Latino Contenders From Selena Gomez to Andy Garcia

A friendly reminder: Latinos are still here.

Emmy nomination voting concludes on Monday, June 22, at 10 p.m. PT. For those closely monitoring Latino representation in awards discussions throughout the year, the 2026 submissions offer a more extensive and varied pool of contenders than the final nominations might indicate. The names below are not a mere wish list; they are artists currently on the Television Academy ballot, and several hold a realistic chance of being announced on nomination day. While it may be unlikely for many, Variety is here to urge members to consider…everyone.

Amid the current political climate in the U.S. and increasing attacks on Latino communities, it has been a discouraging time, especially for those who hoped for lasting diversity in the entertainment industry. UCLA’s latest Hollywood Diversity Report, released earlier this month, emphasized a clear message: as budgets tighten and inclusivity commitments diminish, representation for people of color is declining, particularly in film and streaming.

Meanwhile, the Latino population in the U.S. surpassed 68 million in 2024, with an estimated $4.4 trillion in economic output. Since the COVID-19 pandemic’s onset, Latino GDP has grown faster than any major economy, surpassing even India and China. According to the latest Latino GDP report from UCLA and California Lutheran University, the economic contribution of U.S. Latinos now exceeds that of Japan, equating to the world’s fourth-largest economy.

However, in one part of the entertainment industry, a more positive picture emerges. Television — particularly this year’s Emmy ballot — is not entirely reflecting the broader trend.

Below are 11 Latino contenders, in no particular order, that Variety considers deserving of Emmy voters’ attention.

Honorable mentions: Stephanie Beatriz (“Twisted Metal” in lead comedy actress); Diego Calva (“The Night Manager” in supporting drama actor); Eiza González (“Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice” in lead actress, limited or movie); Gabriel Luna (“Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy” in supporting actor, limited or movie); Justina Machado (“Matlock” in guest drama actress); Natalie Morales (“The Beast in Me” in supporting actress, limited or movie); Catalino Sandino Moreno (“From” in supporting drama actress); Michaela Jaé Rodriguez (“Loot” in supporting comedy actress); Anthony Ramos (“Ironheart” in lead actor, limited or movie)

Raúl Castillo (‘Task’)

Image Credit: HBO Max

Category: Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

Castillo, a respected character actor since “Looking,” appears in Brad Ingelsby’s HBO Max crime drama, a follow-up to “Mare of Easttown.” Although he has yet to receive an Emmy nomination, he is an Independent Spirit nominee for “We the Animals” and a Gotham nominee for “The Inspection.” With his esteemed background and grounded performances that the Academy often favors, he could potentially join his co-star Tom Pelphrey in being recognized, making him a strong contender in a category that values such nuanced work.

Liza Colón-Zayas (‘The Bear’)

Image Credit: FX

Category: Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

Colón-Zayas, who made history in 2024 as the first Latina to win an Emmy for supporting comedy actress, continues to deliver emotional performances as Tina Marrero in the FX kitchen dramedy. Throughout its four seasons, her role has evolved with each performance. Although she doesn’t have a standout episode like Season 3’s “Napkins,” her “Replicants” episode, shared with her real-life husband David Zayas, could make them a compelling duo for voters.

Ariana DeBose (‘Scarpetta’)

Category: Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

Ariana DeBose, the first Afro-Latina Oscar winner for “West Side Story” (2021), stars in the Prime Video crime drama opposite Nicole Kidman as Lucy Farinelli-Watson, the daughter of Jamie Lee Curtis’ character, Dorothy. DeBose, already a two-time Emmy nominee for hosting the Tony Awards, is a well-known figure in this arena, supported by goodwill from awards bodies and a stellar cast, which can help draw attention to a new series.

Andy Garcia (‘Landman’)

Image Credit: Emerson Miller/Paramount+

Category: Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

The Cuban screen legend, Andy Garcia, adds gravitas to Taylor Sheridan’s oil drama, playing Gallino. He is a two-time Emmy nominee, recognized in 2001 for “For Love or Country: The Arturo Sandoval Story” as both a lead actor and producer, as well as for his groundbreaking Oscar nomination for “The Godfather Part III” (1990), being the first Cuban nominated for an acting Oscar. Although Sheridan’s shows have faced challenges in converting audience enthusiasm into Emmy recognition, Garcia’s stature in a high-profile ensemble might earn him late consideration from voters.

