The new “Dora the Explorer” series has been renewed for a second season.
Why it matters: Dora debuted in 2000 as the first Latina leading character in a children’s show. Since then, the number of Latinos in the U.S. has soared by 80%, from 35.3 million to nearly 64 million — and they’ve become more diverse as well.
- The latest iteration of Dora leans into that diversity — her mother is Peruvian and her father is Cuban and Mexican. The original Dora was pan-ethnic.
Zoom in: “Dora the Explorer” was rebooted as a Paramount+ series that went on air earlier this month.
- The new Dora is voiced by Diana Zermeño and the character’s mother is voiced by the original Dora, Kathleen Herles.
- With the exception of a few shows on PBS Kids, Latinos are still underrepresented in animation, making Dora’s return to the screen significant.
What they’re saying: Dora’s specific ethnic identity is really important as the the share of Latinos from diverse backgrounds has soared, Herles tells Axios Latino.
- “I think it’s really smart how the show has been represented and how they’re representing the Latino community throughout the years,” Herles says.
- “I really think reintroducing the show now too is so important and I think people are going to fall in love with Dora all over again and they’re going to love it,” she adds.
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