Summer is just around the corner. And while once upon a time that meant a lack of good TV as networks were convinced everyone preferred to spend their scorchingly hot outside, that is no longer the case. Summer TV, in fact, has begun giving Fall season a run for its money as the place where must-see TV is at. This year is no exception with the sunny days bringing us a drama starring Gina Torres, a comedy starring Gabriel Iglesias, a remake produced by Eva Longoria, Spanish-language fare created by Fred Armisen, and the return of a slew of queer shows putting the LGBTQ Latinx community front and center.
For those looking to map out their summer days with grade-A shows starring Latinos, we’ve compiled the following list (in order of premiere date) which should keep you busy all season long.
1
Vida (Starz)
The critically acclaimed Eastside LA series returns for its second season. After sisters Lyn (Melissa Barrera) and Emma (Mishel Prada) came together following their mother’s death, season two finds them needing to work alongside their mother’s girlfriend Eddy (Ser Anzoategui) to save the bar all three now own as well their building, lest it fall in the hands of gentrifying developers. The unabashedly queer show keep breaking boundaries and will continue to do so as the newest season introduced new characters played by Raúl Castillo and Roberta Colindrez.
Vida’s second season will be available May 23 on the Starz app and will air weekly on Starz at 8 p.m. starting May 26, 2019.
2
She's Gotta Have It (Netflix)
A seriously sexy comedy and rousing celebration of female empowerment, the second season of She’s Gotta Have It offers a timely and topical portrait of rising talents, with free-spirited artist Nola Darling (DeWanda Wise) at the center. Struggling with newfound success this season, against a backdrop of black art and culture, Nola must decide if she will remain true to her creative ideals or give in to the corporate world. Her journey of self-discovery helps transform the lives of those around her, including friend and sometimes lover Mars Blackmon (Anthony Ramos), who sets out to pursue his true passion of music.
She’s Gotta Have It season two drops on Netflix May 24, 2019.
3
When They See Us (Netflix)
Directed by Ava DuVernay, When They See Us tells the true story behind the five young boys who were dubbed “The Central Park Five” after they were (wrongfully) accused (and convicted) of raping a white woman in the New York City Park in 1989. Starring an A-list roster of actors, including John Leguizamo as the father of one of the kids (played by Marquis Rodriguez as a boy, and Freddy Miyares as an adult), the limited series offers a firsthand account of the failure of the U.S. justice system when it comes to dealing with black and brown communities.
When They See Us debuts on Netflix May 31, 2019.
4
Perpetual Grace, LTD (Epix)
Perpetual Grace, LTD is a modern noir drama which follows James (Jimmi Simpson), a mysterious young grifter who sets his eyes on Pastor Byron Brown (Sir Ben Kingsley) as his next prey. The pastor and his wife Lillian (Jacki Weaver) — known to their parishioners as Ma and Pa — use their religious influence to dupe hundreds of innocent people out of their life savings. The budding bloody conflict between James and the couple is set against a dusty town with a gruff sheriff played by Luis Guzmán.
Perpetual Grace, LTD premieres June 2, 2019, on Epix.
5
Grown-ish (Freeform)
The second season of this Black-ish spinoff returns this summer. Following Zoey (Yara Shahidi), a popular, entitled, stylish and socially active 17-year-old as she heads off to college and quickly discovers that not everything goes her way once she leaves the nest, the comedy also stars Francia Raisa (who’s of Mexican and Honduran descent) as Ana Torres, a young Republican hailing from a Cuban family.
Grown-ish returns June 5, 2019 on Freeform.
6
Queen of the South (USA Network)
Not to be confused with the successful Kate del Castillo-starrer (which just started up its second season), this English-language remake stars Alice Braga as Teresa Mendoza. The ruthless Queen is changing locations for its fourth season, which finds Teresa expanding her empire to the East Coast by taking on the Big Easy — New Orleans, Louisiana. It’s a move, that as always, will force Teresa to make tough decisions if she wants to survive and thrive in the ever dangerous world she traffics in.
Queen of the South returns June 6, 2019, at 10 p.m. on USA.
7
Armistead Maupin's Tales Of The City (Netflix)
Inspired by Armistead Maupin’s novels, this new chapter in the beloved story picks up Mary Ann (Laura Linney) returns to present-day San Francisco and is reunited with her daughter Shawna (Ellen Page) and ex-husband Brian (Paul Gross), 20 years after leaving them behind to pursue her career. Fleeing the midlife crisis that her picture-perfect Connecticut life created, Mary Ann is quickly drawn back into the orbit of Anna Madrigal (Olympia Dukakis), her chosen family and a new generation of queer young residents living at 28 Barbary Lane which include Jake (Garcia), who’s transitioning, and his girlfriend Margot (May Hong).
