Are you ready to meet the fresh faces of the latest Netflix sensation?
Freeridge, the highly-anticipated spin-off of the widely-popular Netflix series On My Block, has finally arrived, and it’s already making waves in the world of teen comedy dramas.
This American teen comedy-drama series, created by a talented team of Lauren Iungerich, Eddie Gonzales, Jeremy Haft, Jamie Dooner, and Jamie Uyeshiro, premiered on the streaming platform on February 2, 2023.
Freeridge, a spin-off of On My Block, is a new American teen comedy-drama series that premiered on Netflix on February 2, 2023, and stars Bryana Salaz, Tenzing Norgay Trainor, Ciara Riley Wilson, and Keyla Monterroso Mejia (Credit: Netflix)
In Freeridge, siblings and rivals Gloria and Ines and their pals Demi and Cameron unwittingly release a curse, bringing a dark tragedy and a new experience.
With a talented cast of fresh faces and its relatable and humorous depiction of adolescence, Freeridge is poised to become your next binge-watch obsession.
Let’s delve into the main cast of Freeridge and give you a sneak peek into the personalities and backgrounds of these up-and-coming stars.
1. Keyla Monterroso Mejia as Gloria
Gloria, portrayed by Keyla Monterroso Mejia, is the apparent leader of the Freeridge gang. Her tremendous energy and determination inspire the rest of the group to work together.
Keyla Monterroso Mejia starred in the final episode of On My Block and plays Gloria in the spinoff series Freeridge (Credit: Netflix)
She’s smart, grown up, and unapologetically herself. Her fierce temper sometimes gets the best of her and lands her in trouble, but she always manages to pull herself back together with the same dogged determination.
Viewers of Keyla Monterroso Mejia’s comedic work may recall her as the iconic supporting character Ashley in Abbott Elementary or as the aspiring actress Maria Sofia in Curb Your Enthusiasm.
Keyla Monterroso Mejia in a black dress at the Special Screening Of Netflix’s “BOO, BITCH” at The Bay Theater on June 22, 2022, in Pacific Palisades, California (Credit: ABACA / INSTARimages)
The 25-year-old actress has been on several high-profile television shows, including Boo, Bitch, and the On My Block episode “The Final Chapter.”
2. Bryana Salaz as Ines
Ines, played by Bryana Salaz, is Gloria’s gifted younger sister who is a year ahead of her peers at school.
In contrast to Gloria’s extreme pragmatism and common sense, Ines takes pleasure in anarchy. She acts as though the rules don’t apply to her.
American actress and singer Bryana Salaz first gained recognition in 2014 when she appeared on the seventh season of The Voice as part of Gwen Stefani’s team and now stars as Ines, the sister of Keyla Monterroso Mejia as Gloria, in the Netflix spin-off series Freeridge (Credit: Netflix)
In Freeridge, Bryana Salaz plays the younger sister of the character Gloria, but in reality, she is slightly older. Born on August 25, 1997, the actress is now 25 years old.
In the series, Ines gradually lets down her guard, explaining why she first comes across as cold and aloof.
Singer and actress Bryana Salaz rose to fame after competing on The Voice Season 7 in 2014 on Gwen Stefani’s team.
On January 22, 2017, Bryana Salaz wore a sexy outfit to surprise Ricky Garcia on his 18th birthday at his all-time favorite restaurant STK in Westwood, California (Credit: Tony DiMaio / Startraksphoto)
The 25-year-old has lately led the Netflix comedy series Team Kaylie and has also been in shows including Malibu Rescue, The Lion Guard, and Bizaardvark alongside Olivia Rodrigo.
3. Tenzing Norgay Trainor as Cameron
Cameron, played by Tenzing Norgay Trainor, is the only guy in the group and an outspoken bisexual who tends to overcomplicate events, even if he doesn’t always come to the proper judgment.
Even though he has a boyfriend, he can’t stop thinking about Demi, whom he has had a crush on since they were both 12 years old.
Tenzing Norgay Trainor as Cameron, Zaire Adams as his boyfriend Andre, and Ciara Riley Wilson as Demi on the American teen comedy-drama series Freeridge (Credit: Netflix)
A veteran of the Hollywood landscape, Tenzing Norgay Trainor has been in several Disney Channel productions.
However, he is best known for his portrayal as Parker Rooney on the hit ABC Family series Liv and Maddie. The most recent films he has appeared in are American Housewife and Boo, Bitch.
