Gentefied is an American comedy-drama television series created by Marvin Lemus and Linda Yvette Chávez, that premiered on Netflix on February 21, 2020.[1] The series stars Karrie Martin, Joseph Julian Soria, Carlos Santos and Joaquín Cosío. In May 2020, the series was renewed for a second season which premiered on November 10, 2021.[2][3] In January 2022, the series was canceled after two seasons.[4]

Gentefied
GenreComedy drama
Created byMarvin Lemus & Linda Yvette Chávez
Starring
Music by
Country of originUnited States
Original languages
  • English
  • Spanish
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes18
Production
Executive producers
  • Monica Macer
  • Charles D. King
  • Aaliyah Williams
  • Kim Roth
  • America Ferrera
  • Teri Weinberg
  • Marvin Lemus & Linda Yvette Chávez
  • Marta Fernandez
Producers
  • Wileen Dragovan
  • Lance W. Lanfear
Cinematography
  • Logan Schneider
  • Pedro Gómez Millán
Editors
  • Edwin Ulysses Rivera
  • Jesus Huidobro
  • Mark Bourgeois
  • Waldemar Centeno
Camera setupSingle-camera
Running time25–34 minutes
Production companies
  • MACRO
  • Sector 7 Productions
  • Anchor Baby Productions
  • Take Fountain Productions
  • Yellow Brick Road
Original release
NetworkNetflix
ReleaseFebruary 21, 2020 (2020-02-21) –
November 19, 2021 (2021-11-19)

Synopsis

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Gentefied follows the story of "three Mexican-American cousins and their struggle to chase the American Dream, even while that same dream threatens the things they hold most dear: their neighborhood, their immigrant grandfather and the family taco shop".[5]

Cast and characters

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Main

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  • Joaquín Cosío as Casimiro "Pop" Morales, a widowed owner of "Mama Fina's". He and his wife Delfina ('Mama Fina') had three sons.
  • J.J. Soria as Erik Morales, one of Pop's grandsons with a baby on the way. He's the son of one of Pop's sons.
  • Karrie Martin Lachney as Ana Morales, one of Pop's granddaughters and an artist. She's the daughter of another one of Pop's sons.
  • Carlos Santos as Chris Morales, one of Pop's grandsons and a chef. He's the son of another one of Pop's sons.

Recurring

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  • Julissa Calderon as Yessika Castillo, Ana's girlfriend who is a local activist
  • Jaime Alvarez as Javier, a local musician
  • Greg Ellis as Chef Austin, Chris' boss at "Mangia" who is also the executive chef
  • Annie Gonzalez as Lidia Solis, Erik's pregnant highly educated girlfriend
  • Bianca Melgar as Nayeli Morales, Ana's sister and another of Pop's granddaughters
  • Laura Patalano as Beatriz Morales, Ana and Nayeli's mother who is a seamstress. Widow of one of Pop's sons.
  • Rafael Sigler as Pancho Solis, Lidia's father
  • Al Patiño as Chuey
  • Brenda Banda as Norma, one of Pop's employees
  • Felipe Esparza as Crazy Dave
  • Michelle Ortiz as Connie
  • Manuel Uriza as Ernesto Morales (season 2),[6] Pop's estranged eldest son and Chris' father
  • Melinna Bobadilla as Melinna Barragán (season 2),[6] Pop's immigration lawyer who works for a non-profit organization
  • Ivana Rojas as Saraí Damian (season 2), a chef and Chris' love interest[6]
  • Clarissa Thibeaux as Bree Solano (season 2),[6] a queer advertising executive who is recruiting Ana to work for Nike

Guest stars

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Episodes

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Series overview

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SeasonEpisodesOriginally released
110February 21, 2020 (2020-02-21)
28November 19, 2021 (2021-11-19)

Season 1 (2020)