Tales of the City debuts on Netflix June 7, 2019.
8
Claws (TNT)
Claws returns June 9, 2019, at 9 p.m. on TNT.
9
Pose (FX)
The groundbreaking Golden Globe-nominated series is set in the glittering world of the balls in the 1987 in New York City. Created by Steven Canals the drama stars Mj Rodriguez as Blanca Rodriguez-Evangelista, the founder and mother of the House of Evangelista; Indya Moore as Angel Evangelista, a trans woman sex worker; and even features OG ball superstar and guest star Jose Gutierez Xtravaganza as himself. Dealing with the AIDS crisis, trans discrimination, found families, the beauty of the LGBTQ community and a changing world in New York, the second season will make a time jump to 1990, a time when vogueing began to go mainstream.
Pose returns June 11, 2019, at 10 p.m. on FX.
10
Los Espookys (HBO)
This Spanish-language comedy was created by Fred Armisen, Ana Fabrega and Julio Torres. It follows Renaldo (Bernardo Velasco), a horror and gore enthusiast, who assembles his friends to form “Los Espookys.” Joining him are a pair of sisters (played by Cassandra Ciangherotti and Fabrega) and Andres (Torres), a dark and mysterious heir to a chocolate empire who longs to unlock the secrets to his past and avoid his beautiful boyfriend. Their goal? To turn their love of horror into a rather peculiar kind of business.
Los Espookys premieres June 14, 2019, on HBO and HBO Latino.
11
Grand Hotel (ABC)
Based on the successful Spanish series by the same name Grand Hotel moves the titular setting to Miami Beach. Charismatic Santiago Mendoza (Demián Bichir) owns the hotel, while his glamorous second wife, Gigi (Roselyn Sanchez), and their adult children enjoy the spoils of success. Taking a cue from the original show, we follow not just the wealthy Mendozas but the hotel’s staff as well, offering a fresh take on an upstairs/downstairs story. And, of course, in keeping with those types of stories, there’ll be plenty of scandals, intrigue, and secrets set against a backdrop of glamour and luxury.
Grand Hotel premieres June 17, 2019, at 10 p.m. on ABC.
12
Alternatino with Arturo Castro (Comedy Central)
Broad City‘s Arturo Castro gets his own sketch comedy show where he attempts to navigate life as a modern Latino man — whatever that means. Watch Arturo reach the highest highs and lowest lows as he becomes a voice-over artist extraordinaire, tries to spice up his love life, and attempts to keep his mother happy, all the while offering funny sketches that cast him as a slew of familiar and funny characters taking on everything from ICE to Guatemala’s tourism board.
Alternatino with Arturo Castro premieres June 18, 2019, on Comedy Central.
13
Mr. Iglesias (Netflix)
On his very own multicamera series, Fluffy himself aka Gabriel Iglesias plays a good-natured public high school teacher who works at his alma mater. He takes on teaching gifted but misfit kids to not only save them from being “counseled out” by a bully bureaucrat Assistant Principal (Oscar Nuñez), but also to help them unlock their full potential.
Mr. Iglesias premieres on Netflix June 21, 2019.
14
Into the Dark: Culture Shock (Hulu)
Hulu’s horror anthology series will be celebrating Independence day with a brand-new episode from Mexican-Canadian actress, director, and recently named one of Variety’s Ten Latinxs to Watch: Gigi Saul Guerrero. Starring Martha Higareda and Richard Cabral, this thriller follows a young Mexican woman in pursuit of the American dream, who crosses illegally into the United States, only to find herself in an American nightmare.
Culture Shock premieres July 4, 2019, on Hulu.
15
Pearson (USA Network)
Gina Torres leads this Suits spinoff, reprising her role as Jessica Pearson. Recently disbarred, this powerhouse lawyer has to adjust to the down-and-dirty Chicago politics. Newly appointed as Mayor Bobby Novak’s (Morgan Spector) right-hand fixer, Jessica quickly is embroiled in a crooked and dangerous new world where every action has far-reaching consequences. With her compulsion to win, Jessica is forced to reconcile her unstoppable drive with her desire to do the right thing — two things very much at odds.
Pearson premieres July 17, 2019, at 10 p.m. on USA.