Mexican Melissa Barrera has been on everyone’s radar ever since it was announced that the actress had been fired from the Scream franchise for her pro-Palestine posts on social media. But Barrera has been doing outstanding work, both on the big and small screen, long before Scream. And after, she’s already continued working on projects like Your Monster and the ballerina horror movie Abigail.
So, if you’re interested in supporting the actress or just learning more about her career and the characters that have shaped her, here are 7 roles to get to know who Melissa Barrera is, both in the TV sphere and on the big screen. From telenovelas to stories of survival and musicals, she’s done it all!
1
Siempre Tuya Acapulco (2014)
Barrera got her big break in this 2014 TV Azteca telenovela Siempre Tuya Acapulco, where she stars opposite Daniel Elbittar. Barrera plays Olvido Pérez, a young orphan who saves a rich and handsome architect after a plane crash and, of course, falls in love with him.
2
Club de Cuervos (2017)
Barrera makes her appearance in Season 3 of Netflix’s Club de Cuervos, a Mexican dramedy about two siblings that fight over control of a Mexican fútbol club after the death of their father. She plays Isabel Cantú, the spoiled daughter of a millionaire who has a relationship with one of the siblings.
3
Vida (2018-2020)
Barrera stars as Lyn Hernandez in Starz Vida. She plays one of two sisters who must come back to settle their mother’s affairs after her death, only to find out they really didn’t know anything about who their mother was. As they figure that out, it’s the perfect time to fix their relationship with each other.
4
In the Heights (2021)
Barrera stars as Vanessa in the musical drama film In the Heights, adapted from a screenplay by Quiara Alegría Hudes based on the musical of the same name by Hudes and Lin-Manuel Miranda. The story, set in three days, tells the story of Washington Heights, NY and the sueñitos of an entire community.
5
Keep Breathing (2022)
In Netflix’s Keep Breathing, Barrera plays Liv Rivera, a New York City attorney whose plane crashes on her way to Canada. Can Liv survive with only the clothes on her back, all while battling the personal trauma that put her on that plane in the first place? Watch to find out.
6
Scream VI (2023)
Barrera stars as Sam Carpenter alongside Jenna Ortega in the fifth and sixth movie in the quintessential horror franchise, Scream. The sixth movie, in particular, focuses more on the Carpenter sisters. Ironic, considering the franchise now has to be retooled after Barrera was fired and Jenna Ortega left the franchise afterward.
7
Your Monster (2024)
Barrera’s Your Monster sees her star as Laura Franco, a young actress who is going through a breakup and just recently got diagnosed with cancer. Luckily, a monstrous discovery in her childhood home leads her to have a new roommate and then a possible love interest.