Kids who grew up in the late 80s and 90s owe much of their geography skills to one woman: Carmen Sandiego, the red-trench-coat and fedora-wearing international thief. First introduced to the world in the 1985 video game Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?, the globe-trotting Latina villain is getting ready for a 21st-century makeover. Netflix is developing an animated series based on the famous character, The Tracking Board reports. Thankfully, you won’t have to follow clues to a specific location on a map to find out who will be playing the Lady in Red.
Yes, none other than Gina Rodriguez herself. The Jane the Virgin actress is stepping into some mighty big shoes, following a strong legacy of trailblazing Latina figures. The original Carmen Sandiego character design was inspired by musical bombshell Carmen Miranda. And she was first voiced in the 1990s animated version by Oscar-winning actress Rita Moreno. She’s in great company, don’t you think?
It won’t be Rodriguez’s first voice acting role. This year alone, audiences will get to hear the Filly Brown star as a hedgehog in the John Cena 3-D tale Ferdinand, and as Mary (yes, Jesus’ mom) in the faith-inspired animated flick The Star alongside Zachary Levi. As for when we’ll get to see this latest iteration of Carmen Sandiego, it looks like we’ll have to wait a bit. But trust that we’ll binge-watch all 20 episodes of the show if only to see Rodriguez’s take on this glamorous villainess.