Social Impact: The perfect TV star? Here's why Stephanie Beatriz is ours

IN TODAY'S MORE inclusive television landscape, one show perhaps above all openly celebrates its diversity (as do we), while continuing to provide some of the finest comedy writing and performances across all the US broadcast networks. Police sitcom Brooklyn Nine-Nine, inexplicably dropped by Fox earlier this year yet instantly recommissioned a day later by NBC as a result of fan outcry, consistently delivers a mix of solid laugh-out-loud story lines combined with occasional moments of social commentary reflecting modern New York society. One of its stars, Beatriz, arguably embodies the show's ethos. Here's why...
Changing perspectives fast
From the off, the odds were against Beatriz being cast in the series which has to date defined her acting career. Initially reading for the explicitly Latin character Amy Santiago, it was immediately clear that co-star Melissa Fumero was more suited to the role. Casting director Allison Jones, however, saw the Colombian-Bolivian-Argentine-American's undoubted potential and asked her to read for what was then the slated role of Megan who, after Beatriz's audition, was changed to Rosa Diaz. Her take on the smart, scary, no-nonsense detective has become one of the series' defining characters.
Two strong female Latin leads
Not too long ago an American sitcom was lucky to possess one strong female role, let alone two. To have them both hail from ethnic minorities was unheard of. Nine-Nine actually boasts three perfectly crafted series-regular female characters, though officers Rosa Diaz and Amy Santiago have appeared to resonate with all demographics more than most. The actors, Beatriz and Fumero, who are friends in real-life, welcome the attention their unique status brings having professed their love for being the change they wished to see for so long in publications including Latina magazine.
Acting prowess
Brooklyn Nine-Nine is bursting at the seams with quality performers, from the regulars to the cameos. Andre Braugher's gravitas is wonderfully complemented by Chelsea Peretti's whimsy, for example. However, watch any interview with the smiling, softly-spoken Beatriz, and you come away with a sense of the theatre-trained actor's talents.  
Incorporating real life
Throughout the so-far five seasons of the show, we believe it is safe to say Rosa Diaz has navigated the most interesting story arcs. This is, in part, a result of Beatriz's willingness to incorporate her real-life journeys into Rosa's makeup. Imploring the writers to include her own coming out as bisexual into Rosa's profile was an unexpected turn for the show runners, but one which has proved immensely popular. A recent Comic Con Q&A had people lining up to iterate just as much.    
Making 'em laugh
Really, above all for a sitcom actor you must have the ability to make people laugh and Beatriz simply does. Whether it's her turn as Sofia Vergara's crazy jealous sister Sonia on Modern Family or delivering a taciturn put-down as Rosa Diaz, this actor's screen presence furnishes audiences with smiles. Being a role model undeniably should be celebrated, but so too should Beatriz's comedic prowess.
david@khaleejtimes.com