New Dora Abuela Maria Canals-Barrera on the Explorer’s Impact on Kids

Kids of a certain era might recall growing up with the name “Dora” everywhere. At least, it was everywhere on children’s programming, with Nickelodeon exploding in popularity thanks to the beloved “explorer,” who is back in action these days with an animated reboot. Joining its voice cast is famed TV actress Maria Canals-Barrera, who MovieWeb recently interviewed amid the release of her wacky new film Seven Cemeteries. She opened up to us about everything she’s kept busy with recently, on both the big and small screen, including her personal connection to Dora.

“What’s funny is, my grandmother’s name was Dora, and my sister is named after my grandmother. And I knew no one named Dora growing up. I’m from Miami of Cuban heritage, and it’s not a completely uncommon name, but it’s just very rare,” said Canals-Barrera. “So when the show originally came out, I said to my sister, ‘Look! There’s a show named after you and Grandma.’And I think Pablo Picasso’s lover was named Dora… So I’m, of course, very excited to be part of the new Dora.”

Canals-Barrera also opened up about the original show’s historical significance:

“It really introduced so many young kids to Latin heritage. And, you know, not just this general hodgepodge of Latino-ness mixed in one pot. It got specific. And this one is even more specific, I think, like the fact that… her mom is of Peruvian and Mexican heritage, and her dad is of Cuban heritage. So I’m the Cuban grandma who incorporates not just her Cuban-ness, but also Mexican culture, Mexican cuisine, which we all love, and all kinds of music, terrific music.”

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Reviving the ‘Wholesome’ Dora

In this diamond age of television with the plethora of TV-MA-rated series available to the masses, Canals-Barrera — a mother of two — is happy that kid-friendly shows like Dora are still around and thriving. “My kids are now 21 and 19, but I remember when they were younger, being concerned about what they watched… some things that they shouldn’t be watching. So, as a mom, I’m relieved that Dora is so wholesome and so sweet with everything, good, inspiring, pure, true,” she said, adding:

There’s only a good 10 years where kids can have complete, sweet, wholesome innocence nowadays, with so much out there, and I’m proud to be part of something that can give them that.

And then there’s Seven Cemeteries, her more adult-suited movie that was just released in time for the spooky season. It also stars Danny Trejo, as an antihero of sorts who seeks help from a wise-cracking witch (Canals-Barrera) to bring his old ragteam back from the dead in order to battle villainous druglords. The Western horror movie also has a wonderful little comedic edge, thanks to Canals-Barrera’s talents. “I love when dramas, and especially something called a horror film, incorporates comedic moments, because that’s how we deal with life,” she told us. “So it’s very realistic, and I think it just adds another layer of fun, which is why I think it’s such a great movie to go see during this Halloween time, especially.”

From Quiver Distribution, Seven Cemeteries is now available on demand and digital.

Dora

Release Date April 12, 2024

Creator(s) Chris Gifford

Cast Diana Zermeño , Asher Spence , Katarina Sky , Anairis Quinones , Danny Burstein , Marc Weiner

Writers Alejandro Bien-Willner

Streaming Service(s) Paramount+

Franchise(s) Dora the Explorer

Directors Valerie Walsh

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