Latino actors can rejoice as Jenna Ortega and Pedro Pascal both secure nominations in the main acting categories for the Emmy Awards, marking an incredible milestone. The inclusion of Ortega and Pascal among the nominees is a significant leap forward for representation in the entertainment industry.
Jenna Ortega has been nominated for her outstanding portrayal of Wednesday Addams in the Netflix hit series Wednesday. It is worth noting that Ortega is only the third Latina ever to be nominated in a leading actress category, following in the footsteps of the legendary Rita Moreno in 1983 for ABC’s 9 to 5 and America Ferrera for Ugly Betty in 2007. The critically acclaimed series Wednesday, directed by Tim Burton, has been recognized with an impressive twelve nominations overall. It will face stiff competition in the Outstanding Comedy Series category, competing against Abbott Elementary, Barry, Jury Duty, Only Murders In The Building, Ted Lasso, The Bear, and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
Pedro Pascal’s nomination as best lead actor is a groundbreaking achievement, as he becomes the first Latino actor to receive such recognition since 1999 when Jimmy Smits was nominated for his remarkable portrayal of Bobby Simone on ABC’s NYPD Blue. Pascal’s compelling performance as smuggler Joel Miller in HBO’s The Last of Us, an adaptation of the popular video game by Naughty Dog, has captivated audiences and critics alike.
While the nominations of Jenna Ortega and Pedro Pascal reflect progress for Latino actors, it is essential to acknowledge that the community remains significantly underrepresented in Hollywood. A recent SAMBA report revealed that there is a demand for content featuring diverse casts. The study found that audiences are more inclined to engage with programs where they see themselves represented, with a positive correlation of 43% among households of diverse ethnicities watching shows with higher percentages of non-white stars. Notably, the report highlighted that Black households demonstrated the strongest correlation, with 67% watching programs with a higher percentage of Black leads. However, the correlation was lower among Asian and Hispanic households, potentially influenced by the sporadic representation of these groups on screen, as suggested by Samba.
It is unfortunate that some notable Hispanic actors were not among this year’s nominations, including the immensely talented Selena Gomez and Oscar Isaac. Last year, the TV Academy also fell short in recognizing Latino and Hispanic performers, with Oscar Isaac (Lead Actor Limited/Anthology Series, Scenes of a Marriage) and Colman Domingo (Guest Actor Drama, Euphoria) being the only two nominees.
The historic nominations of Jenna Ortega and Pedro Pascal at the Emmy Awards are a significant step towards achieving long-overdue representation for Latino actors. This recognition should not only be celebrated but also serve as a clarion call for greater diversity and inclusion in the entertainment industry. As audiences continue to demand content that reflects their own experiences, it is crucial that Hollywood responds with thoughtful and authentic storytelling that showcases the vibrant tapestry of our society.
The Business Press 