The brief and influential life of Selena Quintanilla-Pérez will return to the screen via a new biopic series on Netflix. The late queen of Tejano music’s official Twitter page announced "Selena: The Series" with a brief teaser clip yesterday (December 11).
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?Bidi Bidi Bom Bom? @SelenaLaLeyenda incredible life story is coming to Netflix as a scripted series! @selena_netflix was developed alongside and will be executive produced by The Quintanilla family #NetflixNewsWeek pic.twitter.com/bDYVaxnkSC
rnt— Selena Quintanilla (@SelenaLaLeyenda) December 11, 2018
rntThe Hollywood Reporter writes that Netflix gave a straight-to-series order for the series, which follows Selena’s upbringing in a Mexican-American Texas family and ascent to multinational stardom. Selena’s sister Suzette Quintanilla and father Abraham Quintanilla Jr., who found fame with their loved one in Selena y los Dinos, will executive produce with the series’ screenwriter, Moisés Zamora ("Star").
"Selena will always have a lasting place in music history and we feel great responsibility to do justice to her memory. With this series, viewers will finally get the full history of Selena, our family and the impact she has had on all of our lives," Suzette Quintanilla told THR and other publications.
Fans reacted on social media with a mix of joy and trepidation. Some celebrated the importance of telling Latinx stories, especially one about a major cultural icon:
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All that I have on my mind this Tuesday is when is “Selena” going to be available on Netflix?
rnt— Lina Guerrero (@Lina_Guerrero27) December 11, 2018
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@Netflix is filling my craving for more English-language, Latinx-centric media. Between @OneDayAtATime, @OnMyBlockTv, and the Selena series, I’m so excited for 2019!
rnt— Monica DeSantiago (@texasmonsta) December 12, 2018
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I’m REALLY glad the Netflix Selena series is going to be a coming-of-age story because 1. There are not many Latinx stories in that genre and 2. It’s NOT GONNA BE EASY to cast adult Selena.
rnt— Tiffany Vazquez ?? (@filmiliarface) December 12, 2018
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rntOthers hope Netflix will not Whitewash Selena or supporting characters:
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@netflix all I’m saying is that there are so many talented latinas out there that can play Selena. Do. Not. Fucking. Disappoint. Us. We don’t want some white girl pretending to sing in Spanish.
rnt— Stephanie Garcia♡ (@stephgarciaxo) December 12, 2018
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? This made my week. But serious question: who is going to play #Selena? @selena_netflix and @netflix better give the role to a real Latinx actress- preferably someone that’s Mexican American. https://t.co/y65vu0e0H9
rnt— Anthony Perez (@tony_fromdabloc) December 11, 2018
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So excited for the upcoming @selena_netflix series I wonder who there going to get? Are they going to get someone new? or someone already established. Camila Cabello? Eiza Gonzalez, Adria Arjona, Ana De Armas so many possibilities! Can’t wait for the series!
rnt— STEVEN GONZALEZ (@StevenAGonzalez) December 11, 2018
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rntMeanwhile, some people questioned the wisdom of resurrecting Selena’s story—which ended tragically when fan club president Yolanda Saldívar killed her in 1995:
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Ummmm y’all idk how to feel about this new Netflix series based on the life of Selena. I want it, but at the same time I don’t. Let the good sis Rest In Peace pleaseeee @netflix pic.twitter.com/QO9gMOu8Ys
rnt— CC (@camilaccdl) December 11, 2018
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