Fall is right around the corner, bringing the back-to-school scramble, cooler weather, longer days, and a fresh crop of season premiers. While Latinos are still woefully underrepresented on primetime network TV, we have a few promising new series to look forward to. Here are some of the DVR-worthy highlights coming to your small screen.
Welcome to the Family • Series Premiere Thursday, October 3 on NBC
In one of the few primetime network TV shows featuring well-rounded Latino leads, cultures clash when teen lovers Molly (Ella Rae Peck) and Junior Hernandez (Joey Haro) blindside their parents with an unplanned pregnancy and subsequent engagement. As the show explores the difficulties of blending the teens’ Anglo and Latino families, creator Mike Sikowitz emphasizes that he “…felt it was important to do a show that I feel reflects L.A. or really any area in the country today…I was just trying to bring two families together.” You’ll recognize Ricardo A. Chavira (of Desperate Housewives fame) and Justina Machado (Six Feet Under) as Junior’s parents.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine • Series Premiere Tuesday, September 17 on Fox
This comedy set in a Brooklyn police station, starring Andy Samberg as a detective and Andre Braugher as the captain trying to whip him into shape, is already getting a lot of good buzz. The lovely Melissa Fumero (One Life to Live, Gossip Girl) plays Samberg’s love interest/rival.
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Trophy Wife • Series Premiere Tuesday, September 24 on ABC
This blended family comedy pairs Malin Ackerman (Kate) as Bradley Whitford’s (Pete) much younger third wife. Just to make things interesting, Pete brings to the marriage his two disgruntled ex-wives and three kids. Kate relies on her single, party girl BFF Natalie Morales (Meg) for support as she navigates this whacky uncharted territory.
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Murder Police • Fox
This animated series from David A. Goodman (Family Guy) and up-and-coming animator/performer Jason Ruiz “..follows a dedicated, but inept detective and his colleagues—some perverted, some corrupt, some just plain lazy – in a twisted city precinct.” Welcome to the Family’s Justina Machado makes an appearance along with the hilarious Will Sasso, Jane Lynch, and Horatio Sanz.
Killer Women • ABC
Sofia Vergara takes on a new role as Executive Producer for this adaptation of the Argentine series Mujeres Asesinas. Tricia Helfer stars as badass Molly Parker, the lone female Texas Ranger surrounded by male colleagues determined to see her fail, also featured are Marta Milans, Alex Fernandez, and Michael Trucco. Killer Women promises to be an action packed, girl power shoot ‘em up.
Gang Related • Fox
Yes, this is yet another spin on a gritty cop show, but with a stellar creative team including Brian Grazer (24) and Scott Rosenbaum (The Shield) it should be a midseason standout. The series opens as former gang member and Los Angeles Gang Task Force rising star, Ryan Lopez (Ramon Rodriguez) teams up with fellow Task Force member Cassius Green (RZA) to wage war on LA’s gangs after his best friend and partner is killed. Prepare for major thrills as the lines between good and evil are blurred.
