In 2025, we got a clearer picture of the place Latino talent holds in Hollywood today. Series like The Bear cemented that presence with complex main characters, like Liza Colón-Zayas’s Tina Marrero, a deeply explored figure with a Latino identity. This was further reinforced by the sustained presence of names such as Pedro Pascal, Diego Luna, Jenna Ortega, Oscar Isaac, and Wagner Moura, along with the auteur impact of Guillermo del Toro with his highly anticipated Frankenstein. It was not a year of symbolic presence, but one of consolidation — although it is essential to recognize that there is still a long way to go in terms of representation.
That momentum is fueling expectations for 2026, a year that promises to continue and expand that prominence. The series and films on this list build on the work of performers and creators who have shown that meaningful representation can thrive alongside creative ambition and global success. What is to come points not only to more Latino names on screen, but also to projects conceived from diverse perspectives, with compelling central characters and narratives.
One Hundred Years of Solitude, season 2 – Netflix (August)
For me, this is the most eagerly awaited series because of the special place the book holds in my heart. I particularly enjoyed the first season because of the way it captured the essence of Macondo and the Buendía family. Bringing magical realism to the screen is no easy task, but the first season succeeded, and now we’re keeping our fingers crossed for a second season that’s just as powerful.
Beyond the prose and the story, the series also marks an industry milestone as one of the largest productions ever made in Latin America for a global platform. Filmed entirely in Colombia, with a mostly Latin American cast and a regional technical team, it stands as a literary adaptation that makes a powerful statement about the region’s ability to produce high-quality fiction without losing its identity.
Scrubs – ABC and Hulu (February)
The return of Scrubs in 2026 appeals directly to nostalgia and the relevance of a series that knew how to combine absurd humor, genuine emotion, and a surprisingly honest look at hospital life. This reboot brings back the classic characters from a mature perspective, facing a different healthcare system. The presence of Judy Reyes as Carla Espinosa is key. From the beginning, her character was one of the emotional anchors of Scrubs. Beyond its nostalgic value, her return reinforces narrative continuity and underscores something the series always did well: giving weight and depth to female characters and nursing staff.
Digger – In cinemas (October)
Originally known as Judy, Alejandro González Iñárritu’s upcoming feature film stands as a deeply personal and enigmatic entry in his recent filmography. The black comedy, starring Tom Cruise, Jesse Plemons, Sandra Hüller, Sophie Wilde, and Riz Ahmed, follows a powerful man who tries to prove he can save humanity from a global catastrophe of his own making. On that premise, Iñárritu’s return is bound to generate critical conversation rather than comfortable consensus.
The Odyssey – In cinemas (July)
This film by Christopher Nolan is shaping up to be one of the most powerful of the year because it combines artistic ambition, spectacle, and a first-rate cast led by Matt Damon as Odysseus, alongside Anne Hathaway (Penelope), Tom Holland (Telemachus), Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o, and Charlize Theron. Adding to this ensemble is the Latin American contribution of John Leguizamo, who plays Eumaeus, Odysseus’ faithful servant, a key character for his loyalty and humanity. The adaptation of this fundamental text of Western culture promises to go beyond the epic exercise to become a cinematic event.
Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu — In cinemas (May)
The current momentum of Star Wars rests largely on Pedro Pascal, who has become one of the most recognizable and beloved faces of the saga in its recent phase — despite almost always being covered up. With Din Djarin, Pascal managed to create a restrained, silent, and emotionally accessible hero, even behind a helmet, something unusual in a universe dominated by myth and spectacle. Now, under Jon Favreau’s direction, that journey makes its transition to the big screen.
His & Hers – Netflix (January)
Far from a conventional thriller relying on constant twists and turns, this series builds tension through conflicting versions and incomplete truths, where each point of view alters the interpretation of events. Based on the novel by Alice Feeney, His & Hers finds its greatest strength in the psychological development of its characters, with Tessa Thompson as the narrative axis and also as executive producer. Thompson — an actress of African descent with Latin roots on her Panamanian side of the family — brings an emotional complexity that reinforces her position as one of the most solid and influential figures on the contemporary screen.
The Beauty — FX (January)
With a provocative premise, this science fiction horror series imagines a world in which physical beauty can be transmitted like a disease, becoming a desirable, dangerous, and deeply political asset. Based on the comic book created by Jeremy Haun and Jason A. Hurley, the story uses the genre to reflect on power, desire, inequality, and the contemporary obsession with appearance. Within this framework, Anthony Ramos’s involvement reinforces the cultural weight of the project and expands Latino representation in a high-concept narrative, far from the usual stereotypes.
