Everyone’s No. 1 explorer is returning in just ‘Dora’
Beyoncé, Madonna, Cher — superstars so famous throughout the world they need no last name. And now Dora.
Yes, Dora, the animated 7-year-old who travels the world with monkey bestie Boots and a magical map. A new series on Paramount+ is simply titled “Dora.” We all know by now that she’s an explorer. It follows the original “Dora the Explorer” and the “Dora and Friends: Into the City!” sequel series.
“Dora the Explorer” was the first Nickelodeon show to feature a Latin protagonist, and it taught kids simple Spanish words and phrases through interactive episodes. It paved a path of inclusion that has been replicated throughout the years on “Elena of Avalor,” “Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia,” “The Casagrandes” and “Victor and Valentino.”
also spawned the “Go, Diego, Go!” spinoff, multiple stage shows, merchandise and a 2019 live-action movie. The show has been translated into 32 languages.
The new “Dora” debuts with 26 Cg-animated, 11minute episodes. The first episode features the voice of Taboo of the Black Eyed Peas as Quickatoo, a brightly colored bird. Mexican actress Kate del Castillo voices Ale the Alebrije, a magical jaguar with wings, in the second episode.
Kathleen Herles, in a sweet twist of nostalgia, provides the voice of Mami, Dora’s mother, in the new series. Herles voiced Dora from 2000 to 2007. She’s now 33 years old and says the reboot retains the essence of the original show.
“I love to see the similarities between the show from being a part of it in the beginning and to see how its grown and changed. She’s still the same character, she has her friends, she’s still lov“dora” able. Swiper’s still swiping around,” Herles says. “Dora is just so special and so cute. How can you not love her?”
The show’s creators originally envisioned Dora as “pan-latina” and not tied to a specific culture. On the new series, her mom is Peruvian, and her dad is Mexican and Cuban. The reboot features 10year-old Diana Zermeño as Dora. She spent two years recording for the series and calls it an “honor” to take on the title role.
“I’m still in shock that I got to be a part of this,” Zermeño says. “Dora is very important because she brings a lot of Latina representation, and that’s also important to me. My parents are Mexican. Dora is part Mexican, and she shares some of that culture with the audience. It’s really special because that’s what I’ve always known, and it feels really great to be able to share that with other people.”