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Shakira Barrera Ironheart
Photo: Instagram/@shakirabarrera
News and Entertainment

Nicaraguan Actress Shakira Barrera to Star in Marvel’s ‘Ironheart’ on Disney+

by Sofía Aguilar

From Zoe Saldaña in Guardians of the Galaxy to Jessica Alba in the Fantastic Four to Salma Hayek in Eternals, it’s incredibly empowering to see people who look like us on the big screen. And thankfully, there seem to be no signs of stopping. Next on the Marvel slate, there’s Bad Bunny, who will be the first Latino to lead a live-action Marvel film, María Mercedes Coroy and Mabel Cadena in the upcoming Black Panther sequel, and most recently, Shakira Barrera (GLOW, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D) in Marvel’s Ironheart television show on Disney+. This week, the entertainment giant announced that the dancer and actress, who is of Nicaraguan descent, will join the series in an undisclosed role as part of the main cast, according to Deadline. The show’s six episodes are expected to premiere in late 2023 as part of Phase Five of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Though Marvel reps declined to comment on the news according to Deadline, Barrera excitedly shared it on social media.

“I feel so unbelievably blessed 🥹,” Barrera said in an Instagram post announcing the news. “Everyone involved….thank you for making this a reality. I am working with an absolute dream team. I can’t wait until y’all get to watch this. If anyone is discouraged or losing hope, this one’s for you! Keep going….YOU GOT THIS. MARVEL baby!!!!!! We did it!!!!! 🦾🦾”

 

Ironheart, the latest in the line-up of Marvel TV shows, follows the Marvel character Riri Williams, an engineering student who creates a suit of armor that surpasses the power of Tony Stark’s Iron Man suit at just 15 years old. She is notable for being one of the few bisexual Black characters in the MCU. Actress Dominique Thorne (If Beale Street Could Talk), who is of Trinidadian descent, will play the titular role and make her film debut in the upcoming Black Panther sequel.
In addition to Berrera, fellow Latinx cast members will include Puerto Rican American actor Anthony Ramos (In the Heights, Hamilton, A Star is Born), and Mexican American actor Manny Montana (Westworld, Good Girls). Additional cast members include Alden Ehrenreich, Regan Aliyah, Shea Couleé, and Zoe Terakes.
Barrera has been open about the importance of Latinx representation on screen and was proud of the diversity showcased on GLOW which ran for three seasons on Netflix. “When I watched Season 1 I wanted a Latin person on there,” she previously told TV Insider. “I’m honored that it’s me. I’m Nicaraguan-American. With so many things going on socially and politically in the world right now it’s really nice and refreshing that people can see me and know it’s possible.

No premiere date has been announced yet but Ironheart will be available to stream in late 2023 on Disney+.


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