Despite it being early in her career,Xochitl Gomezhas already made a splash in Hollywood, with some major movies and television shows in her young journey as an actor. After appearing in various local theater productions and student films, she secured her first professional role inRaven’s Home, the spin-off of one ofDisney Channel’s best original shows,That’s So Raven. Gomez went on to have a role inShadow Wolves,Gentefied, andYou’re the Worst, though these were all minor parts.
Her first major role came in 2020 when she was cast as one of the main characters in Netflix’sThe Baby-Sitters Club, the latest adaptation of the popular novel series. Following her first major role, Gomez landed the part of America Chavez inDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, a major entry intothe MCU timeline, and a significant character for the universe as a whole.
Shadow Wolves
Cast
Shadow Wolves is a 2019 film about a rogue NSA agent who collaborates with an elite group of Native American trackers known as the Shadow Wolves. Together, they undertake missions aimed at safeguarding justice both domestically and internationally.
Not that great of a film in its own right,Shadow Wolvestells the story of a rogue NSA agent who joins an elite group of Native American trackers called Shadow Wolves as they operate in the US and abroad. The story itself is quite engaging and some of the action inShadow Wolvesis well done, but the performances from nearly everyone involved aren’t that great, really bringing down the whole film in the process. Still, the movie is an important part of Xochitl Gomez’s career.
Shadow Wolveswas the first film role for Gomezas she plays Chucky, the precocious daughter of Graham Greene’s Nabahe and Kimberly Guerrero’s Naomi. She is one of the movie’s standouts despite not having that big of a role, and her engaging personality shines through in her performance.
Focusing on the tumultuous relationship between a self-involved writer and a self-destructive PR executive,You’re the Worstis an effective dramedy series that shines with its clever writing and the undeniable chemistry of its two leads. The show ran for a total of five seasons and only continued to get better as it went along, as the writers really found what worked, with a mix of sincerity and comedic moments that could make anyone laugh.
You’re the Worstwas nominated several times for Best Comedy Series at the Critics' Choice Television Awards.
Xochitl Gomez’s role inYou’re the Worstis minimal, as she only appears in one episode of season 5 and her character isn’t even named in it.More than her performance, it shows that Gomez was trying to get her name out thereafter only having one role prior toYou’re the Worst. Her work in various small roles would eventually prove fruitful after securing a major role inThe Baby-Sitters Cluband then the MCU.
Following three Mexican American cousins who struggle for their American Dream,Gentefiedis a smartly written, poignant dramedy series. The show exposes the harsh reality of gentrification in urban areas while hilariously exploring the lives of its well-realized characters.Gentefiedmarches to the beat of its own drum, creating an enjoyable series that really does have a lot on its mind in relation to its entire premise.
Like most of her roles prior toThe Baby-Sitters ClubandDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Xochitl Gomez only appears briefly inGentefied, as she plays the younger version of Karrie Martin Lachney’s Ana Morales, one of the show’s main characters.Despite it being a small role, it is important to the character of Ana as a whole, as she looks back on her memories of when she first realized that she liked girls, a major aspect of the character inGentefied.
Raven’s Home
Created by Michael Poryes and Susan Sherman, Raven’s Home is a sitcom that has appeared on the Disney Channel for six seasons starting in 2017. The premise follows a grown-up Raven Baxter from That’s So Raven, now a mother and still navigating life with her psychic abilities.
A spin-off of the hit Disney seriesThat’s So Ravenfrom 2003 through 2007,Raven’s Homebrought the titular character back alongside her best friend Chelsea. The series follows Raven and Chelsea, both divorced moms who live together with their kids in Chicago, and their lives are turned upside down when Raven’s son, Booker, learns he has the same psychic powers as his mother.
Raven’s Homewas actually the professional debut for Xochitl Gomez, as she appeared in two episodes of the show. She plays the school’s unnamed journalist in season 2, and does a great job. More than anything, Gomez’s emersion into the world of acting was probably helped out quite a bit by being in a show likeRaven’s Home, which was successful during its run.
The Baby-Sitters Club
Based on the best-selling book series by Ann M. Martin, The Baby-Sitters Club is a contemporary dramedy that follows the friendship and adventures of seven friends as they start their own babysitting business in Stoneybrook, Connecticut. As demand for their club continues to grow, founders Kristy Thomas, Mary-Anne Spier, Claudia Kishi, Stacey McGill, and Dawn Schafer have now welcomed Mallory Pike and Jessi Ramsey to their ranks. With the new school year comes booming business, new relationships, personal journeys, and important lessons, but the club is there for each other every step of the way.
Serving as a reboot of the 1990s series and an adaption of the novel series of the same name,The Baby-Sitters Clubwas able to bring its source material to modern audiences while still remaining faithful. The series follows a group of five middle-school friends who decide to start their own babysitting business. Never talking down to its audience,The Baby-Sitters Clubwas sincere and hopeful.Plus, it was the first major starring role for Xochitl Gomez.
Cancelled Baby-Sitters Club Creator Says Female Audiences Are Undervalued
Following its Netflix cancellation, The Baby-Sitters Club’s Rachel Shukert contrasts its treatment with male-aimed IP like Star Wars & Spider-Man.
Dawn Schafer was a major part ofThe Baby-Sitters Club, as she had just recently moved to Stoneybrook, Connecticut from Los Angeles, and was friends with Malia Baker’s Mary Anne Spier. The character is an alternate officer in the club and Gomez portrayed the character before she was recast in season 2 due to scheduling conflicts withDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Gomez does a wonderful job as the character and shows her promise as an actress in a major role.
Doctor Strange In the Multiverse of Madness
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness follows Doctor Strange as he navigates diverse and perilous alternate realities in the Multiverse with the aid of mystical allies. Directed by Sam Raimi, this installment of the Marvel Cinematic Universe introduces a mysterious new adversary.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madnessmarked the first timeSam Raimi would direct a superhero filmsince his original Spider-Man trilogy ended in 2007, and he did an excellent job. The film opened up the MCU’s multiverse in bigger ways than ever before while being a thrilling, scary, and overall great addition to the sprawling cinematic universe. Raimi’s visual flourishes were on full display, capturing the frightening power of the Scarlet Witch and introducing America Chavez into the MCU.
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Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
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America Chavez was an integral part ofDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, given her ability to travel the multiverse, a power that the Scarlet Witch desperately wanted and hunted her down for. Xochitl Gomez does a fantastic job in the role, and her youthful energy works well against Benedict Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange.The film was much bigger than anything the actress had been in up to that point in her career,and she rose to the occasion wonderfully. Given that America Chavez could be a major character going forward, it’s reasonable to assumeXochitl Gomezwill be back.
