Latino Lead Actors And Actresses Could Make Emmy History
Selena Gomez, Pedro Pascal, Jenna ORTEGA, and Diego Luna - Cindy Ord / Steve Granitz / Cindy Ord / MG23 / Alberto E. Rodriguez / Stringer
While Emmy nominations are still a few weeks away, there is rising enthusiasm in the Latino community as several lead actors look well-positioned to get deserved acclaim. Pedro Pascal (The Last of Us) and Diego Luna (Andor) are leading contenders for the role of Lead Drama Actor. Only one Latino actor has been recognized in the Lead Drama Actor category: Jimmy Smits. Smits garnered five consecutive Emmy nominations for his performance as Det. Bobby Simone in ABC's NYPD Blue from 1995 to 1999.
Chilean actor Pascal has become a household name thanks to TV appearances on Game of Thrones and Narcos, and films such as Wonder Woman 1984 (released in 2021) and The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent (released in 2022). He is particularly well-known for his depiction of Din Djarin (Mando) in The Mandalorian and his work as a Saturday Night Live host. The reappearance of Luna as Cassian Andor in Andor has also been well-received by Star Wars fans. The Mexican actor, who earned his breakthrough in the United States with Alfonso Cuarón's 2001 film Y tu mamá también, has been praised for his deep, central, and poignant portrayal. Because of the direction of director-producer Tony Gilroy, Andor earned some of the finest reviews of any Star Wars series.
Selena Gomez, who plays the dry-witted Mabel in Hulu's Only Murders in the Building, and Jenna Ortega, who plays the deadpan teenager Wednesday Addams in Netflix's Wednesday, are front-runners in the actress category. It is possible that this is the first time two Latinas are recognized in the same acting category and only the third time in any acting category. Before, only two Latina actresses received Emmy nominations for Lead Comedy Actress: Rita Moreno (9 to 5 in 1983) and America Ferrera (Ugly Betty in 2007 and 2008). Ferrera is the sole Latina winner in that category for her work on the first season of Ugly Betty.
Gomez was omitted from the category last year but has risen to critical acclaim in the second season of Only Murder in the Building. Ortega has also skyrocketed with viral moments and dance crazes from her portrayal of Wednesday. Many have argued that Ortega is the breakout star of the year, and her recent appearance in Scream 6 also made her easily recognizable to the public.
Unfortunately, the limited acting categories have fewer Latino contenders than the comedy and drama races. While Zoe Saldaña delivers a decisive performance in Netflix’s From Scratch, she faces numerous big names from more notable series. The same goes for Amber Midthunder, the indigenous actress from Hulu’s action TV movie Prey. For Lead Actor (Limited), all hopes for a Latino win rest on the shoulders of Andy Garcia in the HBO Max remake of Father of the Bride, which received decent reviews, but has been silent on the awards circuit.