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A Latino student's coming of age inspires new streaming comedy “Primo”

Editores | 28/05/2023 19:42 | CULTURE AND SOCIETY
IMG Jeff Neumann / Amazon Freevee

“Primo” is a new coming-of-age comedy that debuted on Amazon’s free streaming service, Freevee. Based on the life of journalist and author Shea Serrano, the series depicts the chaotic and relatable environment of a young Latino high school student named Rafa as he grows up in a house in San Antonio with his single mother and five uncles. Serrano is known for his bestsellers on pop culture and sports, such as  “The Rap Year Book” and “Basketball (and Other Things)”, which have been made into documentaries for AMC and Hulu, according to NBC News.


“Primo” follows Rafa, played by Ignacio Diaz-Silverio, as he grapples with cultural norms, college aspirations, social expectations, and the hectic home life of being raised by his single mother, played by Christina Vidal, and his five uncles, who have very different perspectives and lifestyles on masculinity.


Shea Serrano is one of the showrunners and creators of the series, along with Mike Schur, known for his previous shows like “The Good Place” and “Parks and Rec”. Serrano is the first Mexican-American to have four-time New York Times bestselling writer status and is a screenwriter, podcaster and former teacher. In a virtual interview, Serrano explained that while the show is based on a Latino character, it's not just about emphasizing the family's Latino identity, but rather portraying everyday life authentically.


The series covers important moments in Rafa’s life, such as the completion of high school, involvement with the girl of his dreams, and the opportunity to become the first member of his family to go to college. He receives advice and views from his family, especially his uncles.


Serrano expressed hope that people will feel good about watching the show and want more seasons. He stressed the importance of making the program as specific as possible and giving space for diverse talent to contribute. Diaz-Silverio also underscored the universal appeal of the series, stating that it's not just about a Hispanic family, just like “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” isn't just about Irish. He believes the evolution of representation in the media lies in allowing people to be portrayed as human beings, regardless of their ethnic identity.


In addition to "Primo," Serrano recently signed a deal with Amazon Studios to develop an original, limited podcast series. He’s also been involved in other projects, such as the Netflix comedy series “Neon” and his first feature film, “Miguel Wants to Fight”, which will be released on Hulu later this year.

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