Where in the world is Carmen Sandiego? Look no further than Netflix! In January, the network debuted a brand-new Carmen Sandiego animated series starring Gina Rodriguez (Jane the Virgin, Annihilation, Miss Bala) as the titular character. For many millennials (including me), this series has been a welcome entrant to the admittedly crowded nostalgia genre.
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You can call me Carmen. Carmen Sandiego on Netflix tomorrow!!!! #bingeaway
For the uninitiated, Carmen Sandiego is an edutainment franchise that started as a series of video games and spawned several television series. The new series follows Carmen, a well-traveled Latina agent, as she attempts to take down various henchpeople. While the video games were fun (at least, what my 8-year-old self thought of as fun), they also helped a generation of fans learn geography without even realizing it. Carmen Sandiego is a cultural icon, and the website thecarmeneffect.com breaks down exactly what that means.
Despite Carmen’s unconventional tactics and sometimes questionable morals, she inspired us to find our independence as well as explore our wanderlust. She’s also a style icon! Ne’er a Halloween has gone by without someone donning that iconic red trench and hat. From the pop culture references to that catchy theme song that is for sure in your head now (I’m so sorry), Carmen Sandiego has made her mark.
Not only has Netflix debuted the animated series, but Rodriguez will also be playing Carmen in the live-action full-length movie, also from Netflix.
If you were a fan of Carmen back in the day and haven’t watched the new series yet, get thee to Netflix, stat! No spoilers, but I’ve seen the whole thing and it is so well-done, very funny, and incredibly feminist.
Image Source: Netflix
This post was originally published on GetLiterary.com.