You probably know the face. Maybe it was that specific, heart-wrenching scene in One Day at a Time where she comes out to her father, or perhaps you caught her leading a classroom in the recent Head of the Class reboot. Isabella Gomez has this way of feeling like your best friend and the smartest person in the room all at once. Honestly, it’s a rare vibe.
She isn't just a sitcom star. Gomez has been quietly (and sometimes loudly) building a resume that jumps from horror movies to Shakespearean-level family drama. If you've been tracking Isabella Gomez movies and tv shows, you’ve likely noticed she doesn't stay in one lane for long. From her early days in Medellin, Colombia, to becoming a pillar of Latinx representation in Hollywood, her journey is anything but predictable.
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The Breakout: One Day at a Time
Let’s be real. We have to start with Elena Alvarez.
For four seasons, Isabella Gomez played the headstrong, socially conscious, and often delightfully "extra" daughter in the Alvarez household. It wasn't just a job. Gomez has spoken openly about how the role changed her own life, moving her from someone who primarily saw herself as an actor to someone who realized the weight of being a Latinx actor.
The show famously moved from Netflix to Pop TV before finally ending, but the impact of Elena stayed. She was the first person for many young viewers to explain the nuances of gender identity and social justice without feeling like a walking textbook. She was messy. She was funny. She was real.
Moving Into the Lead: Head of the Class
After the emotional rollercoaster of the Alvarez family, Gomez took a massive swing. She stepped into the shoes once held by Howard Hesseman in the 1980s.
In the HBO Max reboot of Head of the Class, she played Alicia Adams.
She was the teacher.
A former "GPA junkie" who had to learn that life isn't just about the grades on a transcript.
The show was light, airy, and centered on Gomez’s "boundless wellspring of charisma," as critics at the AV Club put it. While the series only lasted one season, it proved one vital thing: Isabella Gomez can carry a show on her back. She has that "it" factor where you just want to watch her react to things.
The Darker Side: Horror and Thrillers
Most fans don't realize how much Gomez loves a good scare. She’s been leaning into the "Scream Queen" energy lately.
Take Initiation (2020), for example. It’s a slasher film set on a university campus where a social media outcry triggers a series of murders. It’s gritty. It’s a far cry from the bright living room of One Day at a Time. Then there is The Mannequin, which hit screens and streaming in 2025/2026.
In The Mannequin, Gomez plays Liana Rojas. Liana is a stylist assistant who returns to a haunted building in downtown LA where her sister died. It’s a suspect horror thriller—some critics gave it a 3/10 for the script—but they almost all agreed on one thing: Gomez and the cast were the highlights. They made the dialogue feel like something actual humans would say, even when a haunted mannequin was involved.
A Growing Filmography
If you’re looking to binge-watch, here is the breakdown of the essential Isabella Gomez movies and tv shows you need to have on your radar.
- Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe (2023): She plays Gina Navarro. It’s a beautiful, poetic adaptation of the hit YA novel. While her role is supporting, she brings a necessary groundedness to the world of the two protagonists.
- Royal Rendezvous (2023): A bit of a pivot into the rom-com world. She plays a chef who gets flown to Ireland to cook for a royal gala. It’s "comfort food" television at its best.
- A Cinderella Story: Christmas Wish (2019): Yes, she’s in a Cinderella movie. It’s charming, musical, and shows off her range in a family-friendly format.
- Voice Work: She’s lent her voice to Big Hero 6: The Series and Star vs. the Forces of Evil.
- The Early Years: You can spot her in small roles in Modern Family and Matador if you look closely enough.
The "Privilege" of Being an Immigrant Actor
Isabella moved from Colombia to Orlando and then to LA when she was 17. In several interviews, she’s mentioned that she initially saw herself as "first-gen" before correcting herself—she’s an immigrant. She lived in Colombia until she was 10.
That perspective is what makes her performances feel so textured. She’s not just playing a "type." She told Alicia Menendez on the Latina to Latina podcast that she insists her characters be smart and have something to say. If she’s going to represent Latinx women, they aren't going to be "cardboard cutouts."
What’s Next?
As we move through 2026, Gomez seems to be focusing on projects that challenge her. She’s done the big-budget sitcom. She’s done the indie horror. The consensus among industry insiders is that she’s looking for "prestige" roles—the kind of stuff you see on FX or Apple TV+.
Her recent appearance in Shrinking shows she can hang with heavy hitters like Harrison Ford and Jason Segel. She fits into those ensembles effortlessly.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you want to keep up with Isabella Gomez, don't just wait for the big Netflix announcements. Here is how to actually track her work:
- Check the Indie Circuit: Gomez often does smaller films like The Mannequin that premiere at festivals like ScreamFest before hitting VOD.
- Follow the Guest Spots: She’s a "working actor" in the best sense. She pops up in high-quality shows like With Love and The Goldbergs.
- Watch the Voice Credits: She has a great voice for animation. Keep an eye on new Disney+ or Marvel animated projects where she often lands recurring roles.
The reality is that Isabella Gomez is in that "sweet spot" of her career. She's recognizable enough to lead a project, but versatile enough that we still don't know exactly what her "signature" movie will be. And honestly? That's the most exciting place for an actor to be.
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To see more of her work right now, your best bet is to head over to Apple TV+ or Amazon, where her most recent thrillers and series are currently streaming. Keep an eye out for her name in upcoming casting calls for 2027—she isn't slowing down.