Actress Eva Longoria really made her mark on television playing the vivacious Gabrielle Solis in "Desperate Housewives," and since the show wrapped up back in 2012, Longoria has not been seen on another show because she has been busy with producing and directing efforts through UnbeliEVAble Entertainment.
But now, Longoria will light up the small screen once again with a new show - the NBC comedy "Telenovela."
"I knew I wanted to return to television because television is my favorite medium of content. Television is at its best right now, it's so good," Longoria told Variety at a press event for the show.
Reflecting on her role in "Desperate Housewives," Longoria said that she knew it would take something really good to reel her back in to television, and she found just that in "Telenovela."
"I did hit the lottery with 'Housewives.' I was on the best show of the last decade," Longoria said. She thought she would not hit the lottery again, but she was glad she was wrong.
In "Telenovela," Longoria plays Ana Sofia, the star of a Spanish soap opera who ironically cannot speak Spanish.
"This is a world we haven't seen in television before," Longoria said of her new show. "She's in this great big world of being a Latin star, but yet insecure about, 'Am I Latin enough?'"
Longoria actually found herself relating to her character because she grew up as a non-Spanish-speaking Mexican-American. She dealt with feelings of self doubt while growing up, and she hopes she was able to convey it in her performance.
The actress also hopes that Hispanic viewers will come to realize that cultural ties are not determined by language proficiency alone.
Her leading man Cuban-American singing sensation Jencarlos Canela added that "ridiculous circumstances that are presented to us in Spanish soap operas" are a true testament of real-life situations in the Hispanic community. "We're a passionate culture," he further said.
Cast member Amaury Nolasco, who grew up in Puerto Rico, cannot help but agree, since watching telenovelas was a huge part of his family's daily routine.
The entire cast and crew of "Telenovela" is thrilled to get the chance to work with Longoria, and they have nothing bur praises for the "Desperate Housewives" alum.
"Eva is nothing but laughter and productivity and it's the best combination and best formula for a creative environment," said Diana Maria Riva, who plays Ana Sofia's confidante.
Puerto Rican actress Jadyn Douglas, who plays Roxi Rios, also said: "She really drives this ship and immediately made us all feel like family."
