Photo of Eva Longoria by Kathy Hutchins /Shutterstock.com; The Baker and the Beauty/ABC Network
Someone, somewhere in TV executive land made the decision to axe The Baker and The Beauty on the ABC Network after just one season – and well, what on earth were they thinking?
The romantic dramedy is adapated from an Israeli production and stars Australian-Peruvian actress Nathalie Kelley, and the most charming, charismatic Latinx cast including Lisa Vidal, Victor Rasuk and David Del Rio.
It’s a beautiful. heart-warming series about a working class baker and a glamorous model with her own business empire whose worlds collide when they fall in love.
But it’s also about the power of family. And believing in yourself. And food – lots of mouth-watering Latino food.
Within hours of the show being axed, not only did an online petition appear urging other streaming channels to pick up the show, but also some of the biggest Latinx actors and actresses in Hollywood began calling for a second season.
“Representation matters on television!” Eva Longoria writes on social media. “This was a sweet show about a good family! And one of the only Latino shows out there!”
And she’s right.
It was the only Latino show on mainstream American television.
According to Lisa Vidal who plays strong-minded, loving mum Mari Garcia on the show, “there are over 500 television shows on air and ZERO latino shows on network TV right now, and only a handful on streaming.” (Think Jane the Virgin and Queen of the South.)
Actor JW Cortés described the cancellation of the show as “heartbreaking.”
“ABC has cancelled the ONLY LATINO SHOW on prime time TV,” he writes in a Tweet urging NBC Universal to consider picking up the program. “Our stories are worth telling!”
(Photo: @JWCortes/Twitter)
Actress Alex Meneses has also weighed into the conversation:
“Latinos comprise 20% of the population here in the U.S but only 3% on television,” she writes on Instagram. “We all need representation.”
Actor Amaury Nolasco says “we need shows like this one. About a good Latino.”
Meanwhile actress Zoe Saldana is also supporting calls for a second season: “We were all watching the show! And when I say WE, I mean we Americans of Latinx Blood.”
Well, actually Zoe, this Aussie non-Latina mum-of-3 also watched the entire season.
In one delightful binge-fest.
And quite frankly, I can’t wait to find out what happens to Noa Hamilton and Daniel Garcia next.
Would you like to see the show renewed for a second season? Sign the petition HERE.