Muñequitos have a unique way of shaping us at a young age. For many, the show “Dora the Explorer” was a cornerstone of their childhood. Latino kids saw someone who looked like them, while others learned snippets about our culture. 

In April, Paramount+ rebooted the iconic children’s show. Latinidad Collective chatted with the cast, who shared their thoughts on the upcoming season. 

They also reflected on the nostalgia of the original show and the excitement of new adventures Dora and her crew have ahead.

Kathleen Herles, the original voice of Dora, talks about her sense of nostalgia and joy on being back

Herles, who plays Dora’s mom in the new series, expressed her joy at returning to the show after so many years.

“I think, you know, coming back from the, the original show, it was really special for me when I didn’t think the show would come back so many years later,” the voice actress of Peruvian descent said.

She continued, “And then even to be a part of it, as Dora’s mom, as ‘Mami,’ is, is like a full circle moment for me, and I couldn’t be happier. And to see, you know, all the similarities and also some of the differences, I think, is really special.”

Diane Zermeño, Dora’s new voice, and Asher Spence, Boots’ new voice, echoed Herles’ sentiments.

“I mean, it, it feels so great to be part of the show because it’s, it’s a really big and important show, in general. And it just — it feels like a great honor to be part of it,” Zermeño adds.

Spence shared how much fun he’s had working on the show. 

“It’s been such an honor, and I learned so much from it. I’ve learned, like, the basics of Spanish, like, I learned my colors like ‘azul,’ ‘rojo,’ and ‘amarillo.’ And like, I learned ‘hola,’ ‘gracias,’ and ‘amigos.’ It’s been such an honor ‘cuz I learned so much,” he remarked.

The “DORA” cast believes that fans will “love” the new show because they love it 

When asked about the new season, Herles said she hopes fans will love it as much as they did the original.

“I think, you know, the, the spirit and the heart of the show is still the same. The adventures are new, but, you know, the world is the same. And I think they’re going to fall in love with ‘DORA’ all over again,” the voice actress asserts.

Zermeño added, “I hope they love the same things they loved all those years ago when it first came out. I hope then they have that same feeling of joy when they watch it.” 

The young voice actress also hopes kids can take away new things with each episode.

“And I just hope, you know, when little kids are watching it, that maybe they learn a new word with each episode or they learn how to do something new,” she notes.