Netflix did a weird thing back in 2021. They ended one of their most beloved, chaotic, and heartwarming teen dramedies, On My Block, but they didn’t actually leave the neighborhood. Instead, they handed the keys to a brand-new group of kids. If you’ve spent any time scrolling through the spinoff, you’ve probably asked yourself: who is the On My Block Freeridge cast?
The transition wasn't exactly seamless. Fans were still mourning the "Core Four"—Ruby, Jamal, Monse, and Cesar. Then, suddenly, we were dropped into the lives of Gloria, Ines, Demi, and Cameron. It felt different. The energy shifted from a high-stakes "will they survive a gang war" vibe to something more mystical, centered around a potentially cursed box. It was a bold move.
Actually, it was a risky move.
The new ensemble had to carry the weight of a massive legacy while establishing their own chemistry. You can tell within the first five minutes that this isn't a carbon copy of the original show. The dynamic is sharper, maybe a bit more cynical, and deeply focused on the friction between two sisters. Let's look at who actually filled those shoes.
The Core Four of the Freeridge Cast
At the heart of the On My Block Freeridge cast is Keyla Monterroso Mejia, who plays Gloria. If she looks familiar, it’s because she basically stole the show in Curb Your Enthusiasm as Maria Sofia, the actress who is famously terrible at acting. In Freeridge, she’s the exact opposite—a high-energy, Type-A leader who is trying to keep her family together after their mother's death.
Then you have Bryana Salaz as Ines. Ines is the younger sister, and honestly, she’s a lot. She’s the classic "little sister" trope but dialed up to eleven. Salaz has a background in music and appeared on The Voice, which explains that stage presence she brings to every scene. The rivalry between Gloria and Ines drives the plot more than any "curse" ever could.
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The rest of the quartet is rounded out by Tenzing Norgay Trainor and Ciara Wilson. Trainor, who plays Cameron, has a lineage that sounds like something out of a movie—he’s the grandson of Tenzing Norgay, one of the first two individuals to reach the summit of Mount Everest. In the show, he’s a bit more grounded, playing a guy struggling with his own relationship issues and sexual identity. Ciara Wilson plays Demi, the group's resident optimist and spiritualist, who is usually the one trying to make sense of the supernatural elements.
Why the Casting Felt So Different This Time
The original On My Block felt like a discovery. Most of those actors were fresh faces. With the On My Block Freeridge cast, Netflix went for a mix of established comedic talent and rising stars.
The tone changed because the actors changed.
Gloria isn't Monse. She isn't trying to be the "voice of reason" in a room full of boys; she’s a whirlwind of anxiety and ambition. The chemistry here is built on fast-paced, overlapping dialogue. It’s "Gilmore Girls" but in a neighborhood where things actually happen. The writers clearly leaned into the specific comedic strengths of these actors, especially Mejia’s ability to use her facial expressions to communicate a thousand words of frustration.
Key Actors in Freeridge and Their Previous Roles
- Keyla Monterroso Mejia (Gloria): You might know her from Abbott Elementary or Curb Your Enthusiasm. She’s become a bit of a go-to for "intense but lovable" characters.
- Bryana Salaz (Ines): She starred in Team Kaylie and has a massive following from her Disney and singing days.
- Tenzing Norgay Trainor (Cameron): A Disney alum from Liv and Maddie. He’s grown up quite a bit since those days.
- Ciara Wilson (Demi): She’s been in Kim Possible and L.A.'s Finest. She brings a certain "zen" energy that the show desperately needs.
The Mystery of the Cursed Box
A lot of people think the show is just a high school drama. It isn't. The central plot hook involves a box that the kids buy at a yard sale—a box that might belong to the legendary Marisol from the original series. This is where the On My Block Freeridge cast gets to play with elements of magical realism.
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Is the curse real? Or are these just kids experiencing the regular misfortunes of being a teenager?
The show plays with this ambiguity. It forces the characters to confront their own superstitions. For Demi, the curse is a spiritual crisis. For Gloria, it’s a logistical nightmare she needs to solve with a spreadsheet. This contrast is where the show finds its humor. It’s less about "Abuelita’s gold" and more about the internal ghosts these characters are carrying.
Returning Faces from the Original Series
You can’t talk about the On My Block Freeridge cast without mentioning the connective tissue. Peggy Blow returns, but not as the Marisol we knew. She plays a new character, Marilanni, who claims to be Marisol’s sister. It’s a bit of a head-trip for fans of the original.
Seeing familiar faces like Paula Garcés (Geny Martinez) and Eric Nielsen (Danny) helps ground the spinoff in the same universe. It’s a reminder that while the kids are new, the neighborhood hasn't changed. The drama at the local high school is still the same, and the stakes of living in Freeridge remain high, even if the primary threat this time around is a supernatural one rather than the Santos.
The Complexity of the Siblings
The relationship between Gloria and Ines is probably the most "human" thing about the show. It’s messy. It’s loud. It’s frequently annoying.
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Most TV sisters are either best friends or mortal enemies. These two are both, sometimes in the same scene. One minute they are plotting to save their father from a perceived threat, and the next, they are screaming at each other in the school hallway. The On My Block Freeridge cast had to sell this bond because if you don't believe in the sisters, the show falls apart.
Honestly, the "curse" often feels like a metaphor for the grief they haven't processed. Their mother is gone, their father is dating again, and they are taking all that pain out on each other. It’s a sophisticated layer that the actors handle with a lot of grace, even when they’re doing physical comedy.
Where Are They Now?
Since the show's one-season run, the members of the On My Block Freeridge cast have stayed busy. Keyla Monterroso Mejia is everywhere right now, continuing her streak as one of the funniest young women in Hollywood. Tenzing Norgay Trainor has continued to take on more mature roles, distancing himself from his Disney Channel roots.
The show was canceled after eight episodes, which left a lot of fans frustrated. There were so many loose ends. What was actually in the box? Did the curse ever get lifted? We might never get those answers on screen, but the impact of the show remains. It was a brief, bright moment that tried to do something different with a familiar setting.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans of the Franchise
If you’re diving back into the world of Freeridge or just discovering it for the first time, here is how to get the most out of the experience:
- Watch for the Easter Eggs: There are dozens of nods to the original On My Block hidden in the background of scenes. Look at the posters on the walls and the names of local businesses.
- Follow the Cast on Social Media: Many of the actors, particularly Bryana Salaz and Keyla Monterroso Mejia, share behind-the-scenes stories that clarify some of the "mysteries" the show left behind.
- Contextualize the "Curse": Don't take the supernatural elements literally. Try viewing the "cursed box" as a representation of the characters' internal baggage. It makes the ending much more poignant.
- Appreciate the Soundtracks: Like its predecessor, Freeridge features an incredible lineup of Latinx artists and West Coast hip-hop that helps define the vibe of the neighborhood.
The On My Block Freeridge cast brought a fresh perspective to a world we thought we already knew. While the show's life was short, the talent involved is clearly going places. It’s a testament to the fact that you can change the players, but the spirit of a place like Freeridge is hard to kill.