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No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
11"Casimiro"Marvin LemusMarvin Lemus & Linda Yvette ChávezFebruary 21, 2020 (2020-02-21)
22"Bail Money"Marvin LemusMarvin Lemus & Linda Yvette ChávezFebruary 21, 2020 (2020-02-21)
33"Bad Hombres"America FerreraAlessia CostantiniFebruary 21, 2020 (2020-02-21)
44"Unemployed AF"America FerreraArielle DíazFebruary 21, 2020 (2020-02-21)
55"The Mural"Marta CunninghamLinda Yvette ChávezFebruary 21, 2020 (2020-02-21)
66"The Grapevine"Marta CunninghamMarvin LemusFebruary 21, 2020 (2020-02-21)
77"Brown Love"Aurora GuerreroMonica MacerFebruary 21, 2020 (2020-02-21)
88"Women's Work"Aurora GuerreroEmilia SerranoFebruary 21, 2020 (2020-02-21)
99"Protest Tacos"Andrew AhnMonica Macer & Camila María Concepción & Jamie Bess TunkelFebruary 21, 2020 (2020-02-21)
1010"Delfina"Andrew AhnLinda Yvette Chávez & Marvin LemusFebruary 21, 2020 (2020-02-21)

Season 2 (2021)

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No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
111"Welcome Home, Pop"America FerreraLinda Yvette Chávez & Marvin LemusNovember 10, 2021 (2021-11-10)
122"Vivian Castro Hates Mexicans"America FerreraMarvin Lemus & Linda Yvette ChávezNovember 10, 2021 (2021-11-10)
133"Daddy"Linda Yvette ChávezArielle DíazNovember 10, 2021 (2021-11-10)
144"Send Me A Sign"Diego VelascoLuisa LeschinNovember 10, 2021 (2021-11-10)
155"Yessika's Day Off"Marvin LemusKeith Antone & Cameron J. RossNovember 10, 2021 (2021-11-10)
166"Sangiving"America FerreraArielle DíazNovember 10, 2021 (2021-11-10)
177"No More Band-Aids"Marvin LemusKeith Antone & Cameron J. Ross & Francisco Cabrera-FeoNovember 10, 2021 (2021-11-10)
188"No Human Is Illegal"Marvin LemusLinda Yvette Chávez & Luisa LeschinNovember 10, 2021 (2021-11-10)

Production

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Development

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On February 6, 2019, it was announced that Netflix had given the production a series order for a ten-episode first season. The series is created by Marvin Lemus and Linda Yvette Chávez who are credited as executive producers alongside Monica Macer, Aaliyah Williams, America Ferrera, Charles D. King, Kim Roth and Teri Weinberg. America Ferrera will also be directing two episodes of the series.[7][8] MACRO, Take Fountain and Yellow Brick Road will be involved in the production of the series.[5] The series was released on February 21, 2020.[1] On May 18, 2020, Netflix renewed the series for an eight-episode second season.[2] On November 23, 2020, it was announced that the series' executive producer Aaliyah Williams signed a deal with CBS Studios.[9] The second season premiered on November 10, 2021.[3] On January 13, 2022, Netflix canceled the series after two seasons.[4]

Casting

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In April 2019, it was announced that Karrie Martin, Joseph Julian Soria, Carlos Santos and Joaquín Cosío would star in the series.[10][11] In May 2019, it was reported that Julissa Calderon, Annie Gonzalez, Laura Patalano, Felipe Esparza, Rafael Sigler, Jaime Alvarez, Bianca Melgar, Michelle Ortiz and Alejandro Patiño were cast in recurring roles.[12] In April 2021, Clarissa Thibeaux, Manuel Uriza, Ivana Rojas, and Melinna Bobadilla joined the cast in recurring roles for the second season.[6]

Gonzalez has a role in another show, Vida, which also explores the issue of gentrification in Boyle Heights. When NBC News reporter Ludwig Hurtado asked about the multiple shows on the same topic, Gonzalez said, "If we can have all these other procedurals of police shows and firefighters shows, we could have more shows like this. There's never enough.”[13]

