In looking at the new and returning TV shows for the Fall, two things jump out: 1) There are virtually no programs–none, nada–with a dominant or singular Latino theme (that is, a show about a Latino family, or where the lead is a Latino playing a Latino). And 2) There many, many shows–more than thirty this fall alone–in which a Latino actor is in the every-episode cast (sometimes playing a Latino character, sometimes not).
What doesn’t jump out quite as readily is the newest trend in TV programming: the arc. This idea of having a multi-episode story within the series–one that may last three weeks, six weeks, or more–has become very popular as a way to bring on-the-fence viewers back more regularly, and to feature prominent, recognized actors that the series might not be able (or willing) to afford on a more permanent basis.
Latinos showing up in arcs this season is really pretty amazing…
The number of Latinos showing up in arcs this season is really pretty amazing…and a little hard to track. You may not see it on a lot of end-of-season scorecards, and a few of these people may actually become regulars or permanent cast members, but at the moment more than a dozen different programs have already featured, or will be featuring, Latinos in multi-episode arcs.
On CBS, you’ll find Monica Raymund currently on Blue Bloods. Later this season, she’ll show up as a state prosecutor and possible love interest on The Good Wife. And though Raul Esparza is listed as a ‘guest start’ on A Gifted Man, he’s shown up more than once as the head of a low-income health clinic with the Spanish name that figures prominently in the show; he’s obviously set for more.
On NBC, Alfred Molina has just finished an awesome three-episode arc on Harry’s Law, and Mel Rodriguez is in the middle of a set of shows for Community.
On ABC, Miguel Ferrer is about to begin a multi-episode appearance on Desperate Housewives.
On FOX, Odette Annable is listed as a arc-er for House, though other sources say she’s a new cast member.
…and down along the cable, the arcs keep occurring. Valerie Cruz appeared on multiple episodes of SyFy’s Alphas, Wilmer Valderrama did a set of Royal Pains on USA, and JoAnna Garcia is scheduled for a Royal Pains arc when the show begin again soon. Paola Turbay did a set of True Blood’s on HBO, Ana Ortiz is doing a multiple-episode arc on Hung, another HBO series. While both Edward James Olmos and Aimee Garcia are in the newest Dexter arc (which, admittedly, is the way that show works). And FX’s Sons of Anarchy are bringing Benito Martinez, Fernanda Andrade and Danny Trejo on board for multi-episode appearances.
That’s fourteen prominent Latino actors on more than a dozen different shows across all the networks, often appearing as Latino characters, and–most important–just workin’ regular. And those figures don’t include one-episode guest starring roles or the four or more existing shows with new regular cast members who’ve appeared this season, including Karen Olivo on Harry’s Law, Danny Pino on Law & Order, both on NBC, Benjamin Bratt on ABC’s Private Practice, or Jon Seda on HBO’s Treme, whose second season has already come and gone.
The love of the arc shows a continued willingness–even commitment–by the networks to keep a Latino presence in much of their programming…but at the same time, the utter lack of Latino leading men and women and/or Latino themes is an equally strong indicator: of a reluctance to take the next step and put Latino characters and culture at center stage.
We’ll keep an eye on all these shows…and keep the other eye out for additional arcs as they develop.
