and Jenna Ortega are among the standout actors expected to receive nominations. In the Best Leading Actor in a Drama category, Pedro Pascal and Diego Luna stand to compete for the prize. Pascal plays the survivor Joel in HBO’s adaptation of The Last of Us, while Luna portrays the rebel hero Cassian in the Star Wars prequel series, Andor.
The inclusion of these talented Latino actors in science fiction and fantasy series is a pleasant surprise in the upcoming edition of the Emmys. So far, only one Latino actor, Jimmy Smits, has been recognized in the Best Lead Actor in a Drama category. However, the presence of Pascal and Luna promises to create great excitement and anticipation among the Latino community.
Chilean actor Pedro Pascal has managed to establish himself in both film and television with notable performances in Game of Thrones and Narcos: Mexico, as well as roles in Wonder Woman 1984 and El peso del talento. Luna, on the other hand, has made his mark on the Star Wars universe, receiving accolades for his portrayal of Cassian in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, and earning an Emmy nomination for his role in Andor.
The Best Actress category also presents promising opportunities for Latino actresses. Selena Gomez and Jenna Ortega seek to make history for Latinas in television. Gomez plays Mabel in Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building, while Ortega brings the deadpan teen Merlina to life in Netflix’s latest hit. If both actresses are recognized in the same category, it would be the first time two Latinas received this distinction.
In limited acting categories, Zoe Saldana stands out for her performance in Netflix’s From Scratch, and Amber Midthunder impresses in Hulu’s action film Predator: Prey. In the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series category, all hopes lie on Andy Garcia for his role in HBO Max’s remake of Father of the Bride. While she has received decent reviews, her presence has largely gone unnoticed during awards season.
The possibility of Latino actors like Selena Gomez, Pedro Pascal, Diego Luna, and Jenna Ortega being recognized in the main acting categories generates excitement in the Latino community. It promises to open new doors and reaffirm the power and influence of Latinos in the entertainment industry.
