Fans were introduced to the world of On My Block when it premiered on Netflix back in 2018, If you loved the original series, here are five reasons why you have to watch its spin-off series Freeridge. 

Freeridge. (L to R) Keyla Monterroso Mejia as Gloria, Bryana Salaz as Ines, Tenzing Trainor as Cameron, Ciara Riley Wilson as Demi in episode 101 of Freeridge. Cr. Kevin Estrada © 2022

1. New characters

 For four seasons viewers followed the lives of characters Ruby(Jason Genao), Monse(Sierra Capri), Cesar(Diego Tinoco), and Jamal (Brett Gray). When the show came to an end, fans were prepared to say goodbye to their favorite characters but, Netflix had another idea.

The new series Freeridge brings fans back to the world of On My Block, this time following the lives of new characters Gloria(Keyla Monterroso Mejia), her sister Ines (Bryana Salaz), and their friends Demi(Ciara Riley Wilson) and Cameron (Tenzing Norgay Trainor). 

Freeridge. (L to R) Ciara Riley Wilson as Demi, Tenzing Trainor as Cameron, Bryana Salaz as Ines, Keyla Monterroso Mejia as Gloria in episode 101 of Freeridge. Cr. Kevin Estrada/Netflix © 2022

2. New challenges.

‘On My Block’ had fans on the edge of their seats as each season brought new challenges for their favorite characters such as coming-of-age struggles, relationship, and friendship dramas. The show also never shied away from serious subjects such as gang violence, the education system, or immigration. 

With a new series and new storylines, there come new challenges. In Freeridge, the characters, specifically the main character Gloria, have to deal with financial struggles, grief, being a parent to a younger sibling, and dealing with friendships, all while attending high school. 

Freeridge. (L to R) Paula Garces as Geny, Eric Neil Gutierrez as Ruben Sr. in episode 104 of Freeridge. Cr. Kevin Estrada © 2022

3. Familiar faces make an appearance.

Fans will recognize a few familiar faces in the Freeridge series as actress, director, and producer, Paula Garcés reprises her role as Geny (Ruby’s mom), and alongside her is actor Eric Gutierrez who played Ruby’s dad. The characters are Gloria and Ines’ neighbors. In addition, actress and fan favorite Peggy Blow who played Ruby’s grandma makes a guest appearance as well.

Freeridge. (L to R) Tenzing Trainor as Cameron, Ciara Riley Wilson as Demi, Zaire Adams as Andre in episode 104 of Freeridge. Cr. Kevin Estrada/Netflix © 2022

4. Representation

One of the many reasons that fans loved the original series was because it represented the Latino community. The series Freeridge allows equal representation not just for the Latino community but the African American community and the LGBTQ community as well. 

Freeridge. (L to R) Keyla Monterroso Mejia as Gloria, Ciara Riley Wilson as Demi in episode 102 of Freeridge. Cr. Kevin Estrada/Netflix © 2022

5. The heart and humor make the show

I loved the original series and I was a little apprehensive to watch the new one. However, any doubts or worries that I had disappeared the minute I watched the first episode. The humor and the heart shine through in the acting and in the storylines. Although Freeridge is a spin-off it stands on its own while still honoring some aspects of the original series and is definitely worth watching. 


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Madison-Taylor Hernandez
Madison-Taylor is a Senior Writer at TodoWafi. She grew up in a Puerto Rican family and is passionate about the culture, music/arts, and literature of the Latin Community. Her hopes for the future are to work for a book publishing company and achieve her dream of bringing stories to life.

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