Interview: Mayan Lopez Talks Season 2 Of ‘Lopez vs Lopez’

Just a few months ago, Mayan Lopez wrapped season 2 of Lopez vs Lopez. As creator and star, Lopez, along with showrunner Debby Wolfe breathes new life into the multi-camera comedy that we all know and love. When it debuted in 2022, Lopez vs Lopez gained an audience almost instantly and for good reason.

It showcases the lives of a close-knit Latinx family, and it’s rooted in such specificity that it feels authentic to the community, but its themes feel accessible to everyone, showcasing its undeniable mass appeal. The writers infuse a whole lot of heart into Lopez vs Lopez as it tackles broad subjects. Like its multi-cam predecessors of the 90s (think Roseanne or even The Fresh Prince), Lopez vs Lopez isn’t afraid to get deep into issues such as alcoholism, therapy, and job insecurity, and yet, it’s with such a delicate hand that the show never sacrifices its vibrant comedic voice.

“You don’t want to hit people over the head with it where it’s preachy, but I think that’s where we have found a sweet spot— it’s coming from the truth. The closer to the truth and the reality of these situations, you’re not going to overplay it. You’re really just seeing how these characters would react.”

Awards Radar spoke with Mayan Lopez about the themes of season 2, the universal appeal of Lopez vs Lopez, and what a season 3 looks like.

Niki Cruz: Right after I interviewed you last year, it was announced that Lopez vs Lopez was getting a second season, which was so exciting. And now we’re onto season 3. It’s such a huge accomplishment.

Mayan Lopez: I know! We just felt so good and strong about this season as we were really able to build the family and the emotion. It’s making people laugh and cry, and we love that people see themselves in our family and that we’re connecting. It’s just been such a dream.

NC: You went from season one, which had 22 episodes, to season 2, which had only 10. How did that feel? Were you nervous going into it?

ML: After the strike, it was nine months, so we were a little hesitant to see what was going to be, but the second we got on set, we were really locked in. We were going to make the most out of that 10, and the writers were great. The magic that we had in season one just grew in season two. We felt even more motivated to create really good television. We were grateful to work. We didn’t take it for granted.

NC: Did you know what specific stories and themes you wanted to tell for season two? Did you have discussions with the writers really far out in advance?

ML: Yeah, we were already trying to figure it out when we were wrapped. We definitely knew that we wanted Mayan and Quinten to get engaged, but we also talked about George’s sobriety. We wanted to bring an awareness that when someone is in recovery, you don’t necessarily see the people who around them change. We have the family realize they can’t blame George for everything anymore. Mayan has their own version of who she wants her dad to be. In real life, when that happens to people you have to manage your expectations and accept people for where they’re at. Throughout the whole season, we wanted to see the family’s relationship with George and how it was helping them reveal things about themselves. In the end, it made everyone more connected.

NC: Selenis Leyva, who plays your mother, Rosie, on the show, can do anything. I was so happy to hear she was getting a love interest for season 2. How was it to see that storyline play out?

ML: The incredibly talented Jaime Camil, who is as handsome as he is a wonderful actor, really jumped into our set, which is hard as a recurring actor. In the end, when his tenure was over, we got used to him and missed him. We definitely wanted Rosie to have someone who was kind of funny and looked like George did with the graying hair, but a very handsome version of George. We wanted him to be someone George could be intimidated by. We wanted Rosie to be able to have some luck in love, and as the season went on, it revealed that Josué isn’t “the man,” but it was also a good arc for George as well in that it showed that he cared for her— knowing that the love was still there, he wanted the best for her and the family.

NC: There’s a lot of truth to these stories that you’re telling. You’re playing a version of yourself. Does it ever get meta for you when you’re doing these scenes?

ML: 100%. I call her Shmayan. I call her sitcom Mayan, but I also think of all these wonderful, great sitcoms in the past, like Maude and All In The Family, and they were these families that really went there with some of these topics where they were real life. There are these great sitcoms that are family-based. The George and Mayan relationship and being estranged is a very universal theme, and I think that’s what helps with the show. No matter what, we’re a Latino family, but we’re just a family. Anyone can watch the show and see how there’s a little bit of themselves. I think that’s what helps me. I’ve gotten messages from fans knowing that it’s helping them heal.

NC: You mentioned season three and what you’d like to explore. What do you have in mind for next season?

ML: We’re still figuring it out, but from where we left off in season two, I think there are so many places that we can go. We’re going to keep the viewers very, very surprised. They’re going to have to stick along for the ride.

[This interview was edited for length and clarity.]