“She’s gonna’ tele-you what?”
“No. It’s ‘Telenovela,’ a really entertaining show on NBC Mondays at 8:30 p.m. Gotta watch!”
For the record, telenovelas are romantic, dramatic Latin American soap operas that draw millions and millions of viewers around the globe. And yes, they are cousins to our own American soaps, also hugely popular.
You don’t have to speak Spanish to enjoy “Telenovela,” a newer fictional NBC outing. Here’s why. In the script, Eva Longoria as Ana Sofia Calderon, headlines a popular Spanish language soap opera, shot in Miami, but she doesn’t speak Spanish.
Now there’s a twist!
Accomplished actor Diana Maria Riva, 46, is part of this spot-on cast as she plays Mimi Moncada. She’s Ana Sofia’s BFF, and works as the show’s clothing designer and seamstress. The Hollywood Reporter recently gave her raves.
Diana brings plenty of life, energy and solid experience to her role. She holds an MFA from the University of Cincinnati. She’s appeared in “Everybody Loves Raymond,” “The West Wing,” “The X-Files,” “NYPD Blue,” “The Good Guys,” “Saint George” and so many more.
Her other “Telenovela” cast members include Jose Moreno Brooks, Jencarlos Canela, Izzy Diaz, Jadyn Douglas, Alex Meneses and Eva also executive produces.
Get to know Diana in this video, and for some good giggles, get to know the show if you haven’t already. And let’s hear it for “diversity” on network TV!