Wealthy Latino Dynasty Primetime Soap ‘Promised Land’ Premieres On ABC

Power, wealth, scandals, family secrets, ambition, betrayal, revenge and immigration are all part of the mix in ABC’s new primetime drama Promised Land, about a multi-generational Latino family pursuing the American dream in California’s Sonoma wine country.

In the first two episodes, the family’s history is slowly revealed through flashbacks, showing the audience the patriarch’s closely guarded secret – one which could have terrible consequences as the past and present intersect, with the future of the family and its successful winery business at stake.

The series, which has an almost all Latino  top-notch cast and creative team, follows the Sandoval family. John Ortiz  (Messiah, Mayans MC) portrays Joe Sandoval, the family patriarch, an immigrant who worked the fields of the Sonoma winery he swore he would one day own, making that dream a reality. He has turned Heritage House into a world-renowned winery. But a lot of things happened along the way.

“This is a good story because it’s interesting. It’s a story that we can all relate to. It’s not only about immigration but also about family, success and also about dreams,” says Cecilia Suárez (House of Flowers, Someone Has to Die), who plays Lettie Sandoval – Joe’s first love, but second wife.

The show’s cast includes Antagonist Bellamy Young (Prodigal Son, Scandal) as Margaret Honeycroft, Joe’s first wife, who is out for revenge. It also stars Christina Ochoa (Valor, Animal Kingdom) as Veronica Sandoval, Augusto Aguilera (The Predator, Too Old To Die Young) as Mateo, Tonatiuh (Vida) as Antonio Sandoval, Mariel Molino (El Juego de las llaves) as Camila Sandoval, Andres Velez as Carlos, Katya Martín as Juana and Rolando Chusan as Billy.

“I think this is a super talented cast,” says Suárez. “I have to give a special mention to John Ortiz, because John is an outstanding leader, outstanding principal actor, an outstanding fellow actor and coworker and a creative force.”

That said, although Ortiz has had many roles in film and television along his 30-year acting career, this is his first lead in a series – and an example of the lack of opportunities many Latino actors have faced in the industry.

A Latino-led cast, creative and writing team provides authenticity to the story and its characters, says actress Christina Ochoa, especially when it comes to the framing of the show’s immigration narrative.

“What we’re doing is we’re showing a spectrum. We’re showing that not every immigrant’s plight is the same. And that, to me, is really important because it draws more empathy from the audiences to really try and understand this human first, character second,” says Ochoa. “We are trying very much to tell these stories from a very emotional and very personal point of view but also absolving them of just making it a politicized statement so that everybody can really look beyond it.”

Promised Land is created, written and executive produced by Matt Lopez, who signed a multi-year overall deal with ABC Signature in November 2021. Adam Kolbrenner and Maggie Malina also serve as executive producers. Executive producer Michael Cuesta also directs. The series is produced by ABC Signature, a part of Disney Television Studios.

Promised Land premieres Monday, January 24 at 10 p.m. ET/PT.