Tenzing Norgay Trainor, born in Plantation, Florida, has a diverse cultural background as his mother hails from Darjeeling, India, and has Bengali Hindu roots, while his father is from Jammu, India, and is of Pashto Muslim descent (Credit: ABACA / INSTARimages)
Interesting fact: the 21-year-old actor is the grandson of Tenzing Norgay, who, along with Sir Edmund Hillary, was the first person to reach the peak of Mount Everest. Tenzing is a mixture of both Indian Bengali and Indian Pashtun heritage.
4. Ciara Riley Wilson as Demi
Demi, played by Ciara Riley Wilson, is a part of the Freeridge gang and a second-generation Asian-American. She is the group’s most spiritual member and works as a social worker.
Ciara Riley Wilson, Tenzing Norgay Trainor, Bryana Salaz and Keyla Monterroso Mejia on Freeridge (Credit: Netflix)
Her understanding of astrology, crystals, and tarot cards could be helpful to the Core Four as they try to make sense of all the supernatural craziness surrounding them.
So far, Ciara Riley Wilson’s breakthrough performance is through her role in Freeridge. The multi-talented performer, who added her middle name Riley to differentiate her from Ciara Wilson, has starred in such flicks as LA’s Finest, Speechless, and Bizaardvark.
Ciara Riley Wilson, from Portland, Oregon, with a background in competitive dance, moved to Los Angeles at the age of 11 with her parents, Jay and Nanette Wilson, to pursue her acting dreams (Credit: Faye’s Vision / Cover Images)
In addition to her part on Grey’s Anatomy, she was the lead in the live-action movie Kim Possible. The 21-year-old has appeared in two music videos by Joshua Bassett and has a modest role in the revival of Quantum Leap.
5. Michael Solomon as Rusty
Rusty, a new classmate of the Core Four, is portrayed by Michael Solomon. Rusty initially interacts with the group for only professional purposes, but he ends up developing a flirtatious friendship with both Gloria and Ines.
Michael Solomon as Rusty and J.R. Villarreal as Tonio on the American teen comedy-drama series Freeridge (Credit: Netflix)
In Boo, Bitch, Michael Solomon makes his first appearance on screen as Jack M.
6. Peggy Blow as Mariluna
On On My Block, Peggy Blow won over audiences as Marisol “Abuelita” Martinez, a lovable grama who was more involved in ganja and antics than knitting.
She makes an unexpected appearance in Freeridge, where she is involved with riddles and mysteries.
Peggy Blow, whose character Marisol “Abuelita” Martinez died during the final season of On My Block, plays Mariluna in Freeridge (Credit: Netflix)
The 70-year-old plays the enigmatic Mariluna in the prequel, and she reveals the cursed nature of the mysterious box.
Peggy Blow had a long and successful career before taking a role in the made-up town of Freeridge, appearing in shows like The Jeffersons, Seinfeld, and 227, as well as Emmy-nominated classics like The Affair and American Crime Story.
7. Paula Garcés and Eric Neil Gutierrez as Geny and Ruben
Paul Garcés, another On My Block original, is also returning to Freeridge as Geny, who long-time viewers may recall as Ruby’s anxious mother.
The Colombian-American actress has previously appeared as an actor in Harold & Kumar movies, the crime thriller The Shield, and the soap opera All My Children. She also served as the Freeridge series Episode 6’s director.
Paula Garces as Geny and Eric Gutierrez as Ruben on the American teen comedy-drama series Freeridge (Credit: Netflix)
Meanwhile, Ruben, Geny’s husband and one of the original On My Block cast members, is portrayed by Eric Neil Gutierrez. Ruben is dealing with losing a loved one, but he could be in for the shock of a lifetime.
In addition to serving as producer for the series, Eric Neil Gutierrez has previously worked on Boo, Bitch.
Along with Paula and Eric, Eme Ikwuakor as Dwayne Turner and Raushanah Simmons as Fran Turner are other On My Block cast members who are back.
Some other cast members with fresh faces include Jami Alix as Cinnamon, Jean Paul San Pedro as Javier, J.R. Villarreal as Tonio, and Zaire Adams as Andre.
Julio Macias, Danny Ramirez, Jessica Maria Garcia, Jason Genao, Sierra Capri, Diego Tinoco, Brett Gray, and Shoshana Bush arrive at the Premiere Of Netflix’s “On My Block” Season 2 at Petty Cash Taqueria on March 27, 2019, in Los Angeles, California (Credit: Milla Cochran / Startraksphoto)
The fresh faces of the teen comedy-drama series Freeridge have captured viewers’ hearts with relatable characters, witty humor, and captivating storylines.
With a talented cast of newcomers and rising stars, the show quickly becomes a fan favorite. Each character adds a unique and refreshing dynamic to the series. So, be sure to tune in and keep an eye out for what’s next from the talented young cast of Freeridge.