This Hispanic Heritage Month, we’re spotlighting Latinx actors who bring joy and positivity to our screens. And recently, Belissa Escobedo and Pablo Castelblanco have been making audiences laugh and warming our hearts on the NBC sitcom, Happy’s Place.
Escobedo plays the quick-witted, recently discovered half-sister, Isabella, who inherits a tavern alongside Reba McEntire’s character. Castelblanco, meanwhile, takes on the role of Steve, the germaphobic accountant who works at the newly inherited bar, providing a constant source of comedic tension. Their performances have filled our television screens with laughter and joy.
The show provides a much-needed form of escapism for those who may be feeling overwhelmed by the news of the mistreatment of Latinos in the United States or who are tired of Latinos being portrayed in negative stereotypes. While the media has the power to tell positive and inspiring stories, it also has a long history of employing harmful stereotypes, particularly against the Latinx community. Therefore, positive representation and escapism in media are crucial during difficult times. And you can find that at Happy’s Place.
Belissa Escobedo and Pablo Castelblanco on Happy’s Place
Temple of Geek sits down with Belissa Escobedo (“Isabella”) and Pablo Castelblanco (“Steve”) to discuss their roles in the show Happy’s Place, highlighting the importance of seeing diverse Latino characters in non-heritage-focused narratives, the challenges of balancing comedy with real-life issues, and working alongside sitcom legends.
The Joy of Just Existing
The actors discussed the refreshing nature of being part of a main ensemble cast that features multiple Latino actors without centering the narrative solely on their heritage. Escobedo noted that while many Latino stories focus on struggle, there is power in seeing their joy and laughter and “us just existing” without having to carry a constant burden on screen. She described the show as “30 minutes of fun” watching two Latinos in Knoxville, Tennessee, getting into shenanigans.
Belissa Escobedo: So many of our stories, as well, can be about our struggle and the power in that. And I think there’s power in seeing our joy and our laughter and us just existing and not having to struggle each day and carry this burden. Not that it’s not inherently there, but to not have it on screen during that time. It’s just 30 minutes of fun. You’re just seeing these two Latinos in Knoxville, Tennessee, get into shenanigans and laugh with Reba McIntyre. It’s really great.
Happy’s Place and Latinx Values Represented on Screen
While Castelblanco doesn’t actively put his heritage “forward first,” his character still acts with the values he grew up with. Steve is on a journey that mirrors many Latinos who are trying to understand how to deal with their trauma and address things their parents’ generation didn’t.
Pablo Castelblanco: It also speaks to some of the values I grew up with. I don’t think I go through my life, as Pablo, just being like, let me just put all these things forward first. But you act with your values all the time. I feel like our characters specifically are looking for self-betterment. They’re always trying to be there for each other. Speaking for Isabella, I feel like she’s always looking out for her sister, like being there for her friends as well. It’s just keeping people safe. I think Steve is on a journey that I’ve seen many of my fellow people back home and Latinos here that are like trying to understand how to deal with their trauma and learning things that maybe our parents’ generation didn’t deal with. So I feel like we’re also doing things that are things I see our Latino people do every day.
Season 2 of Happy’s Place Coming Soon
Happy’s Place Season 2 premieres Friday, Nov. 7 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC and will be available the next day on Peacock.
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