Best Roles by Latina Actresses

Jane Villanueva from Jane the Virgin

There is nothing Jane loves more than love itself: love for her family, her career, and her friends. Gina Rodriguez portrays this strong-willed, passionate writer with the complexity all Latinx characters deserve.

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Letty Ortiz from The Fast and the Furious

Image Source: Everett Collection

Badass doesn't begin to describe Michelle Rodriguez's character in The Fast and the Furious franchise. This jack of all trades mechanic and racer is brave, whip-smart, and unapologetic.

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Laurel Castillo from How to Get Away With Murder

Image Source: ABC

Quiet and reserved, this budding lawyer is usually the smartest one in the room — not that she is letting anyone know that. When she speaks, though, people listen. Mexican-Chilean actress Karla Souza keeps Laurel authentic and grounded, although nothing else in her life may be.

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Nyota Uhura from Star Trek

Image Source: Everett Collection

The original Star Trek's Uhura gave way to one of the very first black actresses in a main role on television in 1966. Dominican and Puerto Rican actress Zoe Saldana continued the character's legacy, playing the translator and communications officer in the 2009 film reboot of the iconic intergalactic series.

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Santana Lopez from Glee

Image Source: Everett Collection

Ruthless cheerleader and mean girl Santana is part of the trio of the most popular girls in school, but her sensitivity and insecurities are later revealed after she comes out as lesbian.

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Gloria Mendoza from Orange Is the New Black

Image Source: Everett Collection

As the "mother" of the group, Gloria is always looking out for the other prisoners at Litchfield. Her abusive past is in contrast to the protective, defensive nature she has with those close to her.

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Amy Dubanowski from Superstore

Image Source: NBC

Responsible, meddling Amy. As floor supervisor at superstore Cloud 9, she takes her job very seriously and manages with a no-nonsense attitude.

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Jessica Pearson from Suits

Image Source: Everett Collection

Ambitious and professional, lawyer Jessica worked her way to the top of her firm's chain of command, taking no prisoners in the process.

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Sue Storm/Invisible Woman from Fantastic Four

Image Source: Everett Collection

Jessica Alba became one of the first Latina women to play a Marvel superhero as Invisible Woman, whose non-hero counterpart is a brilliant scientist named Sue Storm.

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Lydia, Penelope, and Elena from One Day at a Time

Image Source: Everett Collection

These three women are the strongest, funniest, and realest on television. Each woman has her own individual personality, beliefs, and values. However, at the end of the day, family comes first and they support and love each other unconditionally.

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Callie Torres from Grey's Anatomy

Image Source: ABC

Sara Ramirez portrayed the longest-running LGBTQ+ character on television for 11 seasons. The driven orthopedic surgeon was initially introduced as a love interest for another character, but her strong personality kept her in for the long run.

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April Ludgate-Dwyer from Parks and Recreation

Image Source: NBC

Aggressively underachieving and indifferent, April's sarcastic deadpanning made Aubrey Plaza a household name.

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Gloria Delgado-Pritchett from Modern Family

Image Source: ABC

Call it what you want, but Gloria is one badass woman! She emigrated to America as a young girl from Columbia, raised her son as a single mother working as a cab driver and hairdresser, and still bagged the successful silver fox in the end. Her outspoken, fiery personality is one every Latina knows well (come on, we all have that one tia), and her one-liners make the show one of the funniest in American history. Facts.

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