Elena is a 12-year-old Cuban American girl who attends middle school and must make her way through the personal and social pressures of adolescence. Told through Elena's narration as written in her diary, the series follows the daily events of her life and her interactions with friends and family. She lives with her older brother, Bobby; and mother, Gabi, who develops a new relationship with Sam, a lawyer from her firm. Elena has a strong desire to become a president of the United States, which is made visible through flashforwards to her political campaign as an adult.
Cast and characters
Main
Tess Romero as Elena Cañero-Reed, a confident and strong-willed 12-year-old Cuban American girl with a desire to become a future president of the United States.
*Gina Rodriguez as Future Elena Cañero-Reed, who is shown through flashforwards to be undertaking a presidential campaign.
Selenis Leyva as Gabriela "Gabi" Cañero-Reed, Elena's widowed mother who works as a lawyer.
Charlie Bushnell as Roberto "Bobby" Cañero-Reed, Elena's rage inducing older brother who is secretly bisexual.
Michael Weaver as Sam Faber, a lawyer at Gabi's firm who she develops a new relationship with.
Brandon Severs as Liam, Bobby's teammate and friend for whom Bobby has feelings.
Gregg Binkley as Dr. Cooper, the school’s Vice Principal.
Guest
Rachel Bloom as Ms. Wexler, an English teacher who catches Elena and Sasha shopping in an intimates store.
Episodes
Production
Development
On January 31, 2019, it was announced that Disney+ had ordered a ten episode first season of a new single-cameracomedy, which was originally titled Diary of a Female President. It was reported that the series was created by Ilana Peña, who would also serve as an executive producer alongisde Gina Rodriguez and Emily Gipson. Robin Shorr was expected to be involved as the showrunner. The series is produced by Rodriguez's company I Can & I Will in association with CBS Television Studios, who sold the series to Disney. CBSchief creative officerDavid Nevins stated that the series was considered to air on The CW, but that it was more ultimately more suitable for the target audience of Disney+. The program was the first scripted series produced by an external studio to be ordered by Disney+. In December 2019, it was revealed that the program's titled had changed to Diary of a Future President. On May 29, 2020, Disney+ renewed the series for a second season.
Writing
The series represents a Latino family, with Elena being referred to as Cuban American in character descriptions. Rodriguez stated that she established her production company in an effort to express stories "for and by the underrepresented". The series has been stated to be inspired by Peña's own childhood.
Casting
In July 2019, executive producer Rodriguez was announced to be playing the adult version of Elena, who appears in flashforwards as she undertakes her political campaign. Rodriguez was also revealed to be directing the first episode of the series. It was also announced that Tess Romero and Charlie Bushnell would be playing siblings Elena and Bobby respectively, while Selenis Leyva was cast as their mother, Gabi; and Michael Weaver as her love interest, Sam.
Filming
Production on the first season began in July 2019 in Los Angeles. It was originally expected that the season would film from June to September.
Release
The first episode was released on the streaming service Disney+, in the United States and internationally on January 17, 2020, in 4KHDR. Further episodes will be released weekly on the service, being distributed every Friday.
Marketing
The first poster was released on December 16, 2019, alongside details of the first two episodes. The first trailer for the series was released on January 6, 2020, with an additional poster also revealed.
Reception
On Rotten Tomatoes, the series holds an approval rating of 100% based on 8 reviews.
