Hispanic Actors Break Stereotypes in Critics Choice TV Nominated Roles and Shows
Jan. 28, 2021
This year’s crop of Critics Choice Award television nominations are recognizing Hispanic actors for portraying a sci-fi bounty hunter, tv producer, a green-conscious hip hop artist, chess genius, talk show host and founding father.
These are all roles that break the tired stereotypes of sexpot, maid, thugs, drug dealers and cops that have historically been available to Latinos and Hispanos in Hollywood.
A look at the nominees
Hamilton
Nominated for: Best Play Adapted for Television
Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote the score and starred as the title character in Broadway’s hip hop blockbuster Hamilton. The show about the American Revolution featuring a multicultural cast, including puertorriqueño Anthony Ramos, debuted on Disney+ in 2020.
Rita Moreno
Nominated for: Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Hollywood veteran and EGOT title holder Rita Moreno was nominated for her role as our favorite abuela in Netflix’s ‘One Day At A Time’, the beloved family dramedy which ended its run in 2020.
Desus and Mero
Nominated for: Best Talk Show
Dominicano Joel “Kid Mero” Martinez is one half of the ‘Desus and Mero’ hosting duo. The Bodega Boys podcasters have interviewed a wide range of guests that include famous musicians, politicians, health experts, and athletes on their Showtime show.
Anya Taylor-Joy
Nominated for: Best Actress in a Limited Series or Movie Made for TV
Anya Taylor-Joy, who is of Argentine and Spanish descent, led Netflix’s ‘The Queen’s Gambit’ to the top of the Nielsen charts in her role as chess prodigy Beth Harmon. ‘The Queen’s Gambit’ is also nominated for Best Limited Series.
Tessa Thompson
Nominated for: Best Actress in a Limited Series or Movie Made for TV
Tessa Thompson, who is Afro-Panamanian and Mexican, juggles young love, motherhood and an aspiring career as a TV producer in Amazon’s ‘Sylvie’s Love’, a1950s-era romance. ‘Sylvie’s Love’ is also up against ‘Hamilton’ for Best Made for TV Movie.
Harvey Guillén
Nominated for: Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Mexican-American Harvey Guillén’s portrayal of vampire human familiar Guillermo de la Cruz on FX’s ‘What We Do in the Shadows’ earned him the nod.
Mandalorian
Nominated for: Best Drama Series
Pedro Pascal’s ex-bounty hunter/Baby Yoda’s single-foster dad may be the show’s namesake but he wasn’t the only Latino to appear on Season 2. Robert Rodriguez directed an episode and Rosario Dawson, John Leguizamo and Horatio Sanz all played roles.
Nikki Fre$h
Nominated for: Best Short Form Series
Afro-Mexican American entrepreneur and fashionista Nicole Richie created and executive produced Quibi’s ‘Nikki Fre$h’ a mock reality show and comedy that follows her fake Hip Hop alter ego.
The winners will be revealed live on The CW on Sunday, March 7, 2021 from 7-10 p.m. ET/PT, with Taye Diggs returning to host.
