Selena Cast & Character Guide

The Selena cast is led by Christian Serratos, but the Netflix series features actors and actresses from several popular TV shows. Based on the life of the late Tejano music icon Selena Quintanilla, Netflix’s Selena series was developed for TV by Moisés Zamora. Part 1 of Selena: The Series released in December 2020, with Part 2 coming later down the line.

Selena: The Series documents the first 20 years of Selena’s life. The story begins in Lake Jackson, Texas, as Abraham Quintanilla realizes that his young daughter, Selena, has an impressive singing voice. He subsequently forms the group Selena y Los Dinos, which also consists of his children A.B. and Suzette. As the years pass, Selena evolves into a popular Tejano vocalist, and the group begins touring beyond their native Texas.

When A.B. invites rock guitarist Chris Pérez to join the group, Selena recognizes a potential romance but tries to hide her feelings for the sake of her band. Selena isn’t designed as a miniseries, so the story will likely continue in future parts and seasons, which could bring back its main cast as well as introduce even more characters based on real-life people.

Christian Serratos As Selena Quintanilla

Christian Serratos stars as Selena Quintanilla, the late Mexican-American superstar who introduced Tejano music into the mainstream. After several years of extensive touring, Selena won Best Mexican/American Album at the 1994 Grammy Awards and took a major leap in her career. Just over a year later, she was murdered by her fan club president, Yolanda Saldivar.

Serratos is best known for starring as Rosita Espinosa in The Walking Dead. She also portrayed Angela in the Twilight movie franchise and Raven in The Secret Life of the American Teenager.

Gabriel Chavarria As A.B. Quintanilla

Gabriel Chavarria co-stars as A.B. Quintanilla, Selena’s brother and long-time producer. In the Netflix series, A.B. is portrayed as the creative force behind the music of Selena y Los Dinos. He eventually created the group Kumbia Kings after Selena’s death.

Chavarria portrayed Tito in Freedom Writers and Jacob Aguilar in East Los High. He recently appeared as Miguel Guerrero in The Purge TV series.

Ricardo Chavira As Abraham Quintanilla

Ricardo Chavira portrays Abraham Quintanilla, Selena’s father and manager. He’s especially protective of his daughter in the Netflix series, and also depicted as a a savvy businessman. Chavira starred as Carlos Solis in Desperate Housewives. He also portrayed Dan Palmer in Santa Clarita Diet, Bruce in Jane the Virgin, and Francisco Vargas in Scandal.

Noemi Gonzalez As Suzette Quintanilla

Noemi Gonzalez portrays Suzette Quintanilla, Selena’s sister and drummer. She’s skeptical of her sister’s relationship with Chris Pérez in the Netflix series, but only because she knows that it will cause problems with their father. Gonzalez portrayed Soli Gomez in East Los High and Mia Rosales in The Young and the Restless. She recently appeared as Delia in The Tax Collector.

Seidy Lopez As Marcella Quintanilla

Seidy Lopez portrays Marcella Quintanilla, Selena’s mother. She’s depicted as a loving and supportive mother in the Netflix series, one who worries about the family’s finances before the group lands a big record deal. Lopez portrayed Dreamer in Training Day and Laura in American Family. She has also appeared in The Shield, NCIS: Los Angeles, and The Bridge.

Hunter Reese Peña As Ricky Vela

Hunter Reese Peña portrays Ricky Vela, the keyboardist for Selena’s band. He’s a quiet character in the Netflix series and doesn’t cause any trouble for his colleagues. Peña appeared in Sketch Juice before landing his big role in Selena: The Series.

Julio Macias As Pete Astudillo

Julio Macias portrays Pete Astudillo, a singer-songwriter who provided back-up vocals in Selena’s band and later went on to have a successful solo career. In the Netflix series, he’s anxious about informing A.B. about his creative pursuits beyond the group. Macias currently portrays Oscar “Spooky” Diaz in On My Block. He has also appeared in Jane the Virgin and S.W.A.T.

Jesse Posey As Chris Perez

Jesse Posey portrays Chris Perez, a rock guitarist who falls in love with Selena. He’s initially recruited by A.B. and doesn’t make a positive first impression upon Abraham, primarily because of his clothing and long hair. Selena: The Series marks the first major role for Posey. Previously, he appeared in the series Stitchers and First Love. He’s the younger brother of actor Tyler Posey.

The Selena: The Series Supporting Cast

Natasha Perez As Yolanda Saldivar: Selena’s fan club president. Natasha Perez has appeared in Spanglish and Lady in the Water. She recently appeared as Grey in Room 104 season 4.

Carlos Alfredo Jr. As Joe Ojeda: A keyboardist for Selena’s band. Carlos Alfredo Jr. starred as Chopps in Mutt and Chopps. He previously made his on-camera debut in the 2012 TV movie Hemingway & Gellhorn.

Luis Bordonada as Johnny Canales: The host of The Johnny Canales Show who helped break Selena’s career at age 13. Luis Bordonada portrayed Brian Archuleta in Better Call Saul and Nelson Herrera in Vida. He has also appeared in The Book of Eli and Fort Bliss.

Gladys Bautista as Vangie Quintanilla: A.B.’s wife. Gladys Bautista has appeared in Masters of Sex and Criminal Minds.

Paul Rodriguez as Roger Garcia: Selena’s back-up guitarist. Paul Rodriguez portrayed Derreck Cabrera in Street Dreams and Officer Claro in The Curse of la Llorona.

Rico Aragon as Jose Behar: An EMI music executive. Rico Aragon portrayed Enrique in I Live with Models and Sam Harper in Pumpkin Pie Wars.

Oscar Avila as Manny Guerra: A Tejano music producer. Oscar Avila has appeared in the Get Shorty TV series and Sicario: Day of the Soldado.

Joe Lorenzo as Luis Silva: A San Antonio songwriter-producer. Joe Lorenzo has appeared in Murder in the First  and American Horror Story.

Catia Ojeda as Laura Canales: A popular musician who speaks with Selena at the Tejano Music Awards. Catia Ojeda portrayed Terri Quinn in Just Add Magic. She has also appeared in Law & Order and 30 Rock.

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Q.V. Hough
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Q.V. Hough is a senior writer at Screen Rant. He’s also the founding editor at Vague Visages, and has contributed to RogerEbert.com and Fandor.

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