Reception

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Critical response

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On Rotten Tomatoes, the first season has an approval rating of 92% based on 24 reviews, with an average rating of 8/10. The website's critics consensus states, "If at times a bit blunt, Gentefied's gente-centric approach to the realities of gentrification is as strikingly personal as it is hilariously relatable."[14] On Metacritic, it has a weighted average score of 70 out of 100, based on 11 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[15]

Writing for The New York Times, James Poniewozik thought the series was didactic at times, though positively, "The production feels connected to the place, sidewalk and soil. The show's voice is distinctive and assured, both figuratively and literally. It slips naturally among English and Spanish and Spanglish the same way its stories slip among worlds — from the Boyle Heights streets to the gallery world, from immigrant women sewing piecework to immigrant line cooks chiffonading herbs."[16]

The second season holds a 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 5 reviews, with an average rating of 8/10.[17]

Accolades

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Gentefied was nominated for the Outstanding Comedy Series category for the 33rd GLAAD Media Awards in 2022.[18]

References

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  1. ^ a b Petski, Denise (January 21, 2020). "'Gentefied' Latinx Comedy Gets Netflix Premiere Date & Official Trailer". DeadlineHollywood. Archived from the original on February 24, 2020. Retrieved January 21, 2020.
  2. ^ a b Petski, Denise (May 18, 2020). "'Gentefied' Renewed For Season 2 By Netflix". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on May 19, 2020. Retrieved May 18, 2020.
  3. ^ a b Cordero, Rosy (September 10, 2021). "'Gentefied': Season 2 Premiere Set At Netflix". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on September 10, 2021. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
  4. ^ a b Andreeva, Nellie (January 13, 2022). "'Gentefied' Canceled By Netflix After Two Seasons". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on January 13, 2022. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  5. ^ a b Pedersen, Erik (February 6, 2019). "'Gentefied': Netflix Orders Latinx Dramedy From America Ferrera, Teri Weinberg, Macro & Web Series Duo". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on April 7, 2019. Retrieved May 23, 2019.
  6. ^ a b c d e Petski, Denise (April 23, 2021). "'Gentefied': Clarissa Thibeaux, Manuel Uriza, Ivana Rojas, Melinna Bobadilla Join Netflix Dramedy As Recurring". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on April 23, 2021. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
  7. ^ Mathews, Liam (January 21, 2020). "Watch the Trailer for Netflix's New Spanglish Comedy Gentefied". TV Guide. Archived from the original on January 21, 2020. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
  8. ^ Grobar, Matt (January 29, 2020). "'Gentefied' EP America Ferrera: Netflix Comedy Series Captures "All Of The Things That I Am" — Sundance Studio". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on January 31, 2020. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  9. ^ Ramos, Dino-Ray (November 23, 2020). "'Gentefied' EP Aaliyah Williams Inks First-Look Deal With CBS Studios". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 23, 2020. Retrieved November 23, 2020.
  10. ^ Petski, Denise; Andreeva, Nellie (April 5, 2019). "'Gentefied': Karrie Martin, JJ Soria, Carlos Santos & Joaquin Cosio To Star In Netflix Latinx Dramedy Series". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on April 7, 2019. Retrieved May 23, 2019.
  11. ^ Porter, Rick (April 5, 2019). "Netflix's America Ferrera-Produced Latinx Dramedy 'Gentefied' Sets Cast". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on May 23, 2019. Retrieved May 23, 2019.
  12. ^ Petski, Denise (May 22, 2019). "'Gentefied': Netflix Sets Recurring Cast For Latinx Dramedy Series". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on May 22, 2019. Retrieved May 23, 2019.
  13. ^ Hurtado, Ludwig (March 6, 2020). "'Gentefied' leading actresses talk about Spanglish, tacos and being 'Latina enough'". NBC News.
  14. ^ "Gentefied: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
  15. ^ "Gentefied: Season 1". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
  16. ^ Poniewozik, James (February 20, 2020). "'Gentefied' Review: A Rent Is Too Damn High Party". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 16, 2021. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
  17. ^ "Gentefied: Season 2". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  18. ^ "The Nominees for the 33rd Annual GLAAD Media Awards". GLAAD. January 21, 2022. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
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