‘Gordita Chronicles’ Comedy Gets Series Order From HBO Max

The kids and family comedy Gordita Chronicles has received a series order from HBO Max. The series comes from Sony Pictures Television and is set to star Diana Maria Riva (Man With A Plan), Juan Javier Cardenas (Snowfall) and Olivia Goncalves (Scooter McGruder). Zoe Saldana‘s banner – Cinestar – is producing with Mariel Saldana and Cisely Saldana executive producing for Cinestar Pictures. ‘Gordita Chronicles’ HBO Max

“We are thrilled to partner with Zoe, Eva, Josh and Sony Pictures Television to bring to life this beautiful coming-of-age story inspired by Claudia’s personal journey,” said Jennifer O’Connell, Executive Vice President, Non-Fiction and Live-Action Family Programming, HBO Max. “HBO Max is proud to work with the powerhouse Latinx talent in front of and behind the camera for this series, which we believe will resonate with all families,” added Sarah Aubrey, Head of Original Content, HBO Max. 

Gordita Chronicles is a family comedy about a willful, 12-year-old Dominican girl who struggles to fit into hedonistic 1980’s Miami as her family pursues the American dream. Olivia Goncalves as “Carlota ‘Cucu’ Castelli,” a willful, confident, reluctant Dominican immigrant with a heart of gold. Cucu is overzealous in her quest to regain the queen bee status in her new school, when her parents and older sister move to Miami for her dad’s new job. Eva Longoria directed the pilot and will serve as executive producer for UnbeliEVAble Entertainment. Claudia Forestieri penned the pilot and will serve as executive producer. 

Also starring in Gordita Chronicles are; Diana Maria Riva (Dead to Me, McFarland, USA) as “Adela,” Cucu’s mom. Juan Javier Cardenas as “Victor Castelli,” Cucu’s dad. Savannah Nicole Ruiz as “Emilia,” Cucu’s older sister. Noah Rico (High School Musical: The Musical) as “Yosmel ‘Yoshy’ Hernandez,” a Cuban refugee and Cucu’s first friend in Miami. Cosette Hauer as “Ashley,” an optimistic go-getter desperate to fit in, but nevertheless always sticks out.

“From the minute we heard Claudia’s childhood story, we knew it was not only incredibly funny, but emotionally poignant and an important story to tell,” said Jason Clodfelter, Co-President, Sony Pictures Television Studios.  “Cucu and the Castellis remind us of the iconic sitcom families we grew up watching, but none of those ever captured a Dominican family’s experience of coming to America. This show changes all of that, and we are thrilled and grateful to dive back in and make a wonderful series for our friends at HBO Max.”

Josh Berman (Drop Dead Diva, CSI) executive produces alongside Jennifer Robinson and Chris King of Osprey Productions. Brigitte Munoz-Liebowitz will executive produce and showrun for Bons Mots Emporium.