Manuel Garcia-Rulfo (‘The Lincoln Lawyer’)

Image Credit: COURTESY OF NETFLIX

Category: Lead Actor in a Drama Series

As the charismatic attorney Mickey Haller, Mexican actor Manuel Garcia-Rulfo leads Netflix’s legal drama “The Lincoln Lawyer.” Although the lead drama actor category is highly competitive and popular procedurals rarely make it in, Garcia-Rulfo’s nomination signals the significant impact a Latino star can have in drawing audiences to mainstream hits.

Selena Gomez (‘Only Murders in the Building’)

Image Credit: Hulu

Category: Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

Since its premiere, Selena Gomez has been a steady anchor in Hulu’s popular whodunit comedy. The TV Academy recognized her with her first acting Emmy nomination for the role in 2024. Additionally, she has garnered four consecutive nominations as an executive producer, making her the most-nominated Latina producer in the comedy series category. While facing stiff competition, her prominent role in the series keeps her firmly in contention, as voters who appreciate the show typically admire all three leads.

Oscar Nuñez (‘The Paper’)

Category: Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

Oscar Nuñez reprises his iconic role as Oscar Martinez, the deadpan accountant from “The Office,” in the Peacock mockumentary comedy. In this spinoff, his character is now working at a struggling newspaper in Toledo. Nuñez is familiar to the Television Academy, having won a 2007 Daytime Emmy for “The Office: The Accountants” webisode series and earning a Primetime Emmy nomination in 2016 for “The Crossroads of History.” His involvement could be a fitting way to acknowledge the breakout series.

Jenna Ortega (‘Wednesday’)

Image Credit: BERNARD WALSH/NETFLIX

Category: Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

In 2023, Jenna Ortega became the third Latina ever nominated in the category, following Rita Moreno for “9 to 5” in 1983 and America Ferrera for “Ugly Betty” in 2007 and 2008. At 20, she was the second-youngest nominee in the category’s history. If nominated again for her portrayal of the deadpan, psychic teenager, Ortega would join Ferrera as the only Latinas with multiple nominations in the category. Additionally, her co-star Luis Guzmán, a beloved and recognizable character actor, also deserves Emmy consideration.

Cathryn Dylan Ortiz (‘The Pitt’)

Image Credit: HBO Max

Category: Guest Actress in a Drama Series

With 24 performers submitted for Emmy consideration from the second season of HBO Max’s medical drama “The Pitt,” Cathryn Dylan Ortiz stands out for her heartbreaking portrayal of Brenda Azurmendi. Her character rushes her unresponsive five-year-old son to the ER, becomes overwhelmed by guilt, and attempts suicide outside the hospital. She is saved by Dr. Al-Hashimi (Sepideh Moafi) and placed on psychiatric hold. As the sole Latina performer from the hit show on the ballot, the 33-year-old Mexican actress could make a significant impact if the show gains the attention it seeks.

Judy Reyes (‘High Potential’)

Category: Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

Judy Reyes, known for her roles in “Scrubs” and “Devious Maids,” brings depth to ABC’s breakout procedural “High Potential” as Selena Soto, alongside Kaitlin Olson. Despite a long career, Reyes has received limited award recognition, with an Independent Spirit Award nomination for “Birth/Rebirth” and two ALMA Awards for “Scrubs.” As network dramas struggle for Emmy attention in supporting categories, “High Potential” emerges as a success story, and a nomination for Reyes would mark a well-deserved first Emmy nod for this beloved Latina performer.

David Zayas (‘The Bear,’ ‘Dexter: Resurrection,’ ‘The Night Manager’)

Categories: Guest Actor in a Comedy Series, Supporting Actor in a Drama Series and Guest Actor in a Drama Series

In the acclaimed “Replicants” episode of the FX culinary dramedy, David Zayas debuts as David Marrero, Tina’s husband, played by his real-life wife, Liza Colón-Zayas, who won an Emmy in 2024. Despite his respected acting career, Zayas has never been individually Emmy-nominated but was a 2023 Tony nominee for “Cost of Living.” Additionally, the Puerto Rican actor is on the ballot for reprising his role as Detective Angel Batista in the Paramount+ sequel series “Dexter: Resurrection,” a character he has portrayed since 2006, and for guest drama actor for his work in the Netflix thriller “The Night Agent.”