Miami isn’t called the Magic City for nothing. From pristine beaches to bright lights and never-ending nightlife, there’s always a party going on. Soon, you’ll get to experience it through the world of reggaeton in the upcoming comedy Neon. In fact, your journey starts now with the new trailer, which you can watch above.
Co-created by executive producers Shea Serrano and Max Searle, who also serves as showrunner, Neon follows three friends who move from a small town in Florida to Miami with the hopes of making it big in the world of reggaeton. The show chronicles not only their larger-than-life dreams but the harsh comic realities of navigating the music industry.
“We’re starting from the bottom,” Emmy-winning director Oz Rodriguez, who helmed Neon’s series premiere, tells Tudum. “The fact that it was the story about these Latino kids trying to make it [excited me]… They’re not there yet, but they’re chasing the bright neon lights.”
But you can’t tell a story about reggaeton without the “King of Reggaeton” himself, Daddy Yankee. Not only does the award-winning, global music star serve as an executive producer on Neon, but he will also cameo in the show.
Check out the first teaser for Neon above — and keep reading below for more photos and to learn everything else you should know about the eight-episode comedy.
All eight episodes of Neon Season 1 will premiere on Oct. 19.
The show’s trio of best friends includes: Tyler Dean Flores as Santi, a budding artist who hopes to become the biggest reggaeton star in the world; Emma Ferreira (Unstable) as his manager Ness; and Jordan Mendoza (Kaleidoscope) as Felix. Insecure’s Courtney Taylor plays Mia, an A&R rep who takes an interest in Santi.
The foursome’s effortless chemistry inspired Rodriguez as he directed the show’s first episode. “When you see these characters together, you’re like, ‘Oh, this fits,’ ” he teases.
The rest of the cast includes: Santiago Cabrera as Oscar, Jordana Brewster as Gina, Genesis Rodriguez as Isa, Zack Fox as Zale, Jhayco as Javier Luna, and Villana as herself.
You can meet the cast in these new photos below.
Serrano is a journalist and former teacher known for his books The Rap Year Book, Basketball (and Other Things), and Movies (and Other Things). He also executive produced the AMC series Hip Hop: The Songs That Shook America. Joining Serrano and Searle as executive producers on Neon are Scooter Braun, James Shin, and Scott Manson for SB Projects, and Anne Clements. Kyle Vinuya and Demi Adejuyigbe are set to co-executive produce and Jordan Mendoza serves as consulting producer.
Grammy Award–winning reggaeton producer Tainy, Lex Borrero, and Ivan Rodriguez — all from Ntertain and Neon16 and collectively known as Tainy & One Six — are on board as executive music producers. The trio is writing and producing original songs for the series. Additionally, music supervisors are One Six of Neon16 and Ntertain and Joe Rodriguez and Javier Nuno of Indice.
Rodriguez says to expect “bangers” in the Neon soundtrack. “The fact that Tainy is involved, I think just it makes it a cut above other things. I consider the songs to be really good songs,” he says. “I hope people like them.”
The Neon official playlist is out now on Spotify and Apple Music, featuring music from and inspired by the series including the original song “Exagerao” produced by Tainy.
Watch out, Bad Bunny and J Balvin — there’s going to be a new star taking the stage soon.
Additional reporting by Ariana Romero.
