Summary
"Neon" is a comedy TV series on Netflix about an aspiring reggaeton artist and his friends trying to make it in the music industry.
The show garnered praise from critics and secured a place on Netflix's esteemed "Top 10 TV Shows" list. Leading the cast are Tyler Dean Flores as Santi, Emma Ferreira as Ness, Jordan Mendoza as Felix, and Courtney Taylor as Mia, with noteworthy cameo appearances by Daddy Yankee and Scooter Braun.
Neon is a comedy television series centered around Santi, an aspiring reggaeton artist, and his close-knit group of friends who are determined to support his music career. Released on October 19, 2023, all eight episodes of the show are available on Netflix. With its primary focus on the three friends, the series features a small main cast and a larger supporting cast. Following its premiere, Neon received mostly positive reviews from critics and has garnered enough viewership to be included in the "Top 10 TV Shows" list on the streaming platform.
Created by Shea Serrano and Max Searle, Neon had notable executive producers such as Scooter Braun and Daddy Yankee. Set in Miami, the show follows Santi and his friends Ness and Felix as they assist him in achieving success as a reggaeton singer. Reggaeton is an electronic music style popularized in Puerto Rico. Throughout the eight episodes, viewers are introduced to various cast members, with four billed as series regulars and the others either part of the supporting cast or special guests.
Tyler Dean Flores As Santi
Tyler Dean Flores headlines as Santi, the main character of the 2023 comedy series Neon on Netflix. Santi, originally hailing from Fort Myers, relocates to Miami alongside his closest companions in the first episode, driven by his aspirations of becoming a renowned reggaeton artist. Naturally, Santi faces numerous challenges within the series, confronting the hardships of the music industry and the obstacles of breaking into the reggaeton scene.
Prior to joining the cast of Neon on Netflix, Flores garnered recognition through various other projects. The actor appeared in notable films including The Dark Knight Rises, Already Gone, Reefa, The Birthday Cake, Alone at Night, and Miguel Wants to Fight. Additionally, he showcased his talents in television shows such as Chicago Fire, Blindspot, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Blue Bloods, Glimpse, and When They See Us. However, Flores gained significant acclaim for his portrayal of Diego, a member of the Flag Smashers in the Marvel Disney+ series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.
Emma Ferreira As Ness
Emma Ferreira is a prominent member of the main cast on Neon, the comedy television series available on Netflix. She portrays the character Vanessa, known as Ness, in the show, which premiered in 2023. Ness is one of Santi's closest friends and accompanies him on his journey to Miami to pursue a career in the reggaeton music industry. Despite her lack of experience in the field, Ness takes on the role of Santi's music manager, guiding him throughout his endeavors, sometimes to the detriment of herself and their friends.
In addition to her role on Neon, Ferreira has also appeared in several short films, including Leo, Enthralled, and The Furious Five. She played the characters Selma in Learn to Swim and Anthea in Midnight at the Paradise. Furthermore, Ferreira has made appearances on television shows such as Transplant and Unstable, both available on Netflix.
Jordan Mendoza As Felix
Felix, portrayed by Jordan Mendoza, is an integral part of the central friend group in Neon. In the 2023 Netflix comedy series, Felix assists Santi in his pursuit of a reggaeton music career. As Santi's artistic director and social media manager, Felix joins his friends on a journey to Miami, where they strive to establish themselves in the music industry. With his role as the creative mind behind Santi's music videos, Felix plays a crucial role in their endeavors.
Jordan Mendoza, known to Neon viewers, has appeared in various previous projects. He has showcased his acting skills in movies like Problemista and No Hard Feelings. However, Mendoza's expertise lies in television, having made appearances in shows such as Eva vs. Anxiety, ZIWE, Maurice on Mars, and Kaleidoscope. Additionally, Mendoza has been cast as Dylan in the upcoming Peacock film by the comedy group Please Don't Destroy, titled Please Don't Destroy: The Treasure of Foggy Mountain.
Courtney Taylor As Mia
Courtney Taylor, who portrays Mia in the Netflix comedy show, completes the main cast. Mia makes her entrance in episode 1 of season 1 of Neon, where she is depicted as an employee at one of the prominent reggaeton labels. Following conversations with Santi, Ness, and Felix, Taylor's character expresses the desire to sign Santi to the renowned record company, BPM Records. However, both Mia and Santi are yet to prove themselves in the music industry, with Mia presently serving as an assistant at the label.
Before her role as Mia in Neon, Taylor has appeared in various other television series. Fans of the Netflix comedy may remember her from Single & Anxious, Insecure, Send Help, Abbott Elementary, or The Company You Keep. Furthermore, she can also be seen as Grace in The Invitation, a horror film released in 2022.
Neon Supporting Cast & Characters
Genesis Rodriguez plays the role of Isa in Neon, alongside Tyler Dean Flores, Emma Ferreira, Jordan Mendoza, and Courtney Taylor. Isa is a renowned Cuban-American pop star who forms a connection with Santi in the Netflix series. Rodriguez has also appeared in Entourage, Man on a Ledge, Casa de Mi Padre, What to Expect When You're Expecting, Identity Thief, and The Umbrella Academy.
Santiago Cabrera takes on the role of Oscar, Mia's boss at the record label, in Neon on Netflix. Cabrera is known for his performances in Dexter, Heroes, Merlin, The Musketeers, Salvation, and Star Trek: Picard.
Alycia Pascual-Peña plays the role of Celeste, a music critic who reviews Santi's music, in the 2023 comedy television series. Pascual-Peña has also appeared in Moxie, Chase, The Plug, and The Neighborhood, but she is best known for her role as Aisha Garcia in Saved by the Bell.
Jordana Brewster portrays Gina, a wealthy investor who crosses paths with Santi, Ness, and Felix in Neon. Fans may recognize Brewster from her portrayal of Mia Toretto in the Fast & Furious franchise. Additionally, she has appeared in As the World Turns, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning, Dallas, American Crime Story, and Lethal Weapon.
Ruben Rabasa portrays Eduardo, a Miami grocery store owner, in the Netflix show. The actor is known for his roles in Amigos, I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson, This Is Us, Criminal Minds, and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.
Jhayco, a Puerto Rican rapper and singer, makes his acting debut in Neon as Javier Luna. Luna is a renowned reggaeton artist and musician-magician who develops a rivalry with Santi.
The Netflix comedy series showcases an abundance of special guest stars, including Daddy Yankee, Scooter Braun, Ken-Y, Jon Z, Jota Rosa, Brray, Lyanno, Jowell, and Villano Antillano, who make appearances as themselves. Moreover, Daddy Yankee and Braun hold the roles of executive producers for Neon.